Father's Day`

We survived. We started with going to pick up flowers before visiting the cemetery. The kids picked out yellow roses tinged with red/orange on the tips.  We spent quite a while working out the debacle of cutting the flowers to the correct length, picking out the kids favorite flower holder, and figuring out where we wanted to put them. The kids were all business at this point.  And then the goofiness started. I love how kids can find ways to have fun, play and have joy even in the worst of circumstances.  One minute they are serious, and the next they are playing leap frog over the grave. They were legit long jumping Josh's plot. I was cracking up.  Even now they find a way to play with their father.  :) Five minutes later everyone else left and the kids and I just bawled.
We headed to my parents' house to swim and hang out with family.  The kids and I swam and enjoyed the delightfully warm pool water. The kids spent hours being tossed in the air by uncles, practicing their diving board skills, and swimming laps. They had a wonderful time playing and having fun. I am thankful for the joy in the midst of the sorrow. In all reality we were beyond blessed. Josh was an incredible father to our children. He was loving and patient beyond belief. He showed them his commitment to Christ. He spent time with them and invested in their lives.  He loved them well. That is a legacy that my children will have forever, even though it was far too short.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6