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Entering the Gates of Heaven

November 29, 2015

IMG_0553   I have fought the good fight, I have finished the  race, I have kept the faith.              2 Timothy 4:7

This is a letter I wrote to Cousin Jim a week before he lost his battle to cancer.  Why do we wait so long to tell those we love how special they are to us?  My prayers go out to all that are battling or have a loved one battling a dreaded disease.  The holidays can be hard and you wish you had one more day with those you lost and loved .

 Hi Jim,

In case I have never told you, I am glad you are my cousin. Your serious illness caused me to take a walk down memory lane.  Wish I were with you now so we could just enjoy each other and embrace those memoires.  I know life was not easy for your family and you kids when you were young.  It was sad your mother died so young.  The only time I remember seeing my dad cry was at his sisters, Aunt Rhoda’s and Aunt Zola’s, memorial services.

I was proud you boys chose to serve in the military. Your efforts and those of many others have made our world a better and safer place to live for our children and grandchildren. Sorry Kai got Agent Orange and suffered so much medically after his willingness to serve.   Dad, your Uncle Carl, told me he regretted never serving in the military. Being the only son, he stayed home and helped farm.   IMG_0432

I traveled with the Livengoods one Easter to visit your family. We went to Garden of the Gods for Easter sunrise service. You had some friends that took Connie, Jon, and me to Skyline Drive. Connie and I thouht his driving was scary. We asked him to stop and let us out, so we climbed down Skyline Drive with Jon and walked back to your place. The climb down was steep and difficult.  It would have been less scary to stay in the car. We kids thought it was wonderful you had a toy store. However, since Norm and I have owned a business ourselves, I realize that it is a lot of work and expense.  We learned one is not rich because they are self employed.

I loved the old barn by your house. We spent hours playing in it. Those days, we could easily entertain ourselves with stick horses and make believe. I don’t think my generation of grandkids can do that.  If I remember correctly, little brother Scotty burned the barn down.

As we cousins grew up, married, our priorities and lives changed. We went in different directions, and we cousins spent less time together. Norm and I enjoyed you and Jeff when you made the trip to Arizona. A few years ago, some of us cousins were able to spend time together in Arizona.

IMG_2444You, Connie, and Jon coming to Mom’s funeral touched my heart. Sometimes we forget to tell someone they are loved, but actions speak louder than words.  It was a wonderful way to let the cousins know they still love each other.

On July 4th for years we went to Larned and enjoyed picnics in the park. I remember Dad and Uncle Marion cutting wheat, so that was often the last day of harvest – a dual celebration. Those picnics were a real feast, too.  A lot of effort went into those celebrations. We all enjoyed our Mom’s fried chicken, baked pies, and deviled eggs. I’m sure we brought serving pieces from home; I don’t recall using paper plates.   The fireworks were the climax of the evening.  We made a lot of noise watching them, trying to irritate those sitting around us.

It gives me peace to know that you are not afraid of dying. It is us selfish friends and family that don’t want to say good bye. I am looking forward to having our final reunion in Heaven. No more good-byes! We will probably be a little nicer than the July 4th picnic in Larned, which I always thought was awesome! Maybe our Moms will have more homemade pies and chicken for us. You think? I bet there will be a feast! Instead of making noise irritating those around us, I think we will be harmonizing and singing praise songs. I hope this letter triggers sweet memories for you.

Sending my love and praying daily that you will remain pain free and at peace. Praying you and your family will feel God’s comfort and embrace.

Love you, Cuz!   Dandy

IMG_0557PRAYER:  Dear Father,  Let those suffering from cancer and their family and friends feel your warm embrace as You hold them in Your arms.  Let them feel the rest they so deserve after their long battle.   The joy is that You reached out for Jim when the time was right, and You lead him through the gates of Heaven. Help the rest of us learn to love and let go. It is hard to say good-bye. We just keep wanting one more day…one more conversation, but we know they are much better off, and at peace with You.

PRAYER FOCUS   Those suffering are at peace, not afraid of dying.  They have given their hearts to God and are ready to embrace Him as they enter the gates of heaven.

IMG_0578

11 Filed Under: Friendships of the Heart

Comments

  1. Carole MacLean says

    November 29, 2015 at 5:52 pm

    So precious, Dana. I’m sure he was comforted by your words. That’s all we can ask for, right?

    Reply
  2. Dana Tramba says

    November 29, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    We just need to love and give thanks for those in our hearts and lives every day. Never know how long we will have them. See you soon. Hugs.

    Reply
  3. Ladean kolb says

    November 29, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    Thanks Dandy for writing precious memories that add to the many stories I heard about the Kolb boys and the many get together soon with their cousins. Thank you for keeping Jims memory alive in your writings. They provide comfort to me during those times of sadness and feeling alone. Love to you and your family, not only now but the entire year

    Reply
    • Dana Tramba says

      November 29, 2015 at 8:01 pm

      I know the holidays must be really difficult for you and Jeff. Jim had a big heart for his family and cousins, even though we did not get together much in later years. There are more cousin stories in this web site. Thanks for visiting it. Love to you and Jeff. Dandy

      Reply
  4. Ellen Phillips says

    November 29, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    What a great letter. Makes me remember good times forgotten

    Reply
    • Dana Tramba says

      November 29, 2015 at 8:03 pm

      We didn’t have to spend much in those days to have good times. We just enjoyed family and friends and celebrated being together. Making memories that money can’t buy! Thanks for visiting my site and reading my stories Ellen.

      Reply
  5. Dana Tramba says

    November 29, 2015 at 8:35 pm

    Let’s do it! Love Colorado and will be close to Connie. I am retired so lets set a date! Tell Jon to keep reading, there are stories about cousins. Give him a hug for me too! Dandy

    Reply
    • Bob Kish says

      November 30, 2015 at 10:02 pm

      This is a beautiful story. I must admit I have fond memories of our lunchtime walks around lake VA. Lol. My greatest worry is that I will soon forget all that, as I have noticed a decreasing capacity to remember what happened hours ago. It gets frustrating. I am in the moment. I do however remember reading a recent article on possibly a connection between TBI and the onset of Alzheimer’s or dementia. It’s scary. All I can draw from is my own experience. My greatest hope is if this is God’s plan for me, I do not forget all you inspired in me.

      Reply
      • Dana Tramba says

        November 30, 2015 at 11:24 pm

        I hope you will keep reading my stories Bob. I have fond memories of those walks and talks too while working at the VA. I will post a funny story about our turtle experience one of these days. The most important thing is I will be praying for you to figure out God’s plan. Don’t forget all the blessings in your life, and the good things that happened. Try not to dwell on the negative. One of these days I will come by your home and we can walk around the block and talk again. Or I can push you around the block in your wheelchair while we talk. We had a great friendship. You have a special place in my heart. God Bless You Bob. Thanks for visiting my site. Hugs, Dana

        Reply
  6. Joyce says

    November 30, 2016 at 12:28 am

    Dana, Your words are a comfort and tribute to the love cousins share. In youth we play, as young adults we grow and become adults who marry and raise the next generation of cousins, as seniors we bid each other farewell until we meet again. And, laced theough it all is love.

    Reply
  7. Dana Tramba says

    November 30, 2016 at 2:24 am

    What sweet words Joyce, and so true. It is sad as we marry and spread all over the country, we see so little of each other. I loved playing with my cousins. But now know few of their children. I guess it is time for a reunion! Appreciate your friendship and that you read my story. Hugs, Dana

    Reply

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