I am always glad when August comes around, it means that July is over. July is a hard month for me emotionally, it is the month that my Grandma Hamilton passed away as well as her birthday month. Her birthday was this past Sunday and as I woke up I used the early morning alone time to get out my scrapbook and look at what few pictures I have of her. This year I decided to read a letter that my Grandpa Hamilton wrote me about a month after she passed away. I hadn't read the letter since the first time I read it, a little over 22 years ago. As I read it all the same emotions and feelings I had back then came flooding back and I could remember everything surrounding him writing me. I just sat there with his letter in one hand and a picture of her in the other. I miss both of them greatly. It made me think how different our family would be if they were still around. How much stronger would our extended family bond be if they were still here as the glue holding us all together. Then it also makes me think about how little time I spend with my one grandpa I have left on this earth. I wish there was a pause life button that I could push just to enjoy those passing precious moments.
Not all of July is sad and depressing. I love the 4th of July, it is one of my favorite holidays, maybe that is because you get to light fireworks. What boy doesn't love blowing things up and lighting explosives. This year we had a good time with some old friends, some new friends, and some family, oh and of course a bunch of "illegal" fireworks. July also marks the traditional scout summer camp season. This year I was able to go back to Circle X Ranch at Big Horn in Lake Arrowhead, CA with the deacons from our ward. Although I wasn't able to make it up the full week, I was able to get up there by dinner on Wednesday night and stay up till Saturday afternoon when it was time to bring 'em home. This year I was able to take Aaron up with me since his camp was over. It was great to be able to spend some father son bonding time with him. We had some good conversations when we were alone together on the ride up and a lot of laughs together through out the week. I love that kid! He is such an awesome young man. On the last night at camp the staff up there put on a big campfire with skits, songs, and a slide show. As part of it they have all the Eagle Scouts get on stage in a big line and they each take a turn stating their full name, troop, city, and the date they became an Eagle. As Aaron was standing there in the line I thought that this is what it is all about, all the hard work in the scouting program all leads up to moments like this, it was the first time I saw him in this line up and heard him say it. I will admit it hit me and I got teary eyed. I am so proud of him! IN a blink of an eye he will be standing in the Temple, and then I will be hugging him outside of the MTC. Where is that pause button!!!!! In a day and age when most parents are wishing and waiting for the day to come so they can get ride of their kids and kick them out, I am wishing and wanting time to stand still so I can have them longer. I love my kids, my wife, my family, and of course, my friends!
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1 comments:
I thought about Grandma on Sunday too. You were blessed to have such a close relationship with our grandparents-- and I know they loved you dearly :) I have such fond memories of family gatherings, the Easter picnics, Christmas Eve at the Martins, baptisms and birthdays. Sad that our gatherings now are few and far between and often far from the entire family attend. Perhaps we can do something to change that...
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