It's been a pretty crappy week. There's no other way to say it. Last Friday we lost a soldier in a tragic car accident. He left behind a young wife and three-year old daughter.The unfortunate thing about the military is that it has a tendency to move you far away from family. And when something like this happens and your family is still a 14 hour drive away, the unit and FRG fill in the gap as best as we can.
So it's been a week full of sitting on the couch listening to stories, coordinating meals, meeting parents and in-laws, planning the memorial service, and doing everything we can to make the wife a little less overwhelmed. And having tissues ready at a moment's notice.
And praise the Lord for well-placed tissue boxes because I went through a good handful myself during the service yesterday. If you haven't been to a military memorial, it is a powerful half hour. Besides having the daughter point out "Daddy! Daddy!" throughout the slideshow presentation, Taps didn't leave a dry eye in the place.
But the family isn't the only one who suffers. Jim lost a soldier, too, which is a hard thing for any commander. These things leave him with a long list of things to do and people to comfort. He's been non-stop for the last 7 days.
I'm glad it's the weekend. We all need to take a deep breath.
11 comments:
I wondered what happened to you. I know you have been busy being the wonderful friend you are. Take care of you & hope you get to relax this weekend.
[Tears] Hugs to you and Jim. That's about as hard as it gets. So sorry. Love you. DR
I'm crying just reading your post, thinking about that little girl thats Cami's age. I'll be praying for that family, it is so hard! Thanks for sharing Karen.
praying for you, Jim and the soldier's family.
I am so sorry. Keeping you and Jim and those involved in our prayers. Get some rest for Baby Grubelet.
That sounds like a tough week. I'm so sorry. I'm sure it was hard on you in many ways but I know you were a blessing to the wife and her daughter.
I have to admit that I read this post a couple days ago and couldn't bring myself to comment. It seemed like anything I might say would just be inadequate.
My prayers are with you and Jim and with the soldier's family. I cannot even begin to imagine the grief that everyone is going through and all that needs done.
Please, in your readiness to help, do not overdue it. You have a little one to think about, too who needs a rested mommy.
I love the daughter you have become.
Karen- How hard, how sad. I am glad that you were able to be there for that wife and little girl. Take care of you and try to have a less busy, or emotional week!
I like happy struggled with what to comment but then i did days ago but my battery died and it didn't go through...
so, don't think my silence means I don't care.
i am so sorry for all involved and words those words seem so inadequate.
i do think it is great that the Lord has placed you both in the positions you are in to offer true comfort and hope to those under you. how blessed we are to have Christians in leadership in these positions.
So sorry to hear about the loss in your community. I am sure you have been a blessing to the widow and her family. Praying for you,
Angela
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