Happy Trails

I have been on the go lately. I returned yesterday from the funeral of my great Uncle Jack (brother to my grandmother). If there is such a thing, I went to the most wonderful funeral, it was a true celebration of his life. Friends and family shared memories. It was so personal. What a send off!
I will always recall my Uncle Jack having handsome movie star looks.

Even in his last days, he retained that dashing star quality. As a teen I found him incredibly "cool". He and I shared a fondness, a love really, for vintage Corvettes. One particular occasion, he arrived to a family reunion in his gold corvette and allowed a young..age fifteen Leigh to drive down country roads. It meant alot to me that he trusted me with his treasure. "See how it's designed to make corners? Do you feel that?" All I could feel was excitement to be driving such a dream machine.
But our similarities were more than that. He loved birds, plants, traveling to foreign places. He was a missionary through his trade of dentistry. He loved his freedom (he was a military man). He loved and was particularly fond of his  friends and his family. But most importantly, and what was emphasized yesterday at his "going away celebration", he was a simple man. The preacher man knew him well but yet he shared that "Jack was not one who had a "honk if you love Jesus sticker on his car." He didn't need that to prove he was a christian. He didn't have to share his relationship with the world. He lived it." I can only pray that same can be said at my "going away celebration". Happy Trails, Uncle Jack.

Death is never easy. Depending on the circumstances, it can "feel" like a death has occured within us. And I suppose it does. But it's so important to go on. Which brings me to sharing of a blogger who recently lost her son. He was serving in Iraq. Becky of Thoughtfully Blended Hearts  wrote a post about fallen soildier Izzy O'Brien. She has asked her readers to lift Izzy's family in prayer. And in thoughts (through email, comments). You can read the story here. I appreciate bloggers who take the time to help her through her grief!!! Thank you
We all just celebrated such a wonderful weekend of our Nation's Independence. It goes without saying that the aforementioned gentlemen in this post can both be credited to that freedom and our history in protecting it. President Ronald Reagan once said, ""Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." I always loved that quote for it is so true.

I'll meet you back here tomorrow.
Have a great day!