Six Months after Saying Goodbye: An Update

September 14, 2009

Dear Friends and Family,

Trini created this blog to keep you updated on her journey. She has been gone six months and this is an update as we continue on this journey without her.

First, Thank you to all of you for your kind words of encouragement, food, flowers, visits, cards, prayers, monetary donations and thoughtfulness. We are grateful to each of you. As a family, we continue to grieve, but the comfort of others is a tremendous source of strength.


Because Trini would have started with Luke so will I:

Luke completed fourth grade at Redeemer Lutheran School. It was a bit of a challenge. You see, Trini was always the one who kept up with assignment due dates and school happenings. Without her, a few things got mixed up, but with help from Aunt Tori, Brett and an understanding teacher, the year ended with everything completed.


I am pleased to report that Luke has returned to Redeemer this fall thanks to a scholarship and some generous donations from friends at Redeemer. This was very important to Trini and we were all happy to get this news early in the summer.


Luke had a busy summer. In June, he went with Grandma and Pop Pop (Warner) to Atlanta to spend a week with Aunt Traci, Uncle Steve and Cousins Ryan, Mazie and Malori. He spent a few weeks at Environmental Camp. Brett and Luke went on a cruise with some friends. They said good bye to the Kelly’s who moved to California, traveled to Tennessee to visit Brett’s parents who are spending the summer there, and started football practice.


Brett was able to visit his friend Barry out west while Luke was in Atlanta. Unfortunately thieves broke into Quality Golf Carts in early May and 12 carts were stolen. The police have no leads. As you may recall Brett had neck surgery earlier this year. He has recovered well and is playing golf again. You’ll have to ask him if it has improved his game. Brett and other members of the family post on Facebook.

We had a balloon launch at the beach to remember Trini’s birthday, May 3. Purple and white balloons floated off into a beautiful blue sky as the waves washed onto the sand. Trini loved the beach. We were reminded again how much we miss our sister, daughter, mother, wife and friend.


As time marches on we seek ways to keep Trini’s memory close, we also try to push the grief farther away – each in our own way.

My parents enjoy having Luke over often. He and Grandma go to the movies, bake brownies, play baseball, ride the scooter, talk about his Mom and take care of necessary things like going to the dentist and walking the dogs.

Terri is training for a Marathon in February that is a fund raiser for breast cancer. If you would like to learn more please follow Terri Childer’s link at breastcancermarathon.com.

Although the words to this song cause me to cry it also brings me comfort. I know one day I will be reunited with my sister in heaven.

Sincerely,

Tami

God and Time


I know you wished that you had been there to say goodbye
I know you wished that you could turn back the hands of time
I know the pain of loss you're feelin' is almost more than you can bear
But let me give you hope in despair


All you need is God and time
To heal your broken heart
God and time
To lift you up from where you are
I don't have all the answers to all your questions why
All I know is all you really need is God and time


Only God can truly understand how His healing works
And how he uses time in our lives to overcome our hurts
But one thing you can be sure of He is not surprised
By anything that happens in your life


All you need is God and time
To heal your broken heart
God and time
To lift you up from where you are
I don't have all the answers to all your questions why
All I know is all you really need is God and time


I know this side of heaven we may never understand
But we can trust the heart of God
And know we're always in His hands


All you need is God and time
To heal your broken heart
God and time
To lift you up from where you are
I don't have all the answers to all your questions why
All I know is all you really need is God and time