It had been a regular Sunday, the family was getting together at Grandma’s house for dinner. However, one chair remained empty like always. The chair reserved for the youngest grandson, Benny, currently fighting overseas. Her husband asked her constantly why she left the chair out. There’d be so much more room for everyone if they just took the chair out from the table.
“Benny may not be here with us physically,” She’d state matter-of-factly, a wrinkled index finger pointed in the air, “but he is always with us in spirit and he will come home!” The short Vietnamese woman worked in the garden that afternoon, harvesting the freshest vegetables to cook for dinner. Dirt wedged its way under her fingernails as she pulled up carrots one by one. The gold wedding band twisting around her finger as she dug her hands through the soil. She huffed and sat back on her heels next to the bowl of
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Her vision obstructed only by a few loose strands of white hair that had fallen out of the tight bun at the back of her head. They weren’t expecting anyone else for dinner; everyone was already here. And it wasn’t a car she recognized belonging to anyone she knew. The door opened and out stepped a young man in an army uniform. It was Benny. So many emotions passed through Grandma’s head, disbelief, joy, relief. Her deep sunken brown eyes looked as though the sun were shining behind them. Smile lines becoming more defined as a look of pure joy overtook all her features. Her small hands flew up to her face, covering her mouth and nose. Slowly, she rose to her feet, still not quite believing her eyes. Benny beamed as he made his way towards her; he’d been looking forward to surprising his Grandma more than anyone else in the family. Other members of the family had heard the commotion and came outside to investigate. Some were in shock and others were crying, but everyone felt a sense of relief that Benny was home
The ride home was much different than the ride to the hospital, Mrs. Girroir reminisced about all the good and the bad times they shared. She told me how he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and got several Medals of Honor. She told me the story of how they met in Honduras while he was stationed there. She grinned as she explained how he told her father he would marry her before they even spoke to one another. He was a very confident man, very romantic, yet stubborn and sarcastic. I glanced in the rearview mirror at the girls and saw them smiling listening intently to their mothers stories. The mood was no longer melancholy but lighthearted almost mirthful. We attended the funeral, Janice and I. We had become a part of their family, experienced both sorrow and pain alongside them.
When I look back at my childhood I cannot picture it without you. You have helped shaped who I am today and for that I thank you. When I think of you i think about all the love that you have to give. I am so lucky to have you in my life and I will always cherish the memories that I have with you.
Moms can be their own toughest critics. They want to be the perfect mother to their children while keeping an immaculate home, working full-time or part-time and taking care of everyone else in the family. It's almost impossible to be a supermom for any length of time without a breakdown.
The first footsteps we've ever taken are the ones that have imprinted the inside of our mothers' stomachs. Mothers don't just give birth to us, they give us a life to live. Now, some might say mothers are supposed to give birth; it's a natural process that is their duty. It's physically straining to have a child, but it takes a true warrior to raise a child. It is often forgotten how much they continuously provide for us and how many sacrifices they make. My mother has been my inspiration, not because of her title as my mother but because she is the prime example of a what I call a hero.
To my beautiful wife Hallie Baxter, you have saved my life by giving me purpose and perspective. When I think back about the time I was sitting at that bus stop bench in japan, and you messaged me that day. I didn’t know what to say at first, but as time passed and our love grew our wedding day finally came. I knew when I looked into your eyes that day I found the other half of my heart. Never in my life have I gazed upon someone so kind, strong, beautiful or smart. You have stuck beside me through thick and thin. Without you I would have never laid eyes on our beautiful daughters face. I don’t know where I would have ended up without you. But I know I am grateful to be with you every sec of every day. What I’m trying to say is that you taught
I love you with all my heart. I am so blessed to have you as my mom, partner-in-crime, and best friend. A quote that reminds me of the impact you have made on my life and me is “When you’re a child she walks before you to set an example. When you’re a teenager she walks behind you to be there if you should need her. When you’re an adult she walks beside you so that as two friends you can enjoy life together.” Throughout my childhood and now I have always been attached at your hip. I can remember dressing like you, acting like you, trying to be everything that you were, and I still try to do that today. You and I have been inseparable ever since I could walk. We would always play with Barbie’s and put barrettes in your hair. Every day we are together we create lasting memories, laugh until we cry, and smile from ear to ear. Our friendship is a special bond that will last forever. Through laughter, WORRY, smiles and tears
If there's anyone who could brighten up a room full of people arguing over which part of the turkey they want, disagreeing over politics, sharing the latest family gossip, it's definitely him. It's Thanksgiving and as I enter my grandparent’s house, I see him conversing with my aunt who's resemblance is uncanny, as he sips his glass of white wine and instantly looks up at me. It’s my grandfather, Gelo.
