Happy Birthday! That’s what we usually say on someone’s birthday. Not today though. It’s not happy. Kai, you’d be 9 years old today! You’d be heading into 4th grade. It’s hard to believe it’s been this many years. June 20, 2014, was a horrific day in our lives. Losing you has been hard on everyone in our family. Every year that passes, it gets a little easier, but the scars and pain are there and they run deep. Mom and I are doing great! We just celebrated our 20th anniversary. We’ve seen a lot in those years!
I haven’t written like this in a few years. I used to do this every year. It kind of marked the time. This past year has seen a lot of changes. I like to talk about what your siblings have been up to in the past year. It helps me as I wonder what you would have done in your life.
Katherine finished her first year of college. She’s in a singing group that travels and sings all over the place. They sing a song called “Beulah Land”. It’s about Heaven. I think about you every time I hear them sing it.
Carter got a car last year and is now a shift leader at Chick-fil-a. He works a lot. He’s also the drum captain and chaplain for the marching band. You’d really look up to him. You’d probably want to be just like him.
Caleb started working at Chick-fil-a last fall too. He likes his job. He’s a trainer there. In about a month, he’s going to get his driving permit! He leaves tomorrow for a medical camp in Boston. He wants to work in the medical file done day. He’s going to do great things!
Christian just finished 6th grade! He does such a good job managing his diabetes. He wants to be a biomedical engineer when he grows up. He wants to create devices that help people manage their diabetes. He’ll do great with that!
Karis Lynn is growing like crazy! She just finished kindergarten. She also started tumbling class. She is active, full of life, and fun to be around. She loves to draw and recently drew a family picture. She had all of us in a line, but there was a space between Christian and her. We asked her why that was, and she said, “that’s for Baby Kai.” She is a special blessing to all of us!
We got 2 new puppies a few months ago. Galana passed away last fall. She was a great dog that mourned with us when you passed away. She was an amazing pet and friend. We miss her. These puppies, Ralph and Barty, are related to her!
We all miss you so much!. I often remind myself that God didn’t create this world with death and hurt and pain. This is not how it is supposed to be. I can’t wait to see the words of Revelation 21:4 come true, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Love,
Dad
A Pastor's Thoughts 