My first Hero blog is about my #1 Hero in all this, my dear Emily. From the moment we met I have felt like she was a kindred spirit. I saw strength, goodness, dignity and grace and knew John was the luckiest man to have her love! I will never forget flying into Florida when John went missing and walking into their home and throwing my arms around her. We held each other sobbing, but with a mission to find this man we loved. Little did I know how much she would teach me over the next two weeks. Not only did Emily lose the love of her life, she dealt with the media, investigators, the military, the nation, and hundreds of loving family members and friends. In the middle of her grief her strength, goodness, dignity and grace did not waiver.
I felt like she led us in our grieving. We laughed when she laughed, cried when she cried, spoke lovingly about memories of John with her, and felt anger along side with her.
She gave interview after interview like she had been doing this for years, with humor, sincerity and love.
She led us in relying on each other in a way we have never had to do before.
When she rested, I rested.
She walked with courage, strength and dignity when her whole world was crumbling (at the memorial service, walking with one of John's instructor pilots: her support, escort and friend Lt Brandt.)
She gave us so many opportunities for joy and laughter (at the baby shower in Pensacola, given by her dear friends the evening of the memorial service).John is blessed to have her eternally - and I've decided as long as she's his, she's mine also. So to my #1 Hero, my dear Emily - you've taught me so much by your incredible example, you uplift me and inspire me. I love you!
3 comments:
What a wonderful way to remember! And Emily definitely deserves to be hero #1. Though I have to say if I were making the list, you would be a close running second. But I guess you won't be putting yourself on your own list. :)
I'm so glad you are doing this. I loved reading about Emily and look forward to reading your other Heros. I agree with the earlier comment that you better add yourself to that Hero list. :)
Julie, you and Steve are my heroes. Please know that you all are in my prayers without fail. I ask for the privilege of sharing your burdens and, if it would be possible, to be able to lighten your grief by just a portion, as you have done for me. I long for the day when we will be allowed to understand the reasons for the trials of this life, for on that day our grief, and our pain, will be only a memory.
Post a Comment