Wake Me Up When September Ends

So, today is the 29th.  The song "Wake me up when September ends" always runs through my mind this time of year.  It has been three years since that day - horrible haunting day - the day my brothers died in a car accident.  Two years ago, we drove to Michigan and were with my family.  My parents house was dedicated, and we also went to the grave site.  One year ago, I wanted to do something, and not have this day pass like any other.  Jon surprised me by taking the day off of work and we drove to the mountains with our three month old baby and picked apples.  It was peaceful driving through the mountains, and a good day.  Jon asked me if I wanted him to take the day off again this year, and I said no.  It feels different.  I still do not want this day to be like every other day, and I wish I could be in Michigan again, but... I don't know how to explain it.  I didn't need him to be home with me today, I guess.  I didn't want him to waste a day off.

So, I decided to visit the Iraqi family I made friends with more than a year ago.  This was the third time I've seen them recently, and before that it had been months.  Our church started a new series called the Gospel in Life, and the first sermon talked about being involved in the city, and praying for it.  I remembered this family that World Relief had put me in contact with when I was tutoring English.  After that sermon, I called them up and have been bringing them diapers, some of Nathan's outgrown clothes, and today a great book that I found at Kohls.  I struggle with being selfish with my time, and so sometimes it is hard for me to find the motivation to call them.  The visits are never short, and because of their still limited English, conversation is rather limited.  But it was good to give of my time today, and a little bit of our money on gifts.  Jon has such a generous spirit, and it is good to learn from him.  He encouraged me this morning when I told him I was thinking of calling the family.

And it went really well!  They told me about their classes, asked about my family, and we looked through the book I gave them - a colorful board book with 100 words.  It's meant for babies, really, but the mom was happy to try to say the words too.  They had me try some Arabic words for the animals, and we had a good time.  The second time they asked "How are you,"  I told them that I was a little bit sad today.  I had told them before about my brothers, and I said that today it was three years since my brothers had died.  They were very empathetic and talked about their 5 year old son who had been killed in Iraq.  The dad has a brain injury where he was shot in the head - I believe at the same time his son was killed.  For our limited conversation abilities, it was a touching time for me.  It was good to just be with people - and to give my time a bit.

The day is only half over, and I don't know what I will do with the rest.  It is supposed to storm this afternoon, or I would take Nathan to the park again.  It is still a dreary day, but the Lord is being good to me today.