I took a minute to write some thoughts to leave for some really important guys. We will go decorate graves on Monday and I'll leave a copy in plastic at each Uncle's grave. Just wanted to share with ya'll. Hope you'll each take a minute to remember those who have gone before in your life. Aren't they wondeful. Weren't we priviledged to know them!
To My Uncles- May 2009
These flowers don’t seem like nearly enough.
I stand here though, and spend a few minutes to remember, to cherish, and to mourn.
I hope that you know that you are remembered, missed. I hope you know you made a difference.
I have though about you often and those thoughts never fail to make me smile.
Or cause a lump to lodge in my throat. And as I blink away the tears it is amazing how your voice comes back, sarcastic and teasing, and my tears turn into grins.
I enjoy my thoughts and memories of you. I hold each one close and treasure its value.
I am a better man because of you, because of your example, you courage, your love.
I try to live up to your expectations. To your standards. To your legacy.
When I find myself mired in the ruts or walking back to the truck with wounded pride and sore ribs, I ponder about how you’d face this challenge.
I think about your stories and experiences and I usually find the ray of light among the storm clouds.
You still touch my life.
Even though you’ve been gone a bit, you still mean the world to me.
And I share you still, with my kids, my wife, and my friends.
They know about you. They learn a little more with each of my memories. And they love you to, in their own ways.
I stand here at your grave and I marvel at a life well lived.
And I know that under this sod, beneath this granite, lays only the glove.
The hand, the spirit is beyond the breeze, beyond the sunrise.
I have felt it while riding the trails. I have felt it when the stars start appearing at dusk. I have felt it in trials and in times of joy.
And I feel it today.
As I stand here with these flowers.
And these tears.
Thank you for your love.
Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for the lessons.
Thank you for everything.
I am proud to be your nephew, your student, your friend.
I am honored to follow in your footsteps, though the stride is tough to match.
I need you to understand and know that I will never forget.
These flowers aren’t much in return for all you’ve given me.
But I’ll bring them, every year.
And I’ll smile.
Darrell Holden, 09
To My Uncles- May 2009
These flowers don’t seem like nearly enough.
I stand here though, and spend a few minutes to remember, to cherish, and to mourn.
I hope that you know that you are remembered, missed. I hope you know you made a difference.
I have though about you often and those thoughts never fail to make me smile.
Or cause a lump to lodge in my throat. And as I blink away the tears it is amazing how your voice comes back, sarcastic and teasing, and my tears turn into grins.
I enjoy my thoughts and memories of you. I hold each one close and treasure its value.
I am a better man because of you, because of your example, you courage, your love.
I try to live up to your expectations. To your standards. To your legacy.
When I find myself mired in the ruts or walking back to the truck with wounded pride and sore ribs, I ponder about how you’d face this challenge.
I think about your stories and experiences and I usually find the ray of light among the storm clouds.
You still touch my life.
Even though you’ve been gone a bit, you still mean the world to me.
And I share you still, with my kids, my wife, and my friends.
They know about you. They learn a little more with each of my memories. And they love you to, in their own ways.
I stand here at your grave and I marvel at a life well lived.
And I know that under this sod, beneath this granite, lays only the glove.
The hand, the spirit is beyond the breeze, beyond the sunrise.
I have felt it while riding the trails. I have felt it when the stars start appearing at dusk. I have felt it in trials and in times of joy.
And I feel it today.
As I stand here with these flowers.
And these tears.
Thank you for your love.
Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for the lessons.
Thank you for everything.
I am proud to be your nephew, your student, your friend.
I am honored to follow in your footsteps, though the stride is tough to match.
I need you to understand and know that I will never forget.
These flowers aren’t much in return for all you’ve given me.
But I’ll bring them, every year.
And I’ll smile.
Darrell Holden, 09