the four of us

 

This family photo collage has hung in our hallway for years.

It's extra special to me now because our family will never be the same.

It's only three of us now, instead of four.

 

God blessed me and Brian with two sons - Philip in 1988 and Timothy in 1990.

This photo was taken in April 1993 when we were vacationing in Cancun.

It was our first "real" family vacation. My mom had a condo there, so we were

able to have free accommodations.

And this photo was taken on Thanksgiving of 2007. Or 2008. I can't remember the exact date.

 I love seeing how both the boys went through their long hair phase. 

That's Phil beside me in the black t-shirt and Tim in the striped shirt.

 This last picture was taken a long time ago - around 1998. Phil would've been 10 and Tim, 7-1/2.

We were at our friend's annual Fall Day party. Wow, was my hair thick and curly!

The four of us were wearing matching sweatshirts from Brian's work. Sorry I had to put

stars over the logos. I just don't think it's a good idea to put too much private info out

there on the internet.

Those family times when the four of us were together were happier times.

But the memories and photos are all we have left, as Phil's life ended in September of 2009.

I'm not sure how to end this post. I could say something that everyone already knows...

"Tell your family and friends that you love them". "Life is too short". "Count your blessings".

Yes, yes, and yes.

But, it doesn't sound good enough. So, I'll do what I sometimes do when my own words

fail me. I'll use someone else's words:

When You Love a Child - Reba McEntire

And year after year
Pictures fill page after page
They never really grow up
Still your baby at any age
And the first time you hold 'em
It's like you feel God's smile
What a smile
When you have a child

You pray that phone call never comes
And if God forbid
How would you live
How could you go on
And on and on and on

And year after year
Close the chapter and turn the page
Blue ribbons and losing seasons
Flipping tassles on the stage
Oh but you don't need a photograph
You've got at least a million
Pictures of that smile
When you close your eyes
When you love a child
Ohh when you love a child

 Linking to Mockingbird Hill Cottage - A Favorite Thing