Christmas Eve

Scott bought a live Christmas tree (with lights) for the Greg's grave. He hoped that Greg's sons would put something on the tree, but that didn't work out.

Greg's wife said that she would never go to Greg's grave - that it was meaningless for her.  I guess that they've discussed it at home and that the boys feel the same way?  I don't know, but I'm pretty sure no one from that end of the family has been to the grave.  

I wasn't so sure I wanted to go at Christmas - maybe more sadness than I could stand.  But I wanted to honor Scott's remembrance of his brother. 

Scott took the tree to the cemetery around the middle of December and I hoped to get some ornaments and decorate the tree long before this, but I've been really sick - upper respiratory infection and not allowed outside in the cold.  Housebound. 

I'm a little better today and it's Christmas Eve and I'm out of time, so Michael and I took ornaments to the cemetery to decorate the tree for Greg and his father.  (They're buried next to each other).

I bought some small blue Christmas balls (blue was Greg's favorite color) and wrote on them with a silver marker  -  things that would be meaningful to Greg (like his #7 that he was SO obsessive about in high school) - or that would be meaningful for his father.   I also purchased some small traditional ornaments (an angel, a star, drummer boy, etc.) that I wanted to put on the tree - and one big brass jingle bell with a red ribbon. 

Michael took wire so that he could wire the ornaments on the tree to keep them from blowing away.   I can't possibly describe to you the sadness of being at my son's grave - any time - but especially Christmas Eve.   It was impossible - and yet, I was there.  Michael and I both cried the entire time we were there.

I don't think I'm a cemetery person.  I don't feel close to Greg at his grave.  I'm engulfed by a tidal wave of sadness as soon as I pull into the cemetery.  At Greg's grave, I feel like I'm drowning.  There is no comfort for me at Greg's grave.

As hard as it was to decorate the tree at Greg's grave on Christmas Eve, I'm grateful to Scott for the tree - for the remembrance of his brother.  Greg's grave is a memorial to his life - and so, even though I find no comfort there, I'm grateful that I was able to help Scott honor his brother at Christmas.  

 you remember
what his laugh sounded like?
Yes.
Do you remember
what he looked like catching a ball?
He never caught the ball in his life.
But I remember.
That's because when God
takes someone away from us...
He leaves what's most important
about that person with us.
Right here in our hearts.

Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=preachers-wife-th

I'm sorry
about your friend, Hakim.
What if I told you...
that he's not really gone?
Hakim?
Did he run away and come back?
- No, he never left.
- Yes, he did. I saw him go.
Well, you know, my mother...
once lost someone
who was very dear to her.
He wasn't as young as Hakim,
but he was...
too young, just the same.
And she would always do something
that seemed to make her feel better.
- You want to try it?
- Yeah.
All right, close your eyes.
Do you remember
playing in the snow with Hakim?
Do you remember
what his laugh sounded like?
Yes.
Do you remember
what he looked like catching a ball?
He never caught the ball in his life.
But I remember.
That's because when God
takes someone away from us...
He leaves what's most important
about that person with us.
Right here in our hearts.
Yeah, but I still miss him.
Well, she still misses him too.
Are you all right?
Maybe you should close your eyes.

Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=preachers-wife-the

Do you remember
what his laugh sounded like?
Yes.
Do you remember
what he looked like catching a ball?
He never caught the ball in his life.
But I remember.
That's because when God
takes someone away from us...
He leaves what's most important
about that person with us.
Right here in our hearts.

Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/movie_script.php?movie=preachers-wife-th 

This quote came from the movie, "The Preacher's Wife"...

"When God takes someone away from us... he leaves what's most important
about that person with us.  Right here in our hearts."

I can close my eyes and hear his laugh.  I remember his many kindnesses - his sense of humor - his love of music.  I can see him playing baseball - and football.  I can see him sitting outside on my porch, leaning against the stone wall of the house, holding hi son, Alex when he was a baby.

That's where I feel close to Greg - that's where Greg will always be alive for me - in the memories.

Greg is gone from this earth - but never gone from my heart.

I love you, Greg - forever and always.