Memorial Day
As we come into the 2012 celebration of Memorial Day, I wonder how many of us actually stop to remember someone who served in our Armed Forces during any of the wars in our lifetimes. Today, I actually did.
You see, I have several members of my family who served during World War II; Korea; Vietnam and now Afghanistan and Iraq wars. I fully intended to stand up in church today representing my Son-in-Law, Stephen, who is a Marine and has served both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today was bittersweet and difficult. Last night, my Father-in-Law, MSGT Howard T. Brown went to be with the Lord, and today's service was difficult to sit through, to worship through without breaking down in tears.
MSGT Brown was born in New Hampshire and lost his parents when he was just a child. He was raised by his Grandmother who was raised in the late 1800's and raised her grandson in like manner. He grew up into adulthood with the common sense that came from that era, and probably, I'm guessing, got the rough edges from that era as well. I don't really know, or perhaps don't remember all of the specifics of his adulthood, such as when he joined the Army, when he met Nana or what war was the one that he was most active in. I do know, though, that he did serve some time in Germany where his oldest daughter was born. When they settled down it was in Chaparral, New Mexico. He was a Customs Officer on the Juarez Bridge during that time there, but it was after he retired that I met him.
Because we did not live in the same state as my in-laws most of the 25 years that Chris and I have been married, my time with them was pretty limited. When they decided to move to Arizona, I had more of an opportunity to visit with them since they were not that far from my parents. For the most part, we had very good visits, and they were certainly not long enough in my opinion.
Most of the memories that I have are all very fond, I racked my brain earlier to see if I could remember anytime that I was with him that was negative and I could not think of any. I don't know if its my memory just giving me selected things or if I just didn't have that many that stood out, I don't know, I'm guessing that its his passing that has clouded those memories, if there are any.
One of my first memories of Howard Brown was when Chris and I pulled up on his farm in my Escort with a MADD sticker on the back. I found out that, among other things, he was very opinionated. I didn't mind that so much, so is my dad, I just figured it went with the old-fashioned mentality. I'm pretty sure that it was the same trip that he about had a conniption over a horse that I was riding.
Chris and I decided to take a couple of the horses out. Because I hadn't ridden in quite a number of years, Chris put me on the gentler horse while he took the younger, more spirited one. On the way back, I was getting bored with my ride and convinced him to trade with me. I had heard his sister tell him earlier that particular horse was a retired barrel racer, so don't touch the saddle horn or dig in. Those instructions were relayed to me. I told Chris that I had heard Lisa when she told him and that I would be careful. The next thing I knew, I was just feet from a rather large cross-beam that led to the barn. As best as I can remember is that I was slipping in the saddle and instinctively dug in...the horse took off. I could feel myself sliding so I grabbed the saddle horn and then she absolutely bolted. From there, I remember telling her, "Whoa, you stupid horse! Whoa! WHOA!!!"....and she stopped.....roughly about four or maybe five feet from that cross-beam. Later that evening, after I got chewed out, Chris really got chewed out. I think that's probably the worst thing that I can really remember, but looking at it now I can't help but chuckle a little at the whole thing. Of course, PopPop, as my children would come to call him, was not amused.
We had other times that were just as humorous, looking back at them, but none as funny as when my youngest said "fart" in his presence. Swearing was not foreign to him, so we were immensely amused at him being so flustered at a little girl using that word. Even today we still laugh about it.
Earlier today I had so many other examples of times that made me smile, or shake my head. I remember listening to him and my dad one evening talking and it sounded like they came from the same cloth. Their views, values and opinions were pretty much the same if not mirrored in each other. Maybe that's why I was pretty fond of him. There were so many other instances, but these just stood out in my mind the most.
In the first part of this month of May, he had a stroke that had affected his left side. Prior to that, about a year and a half before, he was diagnosed with dementia. I remember hearing that news and breathing a sigh of relief at finding out that he didn't have Alzheimer's. Both, as I have come to find out, are incredibly cruel diseases, taking precious memories and twisting them or eliminating them altogether. After his stroke, he declined rather quickly.
