The Miracle of the Family Pictures

As you share your stories of Mark with us, we'd like to share a few of our miracles with you. Just weeks ago, the day before Thanksgiving 2008, against all odds, we were able to gather everyone for these family pictures. It was raining all day and we even cancelled the pictures a few hours earlier thinking another day would be better. But something told us to get them done come rain or shine so we called the photographer back and wrangled the troops. As we stood together for the family photos above, the rain stopped just for a minute, the sun gleamed, and for a moment we were able to capture this last glimpse of us together.

This one (below) is perfect. Mark just smiled and enjoyed every moments of his restless grandkids not cooperating with our visions of a glorious grand kid picture. He seemed so happy, so content. I remember thinking how calm he was and proud he looked to be in the middle of all the action.

We were done, finished, packed up and ready to go when I thought I would impose upon the photographer for one last shot (below). It was last minute really. Everyone had started walking back to the cars. I was thinking I shouldn't have asked because we had already kept the photographer so long, but I couldn't help it. This last idea is the most priceless photograph we have now. Mark and Sheila were "looking back" at everyone of us one last time when this was taken (we were all standing behind the photographer). We were laughing and smiling at them and I was thinking of how much they loved eachother and enjoyed eachothers company. At this moment I was loving watching them together and was taken aback by their genuine happiness just in being together. There were issues and problems all around us, but when they turned around, I didn't see any of it. Every eye was on them, every face was smiling at them, every heart heart was touched by them. I am so grateful we have this moment to last us forever.

We have felt many such tender mercies on our behalf this week and pray for them to continue. It is becomming difficult to take the first steps back into life not only because we do them with out Mark here, but because we feel the angels that have held us, sheltered us, and attended to us, pulling slowly away as we enter the world again.

It has helped so much to have your prayers. We feel them, we need them, and we need you. Continue to send your stories of Mark. Thank you all for your support.