So now here I sit knowing that next month is going to be one of the hardest ever. Memorial Day is on Monday and I want to tell everyone I meet to remember those lost and carry on their memories, but secretly I want to stay in my bed under the covers not believing that He is one of the ones we have to remember.
Larry Parks Jr. was one of the greatest men to ever live. Of all morals and dreams to live on, he lived on the best. He gave me such hope and love, he helped me when I thought I was at my lowest. He saw beauty in me that I didn't know existed. Then, he gave me the greatest gift any man could give a woman, a chance to be a mom. I had our beautiful little girl in August of 06. They never got the chance to meet until this time last year, before he left for Iraq. My baby was 8 months old the first time they met. He smiled at her and said she had his eyes, and from that moment on there was a connection when they looked at eachother. Before he left he told me to take care of her, I chuckled and told him she would be walking and talking when he got home.
38 days after he got to Iraq, his tank hit an IED and he died. I talked to him a couple different times while he was there, I thought he was going to be okay. I was wrong and to this day it hurts that I didn't say all that I could have said if I would have known I wouldn't get a chance to again.
My daughter was 10 months old when we had to bury her father, she could barely say words yet, but the day we had to close his casket, she looked in, smiled so sweetly and said "bye" My daughters first real words were daddy, I would like to believe he comes to see her and give her comfort when I can't. She knows where he is buried and now at 21 months, she takes him flowers and says hello and bye bye.
Remember all those lost in wars long ago and ones we are still involved in today. My blessings go out to all the men who have went over for 3 tours and made it home safely, and for those not that fortunate. This year is the first year I have to mourn and remember my daughters father, and we will do it gladly every year for the rest of our lives.
Happy Memorial Day
