Friday, September 19, 2008

~A Letter To Heaven~












Dear Danny,

Your oldest son, Jonathan, got married on Saturday.
I know you are very proud of him. He married an angel. Her name is Ashley. She sparkles. All the time. And she really loves your son. You must have had some hand in their meeting, as I believe they are a 'match made in heaven', to be sure.

The wedding was perfect. Ashley's Great Uncle is a priest, so he said the mass. She's Italian, Dan. Isn't that something? And your wife, Kay. Well...she sparkled too, but there was a sadness I could see behind her eyes. She misses you. We all miss you, Dan.

I particularly felt your presence in that beautiful church. Joshua (youngest son) felt it too. We talked about it afterwards. There was a point during the ceremony that Jonathan caught Joshua's eye.....just for a second.....and Joshua said he was certain you were there. Watching. From heaven.

They missed their honeymoon in St. Lucia because of the winds driven by Hurricane Ike. They were really bummed. Did you have a hand in that, too, to keep your son and his new little bride safe? I bet you did!

All four of your step-children were there. With their own kids. They're all beautiful Dan, and doing so well. It's because of you, ya know. You stepped into their lives when they were all small. You raised them like they were your own. They all talked about you. They all acknowledge what you did for them.

Mom is doing 'okay'. She misses you terribly. We talk about you often. Her alzheimer's flares badly at times. But you already know that. Kathy took her pictures from the wedding on Sunday. Even yesterday when I visited her, we talked about Jonathan and Ashley, Kay, the kids.....you.

Do you hear me when I'm driving and praying and talking to you out loud? Do you see me cry when I think of you? Please know that we are all okay. Oh.....I'm a grandmother now!! I don't 'feel' old enough to be one. But I am. Who knew it would be so amazing? Jeff and Jackie have two beautiful children. You'd love them. They'd adore you.

Please say hello to dad. Let him know that I 'smell' his cigarette smoke every-once-in-a-while and I smile. I just know he's playing a lot of golf, and still cheering for the Browns and his beloved Indians. Tell him Kathy and I still sing, "Today Is Monday" and giggle. I miss him.

I love you, Dan. Kiss the angels for me, 'kay? And if God lends you his laptop....do ya think you can shoot me just one itty bitty email to let me know you're okay? Tell Him I'd really appreciate it.

Love 'From Here All The Way to Heaven',

Your Sister Carol

P.S. If there are any elves running around up there with nothing to do....can you please ask God to send them here for just 2 weeks. I could really use them, and would be ever grateful! xoxoxo

***Stop over at Pampering Beki's Blog to read other blogger's interpretations of FingerPrint Friday, that echos Stephen Curtis Chapman's song!***

24 comments:

Mel said...

beautiful...just...beautiful...your words...your life...your heart...

xxoo

Anonymous said...

Carol, what a beautiful post. I'm sure Dan is so proud of his sister. He IS with you....every day.

Hugs, Judie

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

Mel...Thank you for being part of that life for so very long. xoxox

Judie...You're right. He is! Hugs back at cha!

SandyCarlson said...

Oh, my goodness. This gave me the chills. You are such a loving person. This is a beautiful post.

Louise said...

This is beautiful. Thank you for stopping by my blog and commenting. I'm so glad I found this!

Beki - TheRustedChain said...

God bless you and the new couple.

This was a beautiful post

Rebekah said...

Very touching post. The pictures of the bride & groom are lovely, as well.

artsyclay said...

Some days are just really hard without the ones we love being physically here ... and yet how good to know they are with us in spirit. Very beautiful photos and post.

So glad you are ok and that your power is back on.

Jeni said...

I'm thinking today -or yesterday -must have been days that brought lots of special memories to the minds of so many bloggers and also, to some of my family and e-mail connections cause so many are mentioning times, people now gone from our lives. A dear cousin of mine reminded me today that Saturday would be her Dad's 103rd birthday and just her words, thinking of him gone now close to 30 years, brought tears to my eyes for the wonderful man he'd been!
As I hope my Uncle is looking down on his daughter, on me and my kids too, and yes, I do believe he is, I'm sure your brother has a constant presence for his family -you, children, everyone.
Just an awesome post to conjure up memories in anyone who reads it, I'm sure. It did that for me anyway.

Deb said...

Good Morning ~ Beautiful letter, beautiful young couple. I started my blogging day here at your 'cottage' where I always feel welcome. Thank you for creating such a warm blog. Take care.

Anonymous said...

Some couples are just PERFECT !!!!

And you ,too,dear Carol !!!!

Perhaps you will remember me,i´m Caroline from Germany.Bought some jewelery on ebay from you. And i´m a very silent reader.Love your blog,keep going :)

Woman in a Window said...

Gorgeous pictures. She really is sparkling.

I hope one day we do get to meet them all again, even if it's just for one more big family meal. The kind when an older brother can flip you upside the head and it only elicits laughter.

Fransiska Ike said...

Very touching post. I hope you and your family happy forever.

maryt/theteach said...

Gee Carol, I can see how much you miss your brother...

Celebration of Life said...

Carol,
What a beautiful post you have today; it made me want to cry and yet it is so full of the love you have for your brother and dad. I can feel your pain and your love.
Jo

Ballerina Girl said...

Wow, I don't think I know any of you and I have tears in my eyes!
This was a heart touching post...thank you for sharing. I am sure that your brother "heard"
Beautiful couple...may they walk in happiness together
BG

Shrinky said...

I have a huge lump in my throat. Such a moving, genuine and beautifully loving letter Carol.

(Big hugs, bonny lass)

Tanya said...

So touching. What a beautiful beautiful post.

Jenny said...

That is wonderful!
Jenny

Lynne Bolar Clark said...

Carol, you write so beautifully!

Jules~ said...

Carol, you brought tears to my eyes. What a tender and wonderful post. Thank you for sharing your heart here and being so transparent.

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

My SIL, Kay, had trouble posting her comment...and I think it's too much a part of this whole letter to leave off, so I'm posting it for her:

" wanted you let you know that I read your blog. I tried to add a comment on line but I don’t think I was successful. Anyway……I got your e-mail about the letter and started reading it at work. Of course I started to cry and had to stop and didn’t have a chance (didn’t want to read it until I could be in a quiet place) to read it again until the weekend. I have to tell you how beautiful it was and how it captured the spirit of the day. I am sure that Dan was there and saw Jonathan and Ashley get married. Gosh, I’m getting teary just writing about it. I don’t know when I will never get teary over Dan. I miss him so much.

I hope you don’t mind. I sent the site to Jonathan, Ashley and Shannon. They all loved it.



I love the blog. I have never read any before and I branched off from yours and read others and now when I have a few minutes I read other blogs. It’s so neat. Thanks for introducing me to them.

Good Luck on getting all of your dolls and jewelry ready for the show next week. I wish I could help you with the elves.

Love, Kay"

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

I love you, Kay! I wish we lived closer...for LOTS of reasons!

I'm so glad you passed this on to the kids. It's from my heart. It was a beautiful day. One I'll never forget. I know Dan won't either.

Sam I Am said...

awww carol..
this is soo touching..
sniff..
teary..