10 years gone

Hi Family, 

I can't believe it's been ten years. All my memories are clear as day like it was yesterday. I still find myself talking to Dad and often asking him "how are you not here?" It still doesn't seem normal. I doubt it ever will. I still see hummingbirds often and almost always when I'm hoping to see one just at the right time. I love that and get a rush of comfort like he's saying "im okay."

Below is a poem I found and have been waiting to share till this week. I find some comfort in it. I hope you do to. 

Also! Below is a video link to 20 minutes of hearing Dad at Christmas in 1986. It's a blessing to have these videos. Yesterday I worked on syncing up the sound. The voices were off on our mouths and it's much more pleasurable to watch now. I'll also attach links to the  videos I've posted over the years. I've discovered that as our technology changes I loose track of where files are. For example. I don't know where the link or file is of the  photo slideshow I made of dad when he died. For that reason alone, for these videos and that slideshow (when I find it, I know it's on one of my old computers or drives) I'm going to have links to them on my family blog so that they can always be found by me and you. 

I love you all. Don't forget about the poem below. 

Ashley 

new video ---> Christmas 1986 Atlanta 

https://vimeo.com/154277282

Christmas 1992 Greeneville 

https://vimeo.com/115618843

Padre Island 1986

http://youtu.be/XuerV8zSYJY

Our Johnson City house and Dad's things. 

(I recorded this a week after he died to remember just how things were with him in the home.)

Feb 13, 2006

http://youtu.be/ukCgd2G26-I

Death is nothing at all. 

I have only slipped away to the next room. 

I am I and you are you. 

Whatever we were to each other, 

That, we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. 

Speak to me in the easy way 

which you always used. 

Put no difference into your tone. 

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. 

Laugh as we always laughed 

at the little jokes we enjoyed together. 

Play, smile, think of me. Pray for me. 

Let my name be ever the household word 

that it always was. 

Let it be spoken without effect. 

Without the trace of a shadow on it. 

Life means all that it ever meant. 

It is the same that it ever was. 

There is absolute unbroken continuity. 

Why should I be out of mind 

because I am out of sight? 

I am but waiting for you. 

For an interval. 

Somewhere. Very near. 

Just around the corner. 

All is well. 

Nothing is past; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before only better, infinitely happier and forever we will all be one together with Christ.

by Henry Scott Holland