I thought it might get a little cold, so I pulled out one of Alain's favorite sweatshirts. We saw him wearing it often during the past 15 years. It is a sweatshirt from Lennex... a sheriff's station in the Los Angeles Sherriff's Department. Alain worked in this area of south central LA before we met. Wearing it brought back all kinds of good memories.
That's the part that has made this journey hard... memories. I want to still talk about him. I want other people to still talk about him. Bring up memories they have or remember. I know death is awkward and so many people feel like they don't know what to say, but saying nothing is almost worse than thinking you may say the wrong thing. I've discovered that there can be many ways to "mourn with those who mourn." A hug, a hello, a note in the mail, a phone call, asking, "How are you?", and the biggest one... "Is there anything I can do?" Chances are the person will say that there isn't anything, but the blessing to both will be in the asking?
This is a picture I took right after a thunderstorm that Saturday.
Although I am a beginner, this picture is my new favorite!
He that is thy friend indeed,
he will help thee in thy need;
if thou sorrow, he will weep,
if you wake, he cannot sleep;
thus in every grief in heart,
he with thee doth bear a part.
Thank you my friends!
You touch my life for good!
Thank you my friends!
You touch my life for good!