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Saturday, July 7, 2018

When life gives you lemons...

You haven't heard from me in awhile.
We suffered a tremendous loss a little over a week ago.
One of my boys best friend from Kindergarten died in a horrible accident.
Normally I keep my blog upbeat with quilty fun, but as my blog is my personal story,
I felt this needed to be included.
My two and the "twins" have been friends since Kindergarten.
That's 30 years now. They grew up together so much, that they were like brothers.
There was nothing harder than getting the news.
He and my youngest had just finished their 8 day stint in the oil fields.
A tire blew, this truck went out of control...and the rest is history!
Our hearts are forever broken.

We are so fortunate to live just outside a big city, 
in a community with a small family feel.
The love and support was overwhelming for us all.
We planned for 250 to attend the service
 and were absolutely blown away when over 400 showed up.
Friends and family from as far away as the United Kingdom.
School teachers, some from their elementary school.
It amazes me that at 35 years old, 
they still remember and consider their students as their own.
It took my breath away.

These boys have always been considered as the brothers with 2 mothers.
And my heart breaks for them all.
I was asked to do the eulogy at the service.
Me???
I've never spoken in public before, not to mention under these circumstances.
How could I say no though? The Fushimi's give and give and ask so little in return.
I sat down with the task of writing it out.
I read it out loud until I could read it without busting into tears.
Yesterday, I put on my big girl panties, did a little praying for some help from above...
And delivered my speech.
I made it thru the entire thing without shedding a tear.

I wrapped things up with this...

Keegan’s death is not in the order, that life should work. A parent should never have to loose a child. That being said, as parents we always want our children to be OK, and be able to go on without us and make the best of their lives. I can’t help but think, that Keegan, wants the same for all of us. We are all family here, and I know in my heart he is with us all. Life is a process. It will look a little different from now on. We will each fall from time to time, but as family, we will stop and pick each other up when needed. 

I have to sit back and reflect on our online/blogging community as well.
We are there for each other, sharing and helping along the way.
That really is, what life is all about.

Rip Keegan...

We did have a shining light last week before all this happened.

We have a couple of new additions to the house.
Kenai and Denali
These two, sure have filled our hearts with joy!
Unless it's at 4am, when they want to play!
LOL!!!!!
As usual, they both found their favorite human BFF, 
when they walked in the door.
No surprise there, he's always a kitty favorite.
But I finally got a little love myself.
Guess they figured out who feeds em!
"Sew" life has it's ups and it's downs.
All we can do is put one foot in front of the other, and keep on moving.
Stopping along the way to help someone else!

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

26 comments:

  1. I am so sorry for your loss. Great post, so well written. I bet it was difficult. But what a great testament to the type of man he was that so many people came to say their final farewell. Sweet furbabies too. Hugs from afar.

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  2. What a terrible loss; I am so sorry. ((Hugs)) to all of you.

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  3. I am sorry for your loss. It is always so hard when they are so young with so much in front of them. Your eulogy was perfect and congratulations to you for getting through it without a tear.

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  4. Oh my, what a difficult loss. Your words were beautiful and I am sure it is what he would have wanted. God bless you all in this time of grief.

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  5. Oh, Joan. I am so sorry to hear the news. They picked the perfect person to deliver the right words. You are their rock. Prayers for all.

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  6. It's so terrible to hear of life lost so young and tragically. I may be wrong, but it seems like the funerals we have attended in the last few years have been larger than I remember them to be when we were younger. A sign of the times, I think.
    xx, Carol

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  7. Oh Joan, that is so tragic. I'm not sure I could have done the eulogy. So glad that you were able to do it for them. I know it must have meant the world to them. It also sounds like he made quite an impact on the community.

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  8. I am so sorry Joan. What a wonderful gift you gave the family by doing the eulogy - I'm not sure I could have done that without crying. My prayers are with your family as well as Keegan's. Sending hugs. ~Jeanne

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  9. Giant hug to you Joan. So very sorry. How awful and sad. That is way too young.

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  10. So sorry for your loss. It sounds like he had a lot of people who loved him dearly and I'm sure they all have many wonderful memories. That's what he would want them to remember. Good job on the eulogy. I know I couldn't do it.

