A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF SUMMER

Self | June 12, 2002 | ohioWfan

[MJY1288]

John, This thread needs your attention, Please give it a "King Size" ping for one of our FINEST and his family

[MJY1288]

Sorry for the triple post

[ohioWfan]

Thank you, db!

Yesterday I took Eric to see my Dad, whose health is failing, and who may not make it until he comes home, and my WWII Veteran Dad gave his Army grandson a salute when he saw him.

It touched my soul.

[ohioWfan]

When that happens, I will be suffering (but proud as heck) right along side you.

Yep, that just about sums it up.

Thanks, mountaingirl!

[ohioWfan]

Wow, Salvation! Thanks for sharing your story.

I was fine when we signed the release form (he was 17), and I was even fine when he had to write his Will, but when the day approached that he was actually leaving, the floodgates of tears opened wide.

I know he will be fine, because he is in the center of God's will, and serving during a time when the US Military is again respected! Thank you, George W. Bush!

[Mo1]

I just got this in an email and thought I'd post it for you

.

.

And God Created Mothers

By the time the Lord made mothers, he was into the sixth day of creation and working overtime. An angel appeared and said "Why are you spending so much time on this one?"

And the Lord answered and said, "Have you read the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic; have 200 movable parts, all replaceable; run on black coffee and leftovers; have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappears when she stands up; have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart; and have six pairs of hands."

The angel was astounded at the requirements. "Six pairs of hands!" said the angel. The Lord replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the big problem. It's the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!"

"And that's on the standard model?" the angel asked. The Lord nodded and explained, "Yes... one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head, to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair are in the front of her head, for looking at a child with love and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."

The angel tried to tell the Lord to take a break. "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish."

"But I can't!" The Lord protested, "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick AND can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine-year-old to stand in the shower."

The angel moved closer and touched the woman, "But you have made her so soft, Lord." "She is soft," the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?" asked the angel. The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate." The angel then noticed something and reached out and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak." the Lord said. "That's a tear." "What's the tear for?" the angel asked. The Lord said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."

The angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything for this one. You even created the tear!" The Lord looked at the angel and smiled and said, "I'm afraid you are wrong again, my friend. I created the woman, but she created the tear."

- Author Unknown

[ohioWfan]

Thank you! We have been amazed to watch Eric grow into the fine young man he is today.

Lots of prayer, lots of love, lots of discipline, and lots of time for conversation, play, travel, and just being together.

[Jen]

Many thanks for the ping to this beautifuly written post. God bless your son, OhioWfan, and you.

[Diver Dave]

A bump and prayers for your son and your family.

Your pride in God's handiwork, Eric, is spreading like wildfire through your outstanding message from your heart.

Thanks for sharing your story, and for sharing your son to protect this Great Nation.

May God continue to Bless you and Eric as you serve Him.

[ohioWfan]

Thanks Grampa.......no time to remember those who serve? Wow!

Thanks Linda!

[looney tune]

Thanks for sharing that, and may our Lord bless Eric with a sense of His presence as he serves his country. I'm sure you are so proud of him.

[ohioWfan]

Oh, thank you for that beautiful post, Mo1!

I have tears in my eyes from reading it (no surprise there!).
Soft and tough. .......... I gotta work on the tough part. :o\

[ohioWfan]

Sorry for the triple post

Must have been worth saying, MJY! :o)

[Grampa Dave]

Well he brought it up with the wrong group and the wrong Priest. Actually, our retired priest has a son in the Air Force. Our Deacon retired after serving 25 years in the Subs post Naval Academy. So this foreign neutral new citizen would have been ignored by any of our church leaders.

[ohioWfan]

Thank you both!

Comments from those who have sacrificed to serve this great country mean more than I can say!

[Grampa Dave]

All Erics have a soft spot in our hearts.

Our youngest son's middle name is Eric. Our grandson's first name is Erich! (his middle name is David, a nice name, too)

[ohioWfan]

I am proud, looney tune! Thanks!

[Dr. Scarpetta]

John 14:
[1]Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me."

God bless you and your son. It's a beautiful picture.

[ohioWfan]

Now, I'm going to cry and I haven't even started lunch.

LOL! Thanks, MoJo! Enjoy your lunch!

[Mo1]

Soft and tough. .......... I gotta work on the tough part. :o\

{{{{HUGS}}}} ... give it a little time .. you did a great job raising such a wonderful son ..