September 3, 2008

• September 3rd

       

  I don’t need to turn the pages on the calendar to know what day is today.  My heart knew this day was coming weeks before its arrival.  Each day closer became harder and harder to bear and now it’s here.   The explicit details of September 3^rd 2006 and the week following will be etched in my heart and mind for always.   Those moments that keep flashing into my mind playing over and over again.  I barely remember the entire sequence of events but rather bits and pieces and even 2 years later some of these still flash into my mind: 

  The piercing scream of my mother after the phone rang,

  the long flight back to Oregon still in complete shock,

  the news interviews,

  the look on each of my family member’s faces,

  the plane pulling onto the tarmac with the fireman’s salute greeting my brother’s casket,

  the flag draped over the casket as it came out of the airplane,

  the long line of Patriot Guard Rider’s escorting us along I-5,

  the American flag flown at half mass,

  my niece crying her little eyes out and saying how much she misses her daddy,

  my brother laying in the casket,

   the 21 gun salute

  hearing taps

  the deafening silence at his memorial service during “the final roll call”

  the outpouring of love and support from so many,

  so many flowers

  the tree planted in memory of Rich

   

  So what am I doing on this two year anniversary of Rich’s death in Iraq?

   I’m living my life! 

  I haven’t forgotten,

   I still have a deep pain beyond anything I have ever experienced,

  I still cry,

   I still miss him….

  But I am doing exactly what he would want….

   While I still can I will live this life to the fullest. 

  I will value and cherish life more than ever,

  I will reach people with the love of Jesus,

  I will cry with those who are crying,

  I will hug those who hurt,

   I will share my experience so that those who are living without hope, may see hope in Jesus Christ lived out in my life….

   

  We are never guarenteed a tomorrow, our loved ones are not guarenteed a tomorrow.  How are you living your life today?  Does life matter or is it taken for granted?   God help me to never take it for granted.  My prayer for today. 

  “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.  He who goes out weeping carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”  Psalm 126:5-6

  To see pictures on the life of SFC Rich Henkes please go to my website at www.henkes.ministryhome.org and click on “In memory of my brother”.

   

  

  Blessings to you all,

  Tamara Henkes

   

  • 2:41 pm
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