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  11. I am so very sorry for the loss of a member of your family...if the boys had 2 mothers, you had 4 sons. Small towns are wonderful for pulling when the going gets tough, lean on that support. Prayers for the whole (combined) family as you all go through this deep valley together.

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  12. I am so sorry for all of your families for your loss. Hugs,

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  13. I am so sorry for both of your family's loss. I pray that God will give you all strength to move forward and eventually, peace.

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  14. I, too, am sorry for your loss. We had a loss in our family as well. My 13 year old great nephew drowned over memorial day weekend. It is always so much harder when a young person is lost. But we don't know God's plan and in faith have to trust him. He leaves us plenty of people to help us through the really rough times. Sending hugs and prayers.

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  15. I think the family chose the right person to do the eulogy, even as difficult as it was for you - you carried it out with grace and heart. I, too, send my condolences for a life cut short and the gaps that are left behind. Hugs and prayers for all.

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  16. Sending condolences, prayers, and hugs for all who are facing the journey of grief for this young man. Sometimes life throws us a hardball and hits us right in the heart. Take Care and treat yourself and others kindly as you find your way.

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  17. So sorry for the loss of Keegan. It sounds like he was loved and respected. Your eulogy was wonderful and heartfelt.

    I am certain your two new furballs will provide you with comfort and love during this time and for a long time to come.

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  18. So sorry for your loss. May Keegan's memory be a blessing to you all.

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  19. Joan, I am so sorry for you and your family. My son is 40 and it is amazing how many of his friends he has already had to tell goodbye. He was very close to a high school teacher who went on to become an entertainer who recently died of a very agressive cancer. He had a friend who died in a "shack" behind a business not even three miles from our house. It's unknown if it was a suicide or an accident. The list goes on and on. My son claims to be an athetist yet even though he lives about two to two and one half hours out of state, he comes home for as many of the funerals of his close buddies as he can. In the case of his teacher, he didn't know the family, but he knew his friends who were mourning with him. Bless you for "putting on your big girl panties" and doing the euology. I don't know how you did it without bawling. You are amazing! I pray for healing for the entire community and especially for those close to him. God Bless you all. May your new kitties give you comfort. I believe you have them for a reason.

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  20. Joan, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. As a parent, I can't imagine losing a child. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and yours, as he seems like one of your own. Your eulogy was awesome. And your composure throughout was awesome too! May your good memories carry you through these tough times. And the kitties are helpful too - so sweet!

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  21. I am so sorry for your loss. Such things should not happen, but.......

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  22. I don't know you at all, but grief is universal when a beautiful young soul is gone too soon. Good for you for making it through the eulogy. Not an easy thing and I know you were a blessing to that family. Thanks for sharing this personal part of your story.

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  23. I'm so sorry for the loss of such a wonderful young man. You are right, no parent should have to bury a child, but it happens. It's hard to go on but the child wouldn't want the parent to stop living.

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  24. Hi Joan. I am only just back and am catching up on posts. I was so sorry to read this one. My heart goes out to you and your family. You are so lucky to have known this young man and his family for the time you did. Well done speaking about him. His family would have really appreciated that. It is so sad to lose a young person from your life. I hope you treasure all the special memories that you have. Hugs and love from me.

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  25. Oh Joan, I am so sorry, such a huge loss to not only your family, but to his. He looks like a great kid tho and your parting words are perfect. I have had a tire blow out on the hiway, and it is a very scary experience, but I was lucky, a cop was behind me and helped me get to the other lanes so I could pull over safely. I just followed his lead with his headlights to let me know it was safe to get into the lane. It was a 5 lane highway and I was in that 5th lane. I felt lucky that I was able to keep calm, but I have also slid off the road on black ice without hitting the brake, so it's just so freaky how accidents can happen. Many Hugs!!!

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  26. I'm so sorry to read this. How heartbreaking it must be for your whole family and your community. The piece of the eulogy you shared is beautiful, I can see why you were asked. My thoughts are with you as you continue to support your boys and Keegan's family through the weeks and months to come when the pain lingers but life further afield insists on marching on unchanged. Thank goodness for those sweet kitties! xx

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Thanks for stopping by today. Your comments really do make me day!
;-)