6 years, 5 weeks and 4 days after my mother lost her battle with Cancer, my step father Bruce left us, and returned to her.
One year ago today after a week of waiting for him to wake, his slumber ended, and he hit the road in moms 56 Thunderbird with her at his side once again and they rode off into the sunset in their eternal Route 66.
Last year I posted this message from my aunt Mitz. I think it is a perfect homage to them:
“I believe in a lot of things. When I headed east to Mom's this morning at 7:00 a.m., I noticed how beautiful the sky was - I believe it was because of the reuniting of Bruce and Elaine and they wanted to share their happiness with us.
I also believe that when we go to Heaven, we leave all of our infirmities here. I hope there are backroads, rock & roll music, classic cars and good cigars in Heaven so Elaine and Bruce can motor down their own Route 66.”
“I believe in a lot of things. When I headed east to Mom's this morning at 7:00 a.m., I noticed how beautiful the sky was - I believe it was because of the reuniting of Bruce and Elaine and they wanted to share their happiness with us.
I also believe that when we go to Heaven, we leave all of our infirmities here. I hope there are backroads, rock & roll music, classic cars and good cigars in Heaven so Elaine and Bruce can motor down their own Route 66.”
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I would like to honor both of my fathers today - my dad Charlie- who was in the Navy during Nam, and my step father Bruce who was in the Army in Nam and Desert Storm, and a life time Staff Sargeant in St Paul - training brave men on Black Hawk Helicopters. I am very proud of both of them.
I would also like to thank my friends DJ and Josh - husbands and sons of two very good friends of mine. Both served two tours during Enduring Freedom. It was hell for us while they were gone, but even worse for them. To my friends Jeanne and Melissa, thank you for allowing your son and husband serve so far away. Your strength while they were gone was empowering. To my new friend Valerie, while I have never met your husband, I remember the last few months of waiting with you for his return.
To my friend Becky who lost her nephew Brett, and to my friend Nancy, whose son is still recovering from life threatening injuries, Thank you. Thank you for your sacrafices.
God Bless all of you!
Because of all of those people--your Dads, my husband, your friends' husbands/sons/brothers--and all of those who are serving, have served and will serve--we get to lead the lives we choose. Thank you is a good start!
ReplyDeleteI've read back in your blog posts and it gave me chills to read about your Mom, Bruce, and your Mom and Bruce together. What a couple they are! I would have loved to have known them. There are some people who just are SO alive that they sort of defy death, if ya know what I mean. They're gone, but they're not. For me, that's the way it is with Bill. And if I have it right, I think your Mom and Bruce are that way, too. Cool! :)
What a lovely tribute to your family and to those men and women who aren't part of our families, but leave theirs so ours are safe.
ReplyDeleteThis post gave me the chills. What a lovely honor to all those men and women.
ReplyDeletemy neighbors husband was deployed a couple months ago; three little kids at home. the whole street is lit up with (electric) candles in our windows, awaiting his safe return. we have different backgrounds, different political ideals, religions, etc., but i was proud of us all, i wish i could do more, and your post really touched me.
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed when true love's go so close together.
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute to them all.
Had to get out a Kleenex to get through this. Its a beautiful tribute to each of them.
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