A time to laugh, a time to cry, a time to plant...

Dan’s birthday memorial was all we had hoped it would be. Brian sang Dan’s song for us; we never tire of hearing it. It was a sweet gathering of friends telling “Dan stories” and there were a lot of them—he is quite a character. I say is, because have no doubt that his charming personality remains in tact for eternity.

Last night we watched some old home movies. It brought a lot of laughter. My, what changes one decade of time can bring. Our house full of children, Dan and Emily just one and three years old—my hair was still brown. We had forgotten that when he was little, he would growl at you if you wanted him to do something he didn’t want to, or if he was mad.

The house is filled with activity, working on projects that need to be completed before the wedding. It seems every time I step out into the garden it becomes more beautiful. We have finally turned the corner; we are finishing all the mulching and planting today. Esther has gathered friends to come and help for that one last push. She has been such a blessing. Her strength seems to pick up where mine has fallen short.

We have also been working on Tom’s room. Jami has been heading up that project. He and Dan shared a room with bunk beds. He has not slept in there since the accident. We hope to get it changed, painted and rearranged while he is out of town for a couple of days. He needs his room.

The birds are calling me to the garden time to go.