I find myself thinking about you and fighting the urge to go check on you or send a quick text message to see how your day is going. The truth is, in my heart and my spirit, I know that every day now is far better than mine is or will be until you and I are together again with dad. I miss you and will always miss being able to talk with you, give you a hug and a kiss, and get one back from you. But I am so thankful of the life that you gave to me and the times we have shared together.
I am thankful that you always loved me no matter how difficult I was to love. And, I am especially thankful for the last several years that we shared together and the depth of love for one another that developed after I came to know Jesus. We serve a great, awesome, and loving God who made all things and makes all things possible and came to this earth and died for us so we can forever be in His presence. I am thankful that I have loving sisters who know and serve Jesus, and I am so thankful that you and I both surrendered our lives to Jesus.
I am both thankful and grateful that I have a loving wife who grew up knowing Jesus, has loved me the way that you and Jesus love me. I am thankful that you had the opportunity to get to know her better and grew to love her as I do. I've heard it said that a son often marries someone like his mother. They (whoever "they" are) may be right. You learned what I knew -- that Barb is an amazing woman who I prize above rubies and someone who loves me the way you have loved me. She always loves me and is there for me through the good times and bad times. She completes me and I complete her just like you and dad completed one another. We are best friends just like you and dad were best friends. But you already know that. You saw it and even said as much to me in your own way..
I am so very thankful and grateful that surrendering to Jesus led to us moving back to be near you and to share the last 9 years with you. Mom, I have always loved you and I always will, and I miss you already and always will ... until that day comes when we are together again -- forever. I love you mom, and I am looking forward to our family's reunion some day in His presence.