With sadness, honor and anger I make the long-overdue announcement of my Grandfather's Passing, August of 2017. I won't call this a Eulogy. He specifically requested that none be presented. He more specifically demanded that rather than go on about the business of his demise, I am to go on about the business of living successfully, happily and fully myself and being who I am. He was so amazing, wonderful, brilliant, generous of both asset and spirit, kind, non-judgmental, accepting, motivating & compassionate in so many ways and for so many. He loved my grandmother and I in the deepest, most loyal of ways. He has been my idol, my mentor, my project partner, my example, my friend, and most recently, the last living member of my natural family.
The house was flooded with people, all there to pay respects to Claudia's late grandmother. Long forgotten relatives walked by with uncomfortable smiles and tear streaked faces; many stopping to share their condolences or ask how she was doing. She responded accordingly, with a 'thank you' here and an 'okay' there. When everyone had filed to the kitchen, she headed in the opposite direction - where she let her mind wander to her grandmother's service.
Hi Grandma, I just wanted to start off by saying thank you for all the support you've given me over the years in everything I do, whether it is volleyball and golf, school, or just anything else in general. I really appreciate how much time and energy you put into making your grandchildren happy, and you are definitely doing a fantastic job at it. Now, I am asking for your support in one more thing: I will be returning to Guadalajara, Mexico this summer with a group of my Senior friends as a way of getting one last amazing service opportunity. Your heart of serving others and desire to bring joy to others has clearly passed down through the family, and I really I got my passion for this kind of thing from you.
Life is a hard concept to understand because it can be there one minute, and gone the next. I have experienced the death of some very important people in my life, my grandfather being one of them. At the beginning of this year my great grandfather died, and after his death I realized that I took his life for granted. From this horrible experience, I have learned to appreciate the time I have with the people I love, and I have learned to show people my love rather than have people assume my love for them.
Every mom is special, but trust me there is no other mom who can be compared to your qualities and abilities. You amaze me every day with your strength and positivity. I wish you a year filled with health, happiness and everything you want because there is noone who deserves it more than you. I love you so much HAPPY BIRTHDAY @shahnazakhtar1
I love her long, autumn hair, the way it glows like she does, and how it just never quite wants to co-operate with her. I love finding it in my bedsheets when I'm alone, and I love the smell and feel of it against my face when she sits in my lap.
I know I may not always tell you enough how much I truly am in love with you and how how much I appreciate everything you do for me babe and I'm sorry. I never want a moment to go by where you wonder how I feel about you or question how much I appreciate your love. I can still remember everything from that first night we met. I never had any idea going into that night I would meet the girl of my dreams, but by the end when I could talk to you for 3 hours straight and never be at a loss of words I knew right then we had something special. Ever since that night I have been head over heels for you babe and 3 months later my love for you is stronger than ever before. Seeing your smile truly makes me the happiest man ever, I will never ever be tired
As I sauntered into the house, my grandma tried to get my attention, but I was not attentive at all. Besides, I wanted to be alone. I went into the three-season porch and sat in my dad’s black, leather office chair.