A Remembrance

Tomorrow will be the 10th anniversary of my first husband, John, going home to be with his Lord. It was Memorial day 1999 and we actually celebrated the holiday on the 31st that year.

John was a loving, caring husband and father. We had been married 27 years. We had just had supper with John's mother at our home to celebrate the holiday. Both of my kids were out with friends. A few hours after his mother had gone home, John suffered a heart attack and was gone immediately.

John and his mother had been discussing at supper that several men in their family had died of heart attacks very young. His own father died at age 46; a few others died in early 50's. I remember John said, "Well I'm 55 so I guess I'm past the danger point. After he was gone I remembered this conversation.

John at his mother's home in OKC

In Mexico

John loved the Lord. He loved working with kids, and had a clown ministry. His clown name was Jolly Jelly Bean. We had friends that were missionaries in Mexico and John went on several mission trips to Mexico. On two occasions my daughter Sara went with him.

Many things have happened since John's death. His sister who was 10 years younger died 3 years after he did. (There were no other siblings). Our son, Tim, went through a very difficult time and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2002. Then in August 2006, our daughter Sara died of carbon monoxide poisoning. We never know why things happen as they do, and I have learned not to question, knowing that the Lord's timing is always perfect.

In November 2005 I married Lynn; this has been such a blessing in so many ways. He is a wonderful man, treats me like a queen, and we have a good life together. I was so thankful that he was at my side when my daughter passed away. I have been able to retire, and I'm enjoying that so much. That probably would not have been possible if I had not re-married.

God is so good, all of the time! In spite of some sorrows and heartaches along the way, I feel very blessed. It is my desire to be an encouragement to others and to serve the Lord faithfully. I know he uses our experiences to help others along the way. I recently helped with a funeral dinner for a 21 year old girl who died of a seizure. I was able to talk to her mother and felt it was an encouragement to her.

I know there has been a wonderful reunion in heaven--John, Sara, my mother and my dad, among others. I would imagine that John is keeping them entertained with his clowning.