Then:

So the 9th of May ... I've been going to write about it ... not sure what to say. It was as perfect as that day could be ... for me anyway.

What did I do? I woke at 6ish, and the first thing I did was turn the radio on, the first words out of the radio was Colin Ray singing, "between now and then, till I see you again ... I'll be loving you, Love, Me." ... I kid you not ... those were the first words I heard that very morning. Then:

I texted my babies and told them I loved them and thanked them for being amazing people and for showing me the way. You see in their darkest, deepest, saddest days, they've shown grace, love, honor, and true Doug Zobel style ... he would be so proud of his sons and daughter! Then:

I texted my sister, Deb, told her I was having prayers with Pastor Bill at 8:30. She should call Barb and let her know that if they wanted to come over, we were starting at 8:30 and I had a work meeting at 9. So my sisters came, two dear friends came, and Pastor Bill came. We prayed for my kids, for their journey, for the journey of the next 12 months, for the journey of continued healing, we prayed for all those who have stood beside us in this journey, our strong support. Then:

We shared scriptures, the first was one that was upon my heart, I couldn't remember much, except for suffering, endurance hope and faith. Pastor Bill knew immediately. The scripture I thought about is Romans 5:1-6 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have^[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Then:

We shared John 11 ... look it up, read the story of Lazarus and his death. Martha  and Mary both say to Jesus, "If you had been here, my brother would not have died." Wow! Tell me we haven't all thought those very thoughts. And we shared something from 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 (I think). Then:

Then we went to the garage, where Doug's journey into God's heavenly arms began. The six of us prayed ... I don't remember much of what was said, for it was peaceful to my heart, but it was my moment of utter sadness on that day. Pastor Bill prayed, then he paused for quiet and for any who wished to offer up a prayer ... and my sister Barb prayed a most beautiful prayer, followed and concluded by my sister Deb with another beautiful and meaningful prayer. And all God's people said, "AMEN." ... we shared hugs and a small bit of laughter ... but we left the garage ... and that is just what it is ... it is my garage and that prayer gave it peace. It is no longer where Doug died, it's just a garage. Then:

I went to my meeting. Then:

I went to Dielectric for a memorial lunch in memory of Doug ... I had lunch with the folks he worked side by side for over 30 years. It was such a blessing, such a fun way to honor him. Then:

It was back home to clean as quick as possible and Kandie came with hugs and bling; then Anna, then Pam, then Pastor Randy, then Julie (who bought us pizza), then Deb and Bill, then Kari, then Daryl, then JB and Sue, then Kathy, and my brother called me, all my kids called me that day. (I might have this in the wrong order, I might have forgotten someone, and I'm sorry if I did). Then:

I ended the evening talking to my oldest son ...

And I got a beautiful letter from Doug's cousin Michelle ... she's an amazing lady! I got some beautiful cards from so many friends. I got a rose from another friend. And I got hugged ... a lot!

As I've said ... that day, May 9th, 2013, was just another of the past 365 days. It was far easier for me than my kids ... because each and every day, I wake up in our house alone, I go to bed in our bed alone, I cook a meal for myself, I talk to Sig (Doug and Nolan's cat), I listen to the quiet of the house that used to be "filled" with Doug.

But to each of you who prayed, called, stopped by, thought of us, texted, "facebooked", or emailed ... you were prayed for that day, a prayer returning strength and peace to each of you, for as you all grieve the loss of friend or family member, as you grieve the loss of Doug, you've found the strength to lift me and mine up ... and so that day, May 9, 2013, I wanted you to feel a tiny bit of that strength being returned to you from us. The last year would not have been bearable without each of you, our friends and family!

You have honored my Doug ... and it will never be forgotten.

With love, until soon,
vic