We are all back at 42 East Main Street. It is Christmas time and we have put up a few decorations. The crew finally found a tree and set it up in the usual place. I put about 700 lights on it yesterday but we've decided to leave the ornaments off this year. This Christmas is different, harder, sadder, but we are "home", except for one, and we will find help and comfort with each other and the Lord.
Like Elizabeth, I will not write much about last Tuesday and Wednesday. Not yet. The one part of the interment which was so gripping was the fly over by the four Blackhawks. We were just seated and the four flew over the grave site. And we cried because we remembered he was a pilot who could operate that huge machine over deserts, river beds and mountains. The Secretary of the Army was there and he shook hands with the five of us and we received his condolences. Elizabeth had a private meeting with General Casey, the Chief of Staff of the Army, on Monday evening in his office. Christian had flown him around a few months ago while he was in Europe. He was kind. They spoke about many things, he seemed humble.
A private tour of the White House was arranged for Phil, Kay, Rob and myself, conducted by Lieutenant Commander Cindy Cambell, the director of adminstration. It was beautiful, a special treat for all of us. We even got to go to places that others vistors were not allowed. One of those places was the flower room where they prepare all the floral arrangements and centerpieces. We spoke at length with the florists there and even got some "tips" about arrangements and containers. We did see the Bush's private Christmas card for this year. They used a scripture from Zachariah 9:16,17, "And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people; for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land. For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty." I thought that was really wonderful that the President of our country would use that beautiful scripture in his personal Christmas card.
It's hard to be back here without him, especially at Christmas time. The blizzard and extemely low temperatures have made it more difficult and we seem to vent our anger and frustration on those temporal things. Elizabeth and Christian had hoped and dreamed about so many things. Dreams and plans that turned to ashes with the accident. However, it is evident that it becomes our enemies business to keep us in the valley of grief, gloom and anguish so he can keep our spirits imprisoned. But we choose not to make any agreements with the assaults, thoughts and suggestions of our enemy. I am using the portion of Zachariah's prophecy about his son John as a prayer for all here, "To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace".
"Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me." Micah 7:8
3 comments:
I am thinking of you and yours quite a lot. I was in the grocery store this morning and thought how I might feel if I bumped into you...as we have not greeted you since the loss of Christian. How strangely insignificant my grocery list would be! --along with the holiday music playing throughout the store, the hubbub of shoppers and the glitter of decorations.
I am glad you put so many lights on your tree. May each one reflect the
True Light who loves you all.
You all have been in our many thoughts since the sad event in your family. You are a strong family of faith and your true love and devotion for Christ will get you thru this one day at a time. Know that we love you all and if we can help in any way, please let us to so... God Blessings on your all.
I miss being with you all.
mk
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