Oh Marilyn

My Grandma Bessie's sister Opal's oldest daughter...Marilyn...I don't remember her as a Roth...Always a Davis...married to that guy Larry who all tough on the outside...but a big heart on the inside...maybe don't tell him we know!    He spent time caring for Marilyn in her last days on this earth...to which I start writing to say goodbye.

Marilyn had three sons...Ron, Tom, and Hank...and though I haven't been around them in later years...I knew them better in earlier days...good times with Ron and Kathy...Marilyn's baby sister who left us way too soon.    Tom coming to spend some time with us in Colorado and then Hank came and visited as well...but Ron's wife Anita shared the updates (thank you Anita)...of what going on in their life...and I think Oh Marilyn...and I think of laughter...

I think of the last time I seen her I think, and I did have some pictures of her and her sister's...One I loved was her and Nyla (always the cool one)...during another celebration of life of her sister Rhonda's husband...Jack...so many goodbye's...

I ramble on here...and think how these blogs have been more thinking of those who I seem to be reflecting on their life than anything else...but maybe that is okay...a place to give a moment of love for one that has lived and been a part of our life...a part of who we are...a reminder of how this time on this earth is fleeting...unknown...

Marilyn was one of the "elder's"...a keeper of the family tree.   One who would make others do skits and such that they didn't always want to but somehow...she convinced them that it would be fun...or at least something they needed to do... Her smile and laughter are part of what I remember most of her...I did a search for her pics and they pulled up one's of her baby sister Kathy too...and I think all had a beautiful smile...a gift from their mama!

When I searched pics there was one that wasn't from this time maybe a reunion...but it makes me think of the past...the future...how you loved history...

You with a chocolate covered strawberry that you were excited to enjoy...laughing at me taking your picture with your napkin on your chest...just keeping it clean...with Kathy's daughter talking to you...

and I thought how you loved to laugh and play...I know I only seen glimpses...but this last time I seen  you...these snapshots...maybe not the greatest capture...but I keep in my memories...you playing cards...you taking time to appreciate the flowers...the food...and the family...a reminder to us all...

Marilyn...you will be missed...though none of us would wish suffering on you...I think of you raising those four boys (haha sorry Larry I include you)...those younger siblings...and how sometimes your "innocence" I'm sure a protector from some of the things you lived...I missed your farewell but thought of all that were there...and those who loved you and said goodbye from afar...and so I send love and prayers to all...and maybe today stop and play a game and just laugh the whole time!   lyp

Randal Scott...

 Today your birthday...you my cousin...my friend...many times like a brother.    Today I think of you on your birthday and how I have not written about you since I got the news you have left this life...

I think of a favorite picture of you with my Dad.     How he loved you and I wonder about Heaven and what it is like and if you two are reunited...

This morning as I thought of you...the sun was working at coming up and I thought there it is...Randy's sunrise...and I turned my camera and there was a bird in the tree...a sparrow joining me in watching the sun come up over the hill.  

I think of days gone by...Growing up with you down the road...times when I wasn't sure I had another friend...there you were playing basketball with me at recess.    You doing a Cheech and Chong routine while milking the cow and I remember sitting and laughing so hard.   You putting on heavy boots to run in so you could jump higher playing basketball.    I think about how strong you were.  How funny you were...There a picture that I came across...of days gone by...you messing around but still taking care of others...

I remember then how your life forever changed...that truck that you had worked on and made so sweet...and then there you were in a wheelchair.    I remember weekends driving to Denver as you went through rehab and then you came home and fun times still...I still remember one night in Fargo's parking lot and again laughing so hard at you...of you coming and spending time with me and my family...helping do what you had such a gift for...fixing those motors...and such special times we had...

And this morning I asked why do we disconnect...lose touch from those that are so special to us...so many years pass by so quickly and before you know it...here we are...and though we spent some time texting and a call here and there...still I didn't make the trip to see you...and I think of if I had...what would we have talked of?    I think of how God sent a couple angels in those last days...strong women who were such a blessing to be there with you!   I think of you now free from the confines of a chair that held you for so many years.    A bittersweet...but I feel you a Believer in Jesus...and you went on running and jumping to Heaven!   

So I think of you not just today the day you were born...but I think of your life and how thankful that I am for you my cousin...my friend...at times my big brother!   Thank you!  Love you Randy!!!  

Eleven years...

 

March 9, 2022

Wednesday…a snowy Wednesday…and I think of you...Jay…of writing a letter to you…you where there is no sadness nor pain…I read and sing, “How Great Thou Art”…taken from my thoughts…playing over and over in my head…and I read in the book given to me…”Then Sings My Soul”…and there the very words I had sang…oh when your soul sings…it seems to carry the tune much better!

I read a writing of the song’s history and it talks of a poem written by a 26-year-old man…26 catches me…Jay 26 years old…a young man by any means…Eleven years since that fatal day…fatal…I look up the definition…causing death…death in the eyes of those remaining…but not in the hearts of those believing!!!

I go back to thinking of how this poem written by this young man…ended up touching one life and then another and then another…I think of you today Jaybird…wondering why I refer to you now as Jaybird…perhaps since you flew away…I came across a picture yesterday…titled “Snowy Days and Steller’s Jays” photo taken by I believe Lori Fredrickson from Wyoming...but this photo captured me as I had never seen one before...And I laugh as I research more on this bird as it says, “Steller’s Jays are large songbirds with large heads, chunky bodies, rounded wings, and a long, full tail.”   Yes, I hear you giggle…

Yesterday I spent time with your daughter…she has pieces of you scattered in her personality…pieces of her Mom…of others…yet her own unique person.   And I think of how like a poem written a long time ago…continues to touch lives today…and I think of how you touch the lives of those that remain…and that for many is your laughter...your heart...your words...and yet your story remains…and perhaps that is one of the reasons why I continue to talk of you…to think of you…to remember you…

I don’t understand still…and maybe it is for me not to ever understand the why's…why a young man would be taken from his wife and child…his parents...his siblings...his friends...yet was talking about you the other day and this person said they felt like something was spared from happening…and I know that even though a hard one…that you, Jay, would step up and say I can go…I don’t know what happened…what was kept from happening…but in this conversation we talked of how your wife and child…your family and friends…knew you loved them…that you didn’t leave because you didn’t love them.    I think of many that do not have that comfort in knowing that their daddy loved them…that their spouse loved them…and their friend loved them…and their child or brother...or son-in-love...and I am reminded of the verse…

No greater LOVE 

than this who lay down one’s life for his friends.

John 15:13

These very words carved on your stone…and though I didn’t know you a long time in terms of years on this earth…I knew you enough to know that you would lay down your life for a friend…for a child you didn’t know…yes even for me… ole “Sweetness”…so on this cold and snowy day…I lift my tea cup and I toast you and give thanks for you and think of you taking in Heaven without us…I think how my Mom I am sure adores you…and I am thankful to be part of the ripple that your story has touched in my life…reminding me of the things that matter…and the things that really don’t…and I thank God for you on this cold snowy Wednesday…

And though I won’t join others who will gather at your grave to remember you…you remain 4EVER in my heart!!!

lys