For My Andy

I've borrowed this from a blog I've been following, www.nicholastouch.blogspot.com
Thank you for the idea and hope you don't mind that I'm dedicating it to my wonderfully supportive husband too. This is for you, Andy. There is no one I could have taken this rollercoaster of a journey with other than you. For to have been able to spend moments with her is far better than an eternity without her.

The Strength of a Man

The strength of a man isn't seen in the width of his shoulders.
It's in the width of his arms that encircle you.

The strength of a man isn't in the deep tone of his voice.
It's in the gentle words he whispers.

The strength of a man isn't how many buddies he has.
It's how good of buddies he is with his children.
(I've never seen a man that can be such good buddies with his son yet offer the balance of guided discipline when needed. It seems like a lot of dads are either too good of buddies with their kids or too firm on the discipline part. The person Will respects most is his #1 role model, his daddy.)

The strength of a man isn't in how respected he is at work.
It's in how respected he is at home.

The strength of a man isn't in how hard he hits.
It's in how tender he touches.

The strength in a man isn't in the hair on his chest.
It's in his Heart...that lies within his chest.

The strength of a man isn't how many women he's loved.
It's in can he be true to one woman.

The strength of a man isn't in the weight he can lift.
It's in the burdens he can carry.
(He'll carry the great burden of losing Sylvia for the rest of his life, but is learing to do it with grace. We are so glad we were chosen to be that angel's parents. We miss her, but are blessed we got any time with our earth angel.)

Jacqueline Marie Griffiths (written for Hunt D. Rochon)

I also found another quote I like. I'm working on purchasing it in a big painting to hang in our house somewhere. It goes something like this,
“When you come to the edge of all you have
ever known, and are about to step out into the darkness, faith is the trust that you will find something to stand on or learn how to fly."

We have found our something to stand upon and learned how to fly. Some days we barely make it off the ground and some days we soar.

Please keep my cousin and his wife, David and Erin, in your prayers. Apparently there is fluid around their yet-to-be born baby's heart. I'm not sure if you read this blog but if you do, Erin--I did an Internet search and found that lots of time the issue resolves itself by the time the baby is born. (Yeah!) I am unsure whether it is for sure or just suspected that their is fluid. However, please lift them in prayer. I know they are very worried for their little girl, a feeling we know well.

Halloween approaches. At this point, Will is going to be Thomas the Train. I wonder what Sylvia is dressing up as up there in heaven. I couldn't help but buy her more angel wings (like she needs them). I would have dressed her as a cherub. Miss you, baby girl! Love to you all!