Last night, Chris mentioned that it was "weird" that Andrea and I came through El Paso on the way home in the manner that we did. I disagreed, I totally believe that it was by Design. Had we been able to get on a flight home, we would not have been able to stop to see him. When Dad came up with the idea of driving home and the Beast rolled up, massive prayers went up asking God if He was sure this was my mode of transportation getting home. I didn't hear the still, small voice, but I had a peace about the transaction, and faith that once we were mostly road ready that it would make the entire trip. That faith never wavered. When we rolled up into El Paso and decided to stay overnight and then an extra day, again, the peace stayed that this was what we were supposed to do. Andrea and I were able to see PopPop and tell him that we loved him, and he returned the sentiment and it was a good thing. He had a few lucid moments with us and I am thankful for that. The following day, we were on the road home.
Since, we have gone about our lives, Chris checking in with them daily and Nana and PopPop had been struggling with the therapy and medications and finally the hospice. Andrea and I went to an auction last night and then on the way home she turned to me in the car and told me that she didn't want PopPop to go to Heaven. At that time, I was not aware of what had happened. When we walked into the house, Chris told me that he had passed.
This morning, as I was having my morning coffee, I talked with Beth in Japan, both of us consoling each other, her consoling me more than I was her. As Andrea and I were leaving I received the text that MSGT Howard T. Brown was now serving in the Lord's Army, as he had accepted Christ into his life just days before during a scarce lucid moment. Like I've said before and believe still, God is never too late and always on time.
So, today was indeed bittersweet. While we were honoring those in the service, those of us in the congregation were asked to stand if we served, were serving or were representing members of the Armed Forces. I stood for four out of the five, and was very proud to do so. My father-in-law may have had a rough cut about him; he may have been offended by the word fart, but the one thing that I can never fault him for is his love for his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and for the love that he had for this Country which he served for so many years of his life. Rest in peace, PopPop. We love you, we will miss you terribly and we will see you when we get Home.
You see, I have several members of my family who served during World War II; Korea; Vietnam and now Afghanistan and Iraq wars. I fully intended to stand up in church today representing my Son-in-Law, Stephen, who is a Marine and has served both in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today was bittersweet and difficult. Last night, my Father-in-Law, MSGT Howard T. Brown went to be with the Lord, and today's service was difficult to sit through, to worship through without breaking down in tears.
MSGT Brown was born in New Hampshire and lost his parents when he was just a child. He was raised by his Grandmother who was raised in the late 1800's and raised her grandson in like manner. He grew up into adulthood with the common sense that came from that era, and probably, I'm guessing, got the rough edges from that era as well. I don't really know, or perhaps don't remember all of the specifics of his adulthood, such as when he joined the Army, when he met Nana or what war was the one that he was most active in. I do know, though, that he did serve some time in Germany where his oldest daughter was born. When they settled down it was in Chaparral, New Mexico. He was a Customs Officer on the Juarez Bridge during that time there, but it was after he retired that I met him.
Because we did not live in the same state as my in-laws most of the 25 years that Chris and I have been married, my time with them was pretty limited. When they decided to move to Arizona, I had more of an opportunity to visit with them since they were not that far from my parents. For the most part, we had very good visits, and they were certainly not long enough in my opinion.
Most of the memories that I have are all very fond, I racked my brain earlier to see if I could remember anytime that I was with him that was negative and I could not think of any. I don't know if its my memory just giving me selected things or if I just didn't have that many that stood out, I don't know, I'm guessing that its his passing that has clouded those memories, if there are any.
One of my first memories of Howard Brown was when Chris and I pulled up on his farm in my Escort with a MADD sticker on the back. I found out that, among other things, he was very opinionated. I didn't mind that so much, so is my dad, I just figured it went with the old-fashioned mentality. I'm pretty sure that it was the same trip that he about had a conniption over a horse that I was riding.
