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Remembering You

(I have added a link to a page with all the slide shows over on the sidebar, under "Links." Just click on "Slide Shows.")

August 23, 2006 - Marking One Year

Early in the morning,
dew on the ground,
the very first chill of autumn,
early this year.

Football players
walk by,
begin to
take the field.
The familiar sound of
cleats on pavement,
the slam of car doors,
the heft of shoulder pads,
the clunk of helmets.
The anticipation of
hard work,
honest sweat,
passion for the game.

One of Dave's
favorite places.

A few gather,
hold hands,
pray,
taking a moment to remember
a hero.

A hero as solid
as the rock
by which we stand.

A humble hero.
A man who lived his life
out loud.

Sharing his laughter,
his music,
his faith,
his belief in you,
his huge hugs,
and mostly,
and always,
his love.







I looked around the circle,
surrounded by people that love Dave,
people he loved,
and I know
he lives on in them.
To know Dave
is to be forever changed.
To love him
to be loved by him...
that was something
not of our world,
something deeper,
something purer,
something directly from heaven.
And while the time was not enough,
never enough,
I stood, grateful
that we had him at all.

Later, we barbequed in grand Dave style.
Charcoal briquets. No gas grill.
Kids playing football.
Girls swinging in the trees.
Lots of laughter.
Quiet conversations.
Good food.
Real people.

Later still,
watching the slide shows,
Kenny as MC,
hearing Dave's voice,
singing strong and clear,
seeing that grin,
holding onto Alex.
Leaking again.

Later still,
kids' voices echo
through the darkness
that is our backyard.
Laughter floats
in through my windows.
Footsteps on the roof.
Shrieks under the willow.
Stars in the sky.
Quiet stirrings of hope
in my heart.














"If you can't, you must. If you must, you can." Anthony Robbins

This last year, I have been called upon to do many things I believed I couldn't do. But do them, I must. And in doing them, I discover, I can. With help, I can. Thank you to those who were my help.

And thank you to those who make comments on the blog. It may seem like a small thing, but it's not. It's one of my main sources of support. It's difficult when you feel as if you're writing into a void; when people talk back to me, I feel a little more grounded. And it is nice to know that people care. :-)




"Remembering You" by Steven Curtis Chapman

I found You in the most unlikely way
But really it was You who found me
And I found myself in the gifts that You gave
You gave me so much and I
I wish You could stay
but I'll, I'll wait for the day

And I watch as the cold winter melts into spring
And I'll be remembering You
Oh and I'll smell the flowers and hear the birds sing
And I'll be remembering You, I'll be remembering You

From the first moment when I heard Your name
Something in my heart came alive
You showed me love and no words could explain
A love with the power to
Open the door
To a world I was made for

And I watch as the cold winter melts into spring
And I'll be remembering You
Oh and I'll smell the flowers and hear the birds sing
And I'll be remembering

The dark night, the hard fight
The long climb up the hill knowing the cost
The brave death, the last breath
The silence whispering all hope was lost
The thunder, the wonder
A power that brings the dead back to life

I wish You could stay
But I'll wait for the day
And though You've gone away
You come back

And I watch as the cold winter melts into spring
And I'll be remembering You
Oh and I'll smell the flowers and hear the birds sing
And I'll be remembering You, I'll be remembering You

And I'll watch as the sun fills a sky that was dark
And I'll be remembering You
And I'll think of the way that You fill up my heart
And I'll be remembering You

I'll be remembering You
I'll be remembering You
I'll be remembering You

I'll be remembering You

Comments

  1. I am so glad it was a "DAVE" kind of day. I am glad you and the kids were surrounded by family and friends. I am glad you prayed as a group. People will never stop praying and loving you Michelle just as you will never stop loving Dave and Kyle. Much love my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Michelle,

    Just wanted to say that we're still here checking in on you and that we're still here keeping your family in our prayers and that we're still here rooting for you all.

    Taylor's Mom, Patsy
    www2.caringbridge.org/mi/taylor

    ReplyDelete
  3. We care more than you'll ever know. I wish there was more that I could do to show my support for you, Michelle. Know you have a group of my friends in Bellingham who pray for you and your family often. Thank you for the beautiful poem. Thinking of you on your birthday. Love, Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for being such an inspiration to so many people while you are traveling this path that I am sure you wish you weren't on. You have helped me and I am sure so many other people appreciate all the things that fill our lives.

    I am sure that you feel you are lucky to have Dave in your life and you are. I have to also believe that Dave was very lucky to have you in his. Oh heck luck has nothing to do with it. It was what god had intended. We are all better people because of it. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What an absolutely incredible Dave Day....how lucky you are to have so much to celebrate and love. Do you suppose we can petition to have a National Dave Day, where everyone would come together to love, pray, share, play, eat and remember? What a better place the earth would be if everyone had a Dave Day. Sending love and hugs, Kara

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like the idea of a Dave day.... Could we maybe have that in Walla Walla?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear Michelle - Know that we have been with you in our hearts. We are so proud of the woman you have become in spite of the burdens you have had to bear. On your birthday, know that we love you, and are so happy and proud to have brought you into this world. You have incredible support there, I know, but I wish you weren't so far away. All our love - Mom & Dad

    ReplyDelete
  8. When I wrote the first time I forgot to say "Happy Birthday To You Shell; Happy Birthday to you!"

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for the beautiful poem, pictures, things from your heart. Comforting to know you are surrounded by so many who care.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy Birthday Michelle, hope you had a nice day. The weather was beautiful.
    A beautiful day for a beautiful lady.
    God Bless You.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy Birthday Michelle! Just know I think of you everyday and that you are loved in Minnesota!

    ReplyDelete
  12. that's what God has called us to do..be there for each other..be support..hold each other up..sharing and caring about each other's burden's...being love and showing his love thru us..when you come face to face with the creator, all of this will be but a drop in the bucket compared to eternity back together with people we love.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Chellebelle,

    I know I have been forever changed from "knowing" Dave Meyer...I know Dave, in my heart, I do...I know Dave because of you. And I'm so glad I do. I'll be there, in that backyard someday......I want to be there....I want to hear the children's voices, I want to soak it in, I want to touch the rock. And most of all, I want to hug you.
    Sending you love dear friend, always.
    Cathy
    www.lessonsfromlou.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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