Happy Birthday Bobbie!

Here she is, my birthday girl. How we miss her. She has been gone almost 3 years, it seems so impossible. Today, the family wrote on balloons and sent them heavenward with letters of love to her. I baked cupcakes, and we sang happy birthday. On March 13, the anniversary of her death, we are going to the cemetary with more balloons, bread for the ducks that swim in the lake there, (she loved those ducks when she was little) and have a memorial service. After that, we will have lunch together- it is so important to support each other in times like this. Jaybird is doing so well. He misses his mama, but I am so proud of him and his incredible strength.

There were many who attended her funeral, but the nature of our family insures that humorous moments are a given. Bobbie Jo's church primary teacher spoke at the funeral. This is a woman that is revered by all who know her, and she was a natural choice, not to mention, she loved Bobbie Jo, and spent Bobbie Jo's last day with her, looking at pictures of the past and talking of old times.

As this dear Sister spoke of Bobbie Jo, and reminded us of her life, she made a statement. She said, "Bobbie Jo was an obedient child-" and eyebrows shot up all over the chapel, and some of us had to fight hard not to smile at the humor of that. Bobbie Jo was many wonderful things, but "obedient" won't rate very hard on the chart! That's okay, she was who she was, and that is precious to me. On my balloon today, I wrote, "Thank you Baby, for all you did for me and how you love me. I love you too, Mama".

I am so thankful for eternal life. If I thought I would never see Bobbie Jo or Otto again, it would be very hard for me to continue my own life. I have tremendous comfort knowing that they live, just as Jesus lives after rising from the dead, and I WILL be with them again. I am so grateful for my Savior. He has given all of us the gift of eternal life. I hope to honor him with my life here on earth, and I so appreciate the tremendous love