Memories

Today marks the one year anniversary of Daniel and I vacationing in Emerald Island, NC for a week long beach get-away. It was one of the most peaceful times in my life, ever!

Some may find it strange that I would post pictures of me and Daniel on a blog that is for Brian and I, but I am confident when I say that Brian doesn't mind sharing a little space with fond memories of Daniel.

I approach this day, not with sad thoughts, but with happy memories. The week that Daniel and I spent at the beach last year was the very last time that him and I spent time ALONE (Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the Realtor and friends that provided the house and set this all up. And the money that family provided for us to be able to get away for a little while - my heart is forever blessed because of those people). Once we returned from this vacation, we were surrounded by friends and family, hospice nurses, hospital beds, and the list goes on and on. I will, until the day I go home to be with Jesus, treasure the time that Daniel and I got to spend during this week of paradise. I believe this week was actually our week of saying "Goodbye" to one another in a private, loving, God-Filled surrounding.

During this week in North Carolina, Daniel was still walking on his own, still bathing himself, and still pretty much self-sufficient. It was amazing! I remember....eating great meals, seeing the sights, enjoying the beach, sitting on the porch - where Daniel read, read, and then read some more, feeding the birds, and even getting up early to watch Daniel's last sunrise here on earth. It was wonderful - no wheelchair, no cane, no chemo, and NO Seizures - God was so good to us that week and always!

I hope and pray that each of you that read this and that love Daniel as much as I do, you can remember wonderful memories that you have of him as well. As I prepare for my new life with Brian, I thank God everyday that I have found true love and that I am being blessed with Brian becoming my husband. I thank God for Brian being the man of God that he is and having the ability to understand that my life is not typical for a 27 year old, but my past does not define my future and loving Daniel has only made me a better woman. Daniel provided me with the ability to love Brian now as my husband, even more than I already had in friendship.

If there is one thing I could leave you with today, it would be the understanding that God is so amazing. He never leaves us or forsakes us, and when we are down, He picks us up and renews our strength. I pray daily for each of you and your relationships with the Lord, may you each know that same feeling of Peace and Love that He has for each of you.

I love you all!
Karen :)

I thought I would end this post with some memories of Daniel's writing from one year ago...

"It is around ten pm and we just got home from an excellent dinner and a walk on a nearby pier. Blink. It is now sat. evening I was falling asleep at the computer so I gave up after the first sentence. Anyway Karen and I had a great evening....I will just say it was an awesome time. Very relaxing.

1.) Thank You God for Karen my beautiful bride who takes care of me daily and nightly. Who seems to at times have the forethought of a master chess player.

2.) Thank You God for time spent with cousins that you don't get to see enough and for family that truly loves you by showing you. Thank you everyone, I Love You All.

3.) Thank You God for the small "roses" in my life...like being able to say I Love You to people and not see it in their eyes that if I left tonight they would know that I really do and it isn't just talk.

I LOVE YOU ALL,

Daniel"

“Life gives us brief moments with another...but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a life time...” ~Author Unknown~