Remembering......

I think it's always good to look to the future. But from time to time, we should reflect on the past.

Four years ago, today, Henry Blair Graybill II, better known as Blair, entered Heaven's gates. It was sudden and unexpected. He left family, friends and students in shock and dismay at his passing. It seemed too soon.

A Bible verse I memorized as a child seems so appropriate here:

One thing have I desired of the LORD and that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His temple.
Psalm 27: 4 (KJV)

Blair is there now, beholding the beauty of the LORD. And I believe he would, if he could, say to us, "The best is yet to come!" For he has entered in to the presence of our Lord and Savior. He is beholding the beauty of the LORD.. 

Thank you, God, for Your gift of family to know and love. Blair was loved and is missed. Yet, I know we will see him again.

What Will They Say About Me?

What will people say about me when I enter eternity? More important, what will my family say about me? I want them to say they were loved by me. That they knew they could count on me during their greatest needs and in the good times, too. That I was fun to be with. Most of all, will they know with full assurance, I'm in heaven with Jesus?

I’ve been thinking a lot about final words that are said about someone who’s died. On Tuesday, January 21, 2014 at 9:15 p.m., my mother in law, Mary Teresa Delaney Mozena Hough entered eternity. I didn’t know Mary very well, for I've only been in the family for a few months. Mary had Altzheimers Disease and just that says a lot. I saw a spark of the real Mary several times, though, in spite of her illness. She had beautiful white hair, a clear complexion with few wrinkles and was a  spritely, young looking 90 year old woman. She had a wonderful English accent and loved to dance. At our first meeting, we did a jig together. About her family she said, "Eight children--lots of work, eight children.”  I agreed with her and thanked her for the excellent job she did in raising my beloved--her third-born, James Patrick Mozena. I think I see lots of her in Jim. Fun-loving. Intelligent. Hard working. Lots of energy with a spark for life. I think she loved fiercely, too, just like her second son. Thank-you, Mary, for giving life to the wonderful man I'm married to. Thank you for giving life to an extremely talented group of family members. I am blessed to have known you--even for a short time. You will be missed. Rest in peace, Mary. 

Friends--what would we do without them?

It is one day short of four weeks of marriage to Jim. I am so blessed to be with him! We are content and happy just to be with each other.

We survived the holidays with our blended families. There are a total of eight children and eighteen grandchildren! We each happily have lots of siblings whom we love to be with too.

And then there are friends. What would we do without them? After things calmed down just a little, we listened to the audio wedding CD. We were overwhelmed with the professionalism of the music played. The musicians were my friends from church. They took time out of their busy schedules to practice and give up their Saturday morning during the busy Christmas season. For us!

 I just enjoy listening to the music. The soft jazzy style of the piano, along with the ballad-like violinist, the bass, guitar--and of course, the percussion and keyboard. They easily could play in a club locally and people would love to hear them jam. We asked Melissa six days before the wedding ceremony to sing one of our favorite songs and she graciously did so. It also was perfect!

There were also friends who helped in so many areas. One friend drove all the way from Spokane and ironed table cloths the day before the wedding. Others picked up food and placed it out for the reception. Still others helped with clean up. Video taping. Sound. Lights. Make up. Wedding cake. Programs. Too many to mention all of them.

Then there were friends who came to the wedding. We were so honored by them. What would we do without these friends and of course family? The church would have been empty! There would have been no music. And life would be without the richness of friends!