This is my father-in-law, John. With his lovely wife, Ann. This picture is in their backyard, taken in the spring of 2009. They are so beautiful! John won't be long in the world much longer as his congestive heart failure has progressed to the point of beginning to shut down all the other systems in his body. It hurts a lot to be so far away and not be able to be there and bring them some comfort as family. John is 87 years old. I will always remember that smile. He sure is a great smiler! Ann is such a sweet and simple woman. It doesn't make sense in my mind or heart to think of her separately from him. Although I would not have ever said I thought they were really close and intimate with each other, they are. My husband is 46 years old and I am sure that John and Ann have been married at least 50 years. My heart hurts for them. For this place where they are. I would love to be able to hold them. These next months are going to be a whole new experience for all of us. I will be looking to my Lord for guidance, wisdom and comfort, for his leading and love. My own dad has been gone from this world for 14 years. I guess this is bringing back some of that experience too. Those people who touch our lives at the very formation of it.... they will be mourned for as long as we remain on this side of heaven. I was so thankful to find this picture in my computer!
