Thankful Thursday...

I haven't done a Thankful Thursday in a while but I couldn't let this one pass by without participating. This has been such a heartbreaking week, yet through the tears I have seen strength beyond belief. Strength that can only be explained by the grace of God and prayer.

I am eternally thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Eric Crowe's life, of each one of the boys in that class' life. They were and still are such a blessing to Kyle & I. We were to be their teacher when in truth they ended up teaching us.

I am thankful that God granted me the strength to visit Gaye & Tim yesterday. I guess I was going to minister to them, to love on them, but they truly ended up ministering to me. Loving on me. I was a nervous, hormonal mess on the drive over but Tim was in the yard and as soon as he saw me drive up, he came to my car, greeted me with a hug and thanked me over and over for coming. All of my nervousness and fear of saying the wrong thing vanished. Gaye greeted me the same way, a big hug and a pat on my growing belly. If you hesitate to call, visit, or send them a card...don't hesitate!! They need and appreciate it right now!

I am thankful for all of the wonderful comments and prayers listed on my earlier post about Eric. I planned to buy a card and send it but after reading a comment from yesterday it hit me that Gaye might like to have all of these things. I printed off my blog and every other one that I knew of with a post about them and all the comments and took it with me to see them. I know that a card would never have been able to say what all of you said so beautifully.

I am thankful for Adam and Brandon who were able to put their feelings into words. At least as much as anyone possibly can at a time like this. I know these tributes will bless Gaye and Tim as much or more as they have blessed the rest of us. I pray that God will give you and all of Eric's friends peace and strength during this time of such great loss.

I am thankful for our wonderful church family. This family helped Kyle and I through the loss of our two babies and rejoiced with us through our first pregnancy and Carter's birth, and now pray and rejoice with us during this pregnancy. I know they/we will be able to surround Eric's family with love and strength through the Grace of God during these next days, months....years.

I am thankful for my family. I am especially thankful for my husband who has been a rock this week, even though I know he hurts as much as I do. I am thankful for my son and for this baby girl I'm carrying. I pray that I will be able to teach them to be as loving as Eric was and as creative. Because for those of you who knew him, you have to admit (because I know every single one of you remember!), when he did get into trouble in high school....at least he was creative about it! :))

For more Thankful Thursday, visit Laurel Wreath.