Happy Birthday, dear Charles–now in heaven
Yesterday, October 11, would have been Charles’ 87th birthday, but he flew to heaven in March so we didn’t get to celebrate the day with him in person.
I love this photo, taken at one of our favorite get-away spots: Cambria, California along the Central Coast.
We LOVED to walk the trail above the ocean and stop to watch the sea life, the roaring waves and the abundance of greenery all around. Oh how I miss our times there together. Cambria was our place to rest, regroup, and relax. If I go there again it will be a poignant time of remembrance and gratitude–for the man I loved, my partner and husband and friend and protector.
‘Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.’
Philippians 1:3
Every time I think of Charles (and especially on the occasion of his earthly birthday yesterday), I also give thanks to God for the time we spent serving together as Deacons as well as the wonderful friend, mentor & confidant he was to me over the years.
Thank you, Glenda. You remain one of our dearest and most treasured friends. I have so many wonderful memories of our times together when we lived in San Diego near you and the kids.
What a touching tribute. I don’t want to call this a blog. It would demean the memory. I have listened to you tell us about Charles for a long time. You make him sound like a man that we wish we could have ALL met. He sounds like a tremendous man of God. I too like the beach. I go there often to be alone with our Lord. I feel anointed there because I dedicate that time to Him. Do you remember that song about the deck of cards and how it was his Bible. Well the ocean reminds me of God: The depth, the width, the vastness, the power, how it sustains life under it and carries those above it, how the surf can wash or feet, and so much more. GBY this day Karen and every day thereafter. Thanks for your wonderful friendship. If I might: May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift His countenance toward you and give you peace. Peace and comfort to you this day Karen.
Thank you, Jim. I really appreciate your share. It touches my heart and I accept with gratitude your sweet prayer for peace.
I love that photo too and am so glad you had as much time together as you did. Cambria is such a wonderful spot to share and he enjoyed it as much as you did.
I miss Charles too.
Love,
Julie
Thanks, Julie. It means a lot to me that you, too, miss Charles. He certainly loved and admired you, as you know.
Karen, Thanks for the lovely remembrance of Charles.
Nancy, it’s so good to hear from you. Thank you for remembering Charles along with me.
What a blessing to remember our loved ones with joy, knowing they are with Jesus. Your dear Charles is rejoicing in the His presence. When we all get to Heaven we will rejoice together. Blessing on you and his memory!
Etta Mae, thanks for your sweet comment. You know how it is to mourn the loss of a wonderful husband. You are ahead of me on this path and are an inspiration to me.
He was a great guy. Sorry he’s not with you here on Earth anymore, but you’ll be together again in Heaven someday.
Thank you, Janet. You know the widow’s walk too, so I can imagine you and I share similar feelings about the loss of our dear husbands.
Dear Karen, I have Charles’s birthday marked on my calendar and naturally thought of him and YOU yesterday and today also! I like the picture you have here of Charles and I know you cherish all those great memories. I hope you will be able to go back to those special places someday soon.
My Herb and I had a vacation time share at Ft. Myers Beach here in Florida. We were there every year for two weeks in June and one in October for over 15 years. We would sit on the screened in balcony each morning, Herb would read our devotional out loud and we took turns with the praying.I MUST share a bit of humor here ! Soon after we married he decided that instead of our deciding who would pray ( or where we would go for lunch, etc.) he would take the even days and I could have the odd ones. So on the odd days it was my turn, and he prayed on the even days. One day I asked him “how come I am the odd one??” He grinned and reminded me there are never two EVEN days together but there were odd days-1st and 31st and that way I would have to pray two days together!! Of course he really did not mind praying out loud and he could pray very meaningful prayers that inspired all of us but he was a very logical person!! The beach where we stayed is one of the most beautiful places! We had such a good times each year and met so many great people who returned each year. I still stay in touch with some of them. The first year after he died I dreaded going because I thought I would really be sad! I was surprised! I sat on the balcony by myself, read and prayed and mostly gave thanks to God for having such wonderful memories and for Herb. I took a large photo of him, all our friends were so happy to see me and to see Herb’s photo and we had such wonderful times “remembering” all the years we had been together. I found myself being very happy even tho I did miss him but it was not a painful ‘miss’. I watched the waves come into the sand and watched the sandpipers run back and forth eating the tiny Coquines when they would emerge from the sand then be covered again with the waves. I felt near to God all the time while there, watching the pelicans fly by so close to my screen I could have touched them, and seeing all the other birds flying by. It was wonderful and instead of being sad I felt so close to Herb and felt his presence with me. I still have my two weeks in June and had been there every year since Herb died in 2002 until 2014. I was not able to go and could not go this year. I am just too unsteady in my walking, even tho I am holding on to my walker with both hands! I have no regrets and do not feel sorrow that I perhaps may never go again but I just thank God that I did go and enjoy it “once upon a time”!
LOVE TO YOU and Happy Memories.
Margaret
Margaret, I love reading your stories about you and Herb. Your example inspires me. Thanks for sharing in my ‘walk’ by encouraging me with your words of love and concern.
Such a sweet tribute, Karen. I LOVE that photo. What joy is in that picture. Hugs at this poignant time. He looked just like this at Mt. Hermon when I met him. Such a smile!
Kristi
Kristi, many thanks for your kind comment. I’m happy you got to meet Charles.
I know you miss him, Karen. We have to be thankful for happy memories. He would be pleased that you are staying positive without his hand to physically hold.
Bless you.
Marie, you too, are an example for me of how to keep going. Thank you for your continued encouragement.
What a beautiful love story, Karen. I so enjoyed reading it. So heart touching. I also love the quote: “Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.” What an inspiration! Thanks for the wonderful sharing. Jing
Jing, many thanks for your sweet comment. God is good and he has provided me with good friends as I carry on in my new life.
Karen thank you so much for your tender and loving tribute to Charles.Your words really touched my heart. I love that photograph of Charles. Your courage to walk through your grief with the Lord by your side inspires me. Bless you my friend.
Thank you, Sandy. I always appreciate your support and prayers.