David A. Lemmink

Hello everyone,

Today is the last day of 2009.  The last day of the decade.  The last post I will be writing on David’s blog.

I wanted to take a moment and reflect on David and the past year and thank everyone who has touched our lives.

2009 was certainly a difficult year for our family and we are glad to see it go.  I thank God for the 29 years I had with David and see him daily in his children.  The sense of humor, willing smile, ability to deal with difficulties.  He was  a man who loved his family and took his role as head of the household seriously.  He lived through his illness with grace and beauty, not complaining nor feeling sorry for himself.  Our love for him will never die, it will just live on in a different way.

I also want to take this time to thank all of you.  We have been touched in so many ways by so many people.  Whether it was in a tiny way or monumental, we are thankful for each and every one of you.  David’s family were there for him from the moment they heard of his illness.  His mom who traveled with us, to and from Iowa City where David received treatments and surgery and also spent many hours keeping him company while getting treatment here in town.  His sisters Linda and Ellen, along with our good friends Brian, Marianne, Lexie and Mark who were so willing to work tirelessly for David’s amazingly well attended and successful benefit.  All the family and friends who were also willing to work so hard during the benefit.  We could not have done it without you.  To all of you who visited him so often, I thank you for that.  I know he appreciated your visits and it helped lift up his spirits.

Following David’s death, we received so many cards.  We thank you for the time you took to write such lovely sentiments … words that touched us deeply.  Also, so many have been so generous and we are very thankful for that.

I believe 2010 will be a year of beginnings.  Beginning to learn to live without David.  Finding our way out of the fog and into something else.  Learning to navigate our way through this grief, each day being different with its ups and downs.

And then, I always go back full circle to all of you.  You have been there for us throughout it all, and we really do appreciate it.  Your ongoing, loving support really does make a difference, even if we are unable to show our true appreciation right now.  Please know that every large or small thing done by you is a show of support and we use it to hold us up through the hardest days, and unfortunately I don’t think the hardest days are yet done.  As I write this, I cry tears of sadness, longing, and joy.  Sadness and longing for David and how much I miss him.  Joy for all of you who are there for my family and me as we live through missing David.

Thank you all.  May God Bless you, each and every one of you, with health, happiness and the love of family and friends in the year 2010 and beyond.  My prayer for you is that God will wrap His arms around you as you have done for us, giving you what He has given us.

with all my love,

Connie