Chris and I decided to take a couple of the horses out. Because I hadn't ridden in quite a number of years, Chris put me on the gentler horse while he took the younger, more spirited one. On the way back, I was getting bored with my ride and convinced him to trade with me. I had heard his sister tell him earlier that particular horse was a retired barrel racer, so don't touch the saddle horn or dig in. Those instructions were relayed to me. I told Chris that I had heard Lisa when she told him and that I would be careful. The next thing I knew, I was just feet from a rather large cross-beam that led to the barn. As best as I can remember is that I was slipping in the saddle and instinctively dug in...the horse took off. I could feel myself sliding so I grabbed the saddle horn and then she absolutely bolted. From there, I remember telling her, "Whoa, you stupid horse! Whoa! WHOA!!!"....and she stopped.....roughly about four or maybe five feet from that cross-beam. Later that evening, after I got chewed out, Chris really got chewed out. I think that's probably the worst thing that I can really remember, but looking at it now I can't help but chuckle a little at the whole thing. Of course, PopPop, as my children would come to call him, was not amused.
We had other times that were just as humorous, looking back at them, but none as funny as when my youngest said "fart" in his presence. Swearing was not foreign to him, so we were immensely amused at him being so flustered at a little girl using that word. Even today we still laugh about it.
Earlier today I had so many other examples of times that made me smile, or shake my head. I remember listening to him and my dad one evening talking and it sounded like they came from the same cloth. Their views, values and opinions were pretty much the same if not mirrored in each other. Maybe that's why I was pretty fond of him. There were so many other instances, but these just stood out in my mind the most.
In the first part of this month of May, he had a stroke that had affected his left side. Prior to that, about a year and a half before, he was diagnosed with dementia. I remember hearing that news and breathing a sigh of relief at finding out that he didn't have Alzheimer's. Both, as I have come to find out, are incredibly cruel diseases, taking precious memories and twisting them or eliminating them altogether. After his stroke, he declined rather quickly.
Last night, Chris mentioned that it was "weird" that Andrea and I came through El Paso on the way home in the manner that we did. I disagreed, I totally believe that it was by Design. Had we been able to get on a flight home, we would not have been able to stop to see him. When Dad came up with the idea of driving home and the Beast rolled up, massive prayers went up asking God if He was sure this was my mode of transportation getting home. I didn't hear the still, small voice, but I had a peace about the transaction, and faith that once we were mostly road ready that it would make the entire trip. That faith never wavered. When we rolled up into El Paso and decided to stay overnight and then an extra day, again, the peace stayed that this was what we were supposed to do. Andrea and I were able to see PopPop and tell him that we loved him, and he returned the sentiment and it was a good thing. He had a few lucid moments with us and I am thankful for that. The following day, we were on the road home.
Since, we have gone about our lives, Chris checking in with them daily and Nana and PopPop had been struggling with the therapy and medications and finally the hospice. Andrea and I went to an auction last night and then on the way home she turned to me in the car and told me that she didn't want PopPop to go to Heaven. At that time, I was not aware of what had happened. When we walked into the house, Chris told me that he had passed.
This morning, as I was having my morning coffee, I talked with Beth in Japan, both of us consoling each other, her consoling me more than I was her. As Andrea and I were leaving I received the text that MSGT Howard T. Brown was now serving in the Lord's Army, as he had accepted Christ into his life just days before during a scarce lucid moment. Like I've said before and believe still, God is never too late and always on time.
So, today was indeed bittersweet. While we were honoring those in the service, those of us in the congregation were asked to stand if we served, were serving or were representing members of the Armed Forces. I stood for four out of the five, and was very proud to do so. My father-in-law may have had a rough cut about him; he may have been offended by the word fart, but the one thing that I can never fault him for is his love for his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and for the love that he had for this Country which he served for so many years of his life. Rest in peace, PopPop. We love you, we will miss you terribly and we will see you when we get Home.
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