Thanksgiving 2012

This was our last Thanksgiving together spent at Missy's Dad's house in the north Georgia mountains.

The kids had just announced their engagement and Don and Jim did what fathers of the impending bride and groom do - congratulate each other on the smart choices their kids were making.

We had a wonderful time at a  Southern style picnic Thanksgiving.

Yesterday, Bob Ivey, our host at this years Thanksgiving celebration, made  the remembrance of our lost loved ones part of the blessing and I was deeply moved and grateful.

a year later

It was just like this a year ago, the morning Jimmy left us. November rain and tears.

I've been ducking this post. I could spend hours trying to be eloquent and only come around to the same essence of the thing, how much he has been, and will continue to be missed.

I know that Jimmy admired my strength and independence, but he was always there ready to hand me his bandana and hug me when he knew, often before I did, that I would cry over something and he would not tease me for it. I know he would give me free pass this day.  He was my husband, my friend, my heart and soul, and I will miss him until we begin again.

Service

Jimmy had to get parental permission to enlist because he was not yet 18.  He was very proud of his service in the 82nd Airborne.

Imagine the mindset of a seventeen year old  back then; the Vietnam War was winding down, but still - Jumping out of perfectly good airplanes any chance he got. Ever the thrill seeker!

This was at jump school graduation. We were married just about three years after this picture was taken and I know that if sport parachuting hadn't been so damn expensive he would have been pulling me out of an open plane door except for the fact that my mother lied to him and told him I had a heart condition. I don't. I have the heart of an ox with an odd beat is all. It was her heart that she was worried about. He never told me any of this until many years had passed.

Saving the best for last

Jake & Missy's wedding  Nov. 2, 2013

He was so happy to make it to their wedding and be well enough to enjoy it. From the  first diagnosis making it to this celebration was his goal.