I received a beautifully written commendation of your service.  Your country Thanks you and values your sacrifice.  It was so nice and I thought about framing it untill I reached the signature.  Ooops, B. Obama. Wow, I wondered what you might think.  I know that you were not very fond of this president.  I called Kim to ask her.  She said she remembered clearly the day that you were looking at the VA site and would get a bronze plaque and a letter of commendation.  She said that you knew who would sign it.  You would rather decline it.  I think I will paste Ronald Reagan's signature over it.  You were very proud of your service to this country and I hope that you feel honored. 

Standing on the deck of the mountain house in Franklin, N.C. I was captivated by the stars in the sky.  I was cold but the snow was softly falling and the sky so bright.  I knew you must be out there under that same big starlit night. But where? Your existence was so real to me yet it would be 3 more weeks before the "unveiling".  Were you happy? Did you wonder about me as I wondered about you? Did you know how much I longed to see you, to touch you? I wished you a merry Christmas and rejoined my family. 

Fast forward 25 years. Christmas Eve, 2010.  I stood on the porch of our daughters house in Texas.  The rain and cold were strong deterrents but I wanted to see you anyway.  Its our first Christmas apart in 25 years.  I know you are out there. But where? Your existence is so real to me and just like that first Christmas eve I have no idea how long before I see you again, touch you.  Are you celebrating Christmas? Is it a perpetual celebration in heaven?  Do the angels sing and rejoice as loudly as they did for the shepherds? Are the Northern Lights your christmas lighting?  Do you miss me or long for me as I do you?  We lit a candle for you. Kim, Brent, Jo, Cody, Matthew and myself. We remembered you as we opened our gifts.  So again I wish you Merry Christmas but ironically you have joined my family as Dad, Mom, Aunt Herma all have welcomed you home. I hope your mom and Dad were there as well.   Merry Chrisrmas, My Love.

 I am asked this question all the time.  The first time I ever visited Jim's parents was in this peaceful small country cemetary.  As strange as it seems this would be the first of many visits home for Jim and me.  You see Jim lost both of his parents while they were still young.  Each time we'd visit I would meet some new relative, an aunt, uncle or grandparent.  Jim would tell me stories, tall tales and facts about these wonderful people.  I recently met Joseph Bradley and his wife Josephine.  They were Jim's great grandparents. His fathers'  mother's  parents.  Della Bradley, who I think Kim must be like,  is featured in the photo gallery along with her brothers.  Joseph Bradley was in the confederate army.  I finaly found his marker and plan to put the pictures of it here soon.  Each time I go back  I learn something new about this family.  But it wasn't untill recently that I understood why Jim wanted to be buried here.  As I walked around the cemetary trying to decide what kind of monument should mark his grave it hit me.  Big and upright. Not flat and blending in to the ground like many modern markers.  No it had to be bold and proud. BORDERS should be seen from far off.  You see Jim had a family that he was proud of .  Their name permanently etched into the landscape of this sliver of earth called Lyerly.  There are many Borders, Bradleys and Vaughans and one more is perfectly at home here.  I visited them all today and felt blessed to be a part of this big beautiful family.  Somehow I miss all of them though I have yet to make their acquaintance. I am sure there is a large plate of biscuits on the table and always room for one more. 

Today was my first day back at work 2 weeks after Jim Passed.  As I got in the car to come home I wanted to call him as I always did and let him know I was on my way home.  But this time, the only time in 24 years of marriage he wouldn't be there.  He would have asked me if my doors were locked, if I checked my surroundings and hurry home-he missed me.  When I would walk in the door he would say, "Yeah, Mom' s home" .  No matter how he felt or how late it was.   Of course he would be smiling! How I miss that beautiful smile. 

Jim wanted his life summed up in this simple phrase.   

"Faithfully served God, family and country."