Losing a special friend

Last Saturday we received a call that a client we worked with had passed away. Jimmy was 37 years old and was more than a client. We are friends with him and his family. I helped take care of Jimmy when he came to the agency I used to work for 8 years ago. Dave helped take care of him after I left the agency. Jimmy had severe disabilities. I became close to Jimmy's mom. I met Jimmy's sister and brother. We kind of became part of the family.

It was a shock to hear those words from Dave's mouth. Dave got off the phone with his boss and told me that Jimmy had passed away. What? No, not Jimmy. He hadn't been sick. It seems he had a seizure and died suddenly. We didn't know what to do. We didn't want to burden his mom or family by going to visit them. They needed to grieve right?

We decided to go over to the family's house. We needed to show our support and grieve with them. It was the right decision. The house was a buzz with friends and family showing their support, grieving together and remembering Jimmy.

Tuesday evening Dave, Kaitlynn and I attended Jimmy's visitation. His funeral was on Wednesday morning. We didn't take Kaitlynn to the funeral. It was a beautiful service at the funeral home. His nieces spoke, the neighbor sang, and it was very heartfelt. We attended the grave site service, where it was concluded by a Native American chant. Then went to Jimmy's mom's home for lunch. It was great being with everyone who loved Jimmy to remember him and grieve him.


HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD
by Edna Massimilla
A meeting was held quite far from Earth!
It's time again for another birth.
Said the Angels to the LORD above,
This Special Child will need much love.

His progress may be very slow,
Accomplishments he may not show.
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets down there.

He may not run or laugh or play,
His thoughts may seem quite far away,
In many ways he won't adapt,
And he'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where he's sent,
We want his life to be content.
Please LORD, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.

They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play,
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for their gift from Heaven.
Their precious charge, so meek and mild,
Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD.

Father's Day

Starting out the weekend right - Friday night Kaitlynn fell asleep in Daddy's arms.

Saturday my mom watched Kaitlynn while Dave and I attended a wedding ceremony and then went out for a date night. We went to the Clayton area for dinner and then to the Soulard area for drinks.

Sunday was Dave's day - Father's Day. He made all the plans for that day.

I brought Dave breakfast in bed. After breakfast, he opened his gifts.

We went to both of our dads' grave sites.

Then went to my mom's. She took us to Pasta House for Father's Day dinner. Dave wanted to go there because of the cheesecake (and he likes the food).

Daddy and his girl

They look so much alike in this picture, don't they?

Dave said he had a good Father's Day. He did everything he wanted to. Father's Day is hard for both of us since our dads have passed away, but we are there for each other.