In your heart…
Gage has been consistently asking to see his Dad for the last two days. I thought tonight I would give a different answer than the repetitive…”Daddy is gone for a long time. He loves you very much but he has to save soldiers that are fighting the bad guys.”
Tonight I said, “Daddy is right in your heart.” He sat straight up in bed and replied, “Well, then I want to go in there!”
Maybe I should stick to the more concrete explanations next time for the two year old.
…
I am completely convinced there are such great people in this world because I am surrounded by them. I am truly grateful everyday for the support that is so graciously offered to me. My deepest hope is to someday be able to ‘pay it forward.’
I need to especially thank Kirk Beckham and Scott Rudicel (fraternity brothers of Tim’s) for bailing me out. I received football plays to review with Briggs from his coach. These were well done, well thought-out, and what probably are fairly basic plays BUT COMPLETELY foreign to me. I definitely knew I was out of my league when it came time for this exercise. So…I sent out the APB and the two coolest dudes offered to review the plays with Briggs on Sunday in intense heat. Kirk even made his three girls (gorgeous by the way) play the other positions. Afterwards, Scott (aka Ruditoonz) gave us a private concert with some of his favorite tunes. They also helped move a very large and heavy desk and changed my furnace filter! See images below.
Special thanks to…Chuck Stevens for dropping off ice cream. The entire Hohman family for moving furniture. Mark Casavant for taking the boys to the pool (I haven’t made it there this year with all of them). Judy for the stop-by. Stacy…one of the neatest women I know…for a great visit. Michelle Schumacher for watching the girls and fixing unbelievable muffins. Mark and Greg Kleis for moving a very large and heavy hutch.
Little Gage-r. I love his quote!
Reminds me of when I was leaving and he told me “you can’t go back to the Army.” I said “Gage, I love you very much, but I have to go.” After he determined that I was definitely going, he immediately said “well, then I’ll go with you.”
While I am very sad to be gone, it does feel good to know that you are needed by your children.
tim - August 15th, 2007 at 7:47 amTim, I know what “in your heart” means and that is exactly where you are, more often than I care to admit. When my parents were young and separated by war (my dad was at Langley Field when radar was discovered and David and Gordon were born) they made a pact that they would always, no matter where they were, look into the sky and think of each other at 9pm. (don’t bog this down with time zones, etc.) So I would like to offer this little ritual to those of us who follow your assignment that we, too, look toward the heavens at 9pm and say a little prayer for you and your men. (The purists may want to do this twice just to make sure that you are covered in both time zones). Take care of yourself, the coffee is on the way. Godbless you and the men you lead. Love, 9
Aunt 9 - August 15th, 2007 at 9:40 pmYou don’t know me but I went to high school with Tim. We had our 20th class reunion back in July and many people were wondering about Tim. A mutual friend tracked down your blog and forwarded it to me. I would love to have a mailing address to drop him an encouraging note - as probably several of our classmates would.
I will send prayers on behalf of Tim and your entire family for his safety. I can’t imagine taking care of 4 small children on your own — may you continue to be given the strength you need each and every day as you await his safe return home.
Pam
Pam Kistler - August 16th, 2007 at 8:40 amHi Tim and Family,
Tim and I graduated high school together in Warsaw. We were great friends. I moved to Florida and we lost touch. I heard he was flying helicopters in the service and have been trying to track him down for the past few years. I am so happy a friend found this website and forwarded it to me.
I have been choking back tears after reading your blogs and seeing your “goodbye in pictures”. What a beautiful family you have! Tim you are a great man - what a long way you have come since high school! The sacrifies you and your family are making are unbelievable. You and your family should be so proud - I know that I am. What a great roll model for your children! I will be telling my family about you and sharing this with them.
Be safe. My thoughts and prayers have been and will continue to be with you (and your family).
Maggie.
Maggie (Edwards) - August 16th, 2007 at 11:05 am