BE POSITIVE

January 31, 1970 - November 18, 2007

Journal

Saturday, January 31, 2009 2:47 PM CST

Day +700 Forever

Today would have been Bruce’s 39th birthday. But he unfortunately is celebrating his 2nd earth birthday in heaven. I tell myself as these significant days come around that I will be okay and I will be able to work through it, but I forget that the days leading up to them are the hardest for me. I know I have been irritable and crabby around home, feeling a lot of self pity for myself, and trying to sleep away my pain, but it doesn’t make the day or events go away. I haven’t put an entry on for awhile. It just seems selfish sometimes because I talk about me and the kids and this page was started to inform everyone of Bruce. So I am going to attempt to talk about Bruce again.

Bruce died at 37, but I want to remember somethings he accomplished in his 37 years of life. I know Bruce was thankful that he was able to live for the 37 years that he did. He always reminded me of the little kids that we would see and hear about that were sick and may not see their 4th birthday let alone their 37th. Bruce was a great guy and I know why I feel so much pain about him being gone. I know that Bruce always felt his biggest accomplishment was marrying me. I’m not trying to brag, but we often would talk about the first time he saw me and wanted to date me. I , of course, played hard to get! But Bruce knew how to swoop me off my feet. He was determined to catch me, so he sent me flowers everyday for a week and I couldn’t resist. Bruce’s other biggest accomplishment was being a dad and being able to have a boy and a girl. He had the healthy family that he dreamed of. Bruce’s job of carpentry meant a lot to him as well. He loved what he did and always admired Richard for pushing him to work harder. When Bruce lost his strength and couldn’t do carpentry like he use to, it about killed him (you know what I mean!). We are fortunate to have some items in our home that Bruce built to always remember his handy work. Getting to meet and know so many people was something that Bruce enjoyed doing. We couldn’t go anywhere without Bruce seeing someone he would know. In his 37 years, Bruce was able do fun things as a kid, play football which he loved, be a Cowboys fan, go camping as a kid and as an adult. He owned a house and several vehicles. He was able to teach his kids about gardening because their mother is clueless about it. Bruce drove a school bus and big tow truck things across the state. He kept in touch with his highschool friends (honestly how many of us can do that). Bruce organized and held a benefit! This is the one accomplishment I was amazed at. At 36 years old, Bruce flew out to Vegas with his wife. He was able to see Celine Dion in concert (okay that was my dream not his). Bruce was a firemen and a Christian. As most of us remember Bruce as a “big boy” he never liked being that big. So when he was able to buy pants with a 30 inch waist, he was tickled pink! Speaking of pink, Bruce even accomplished wearing pink in his lifetime! Only Bruce would appreciate that comment- ask me why sometime!

My list could go on and on. Most importantly , in Bruce’s 37 years of life, he learned he had cancer. He set his mind on beating it and being a winner. He kept his chin up and tried to see the positives during his treatment and illness. Bruce pushed himself to get through the rough times. He looked to the future to try to prepare things for his family when he no longer was with us. Bruce chose to be fighter for life, but the Lord had other plans for him. Bruce accomplished being an accepter and put his faith in the hands of the Lord. Bruce learned that life really is too short to sweat the small stuff. He goal after learning about his cancer, was to encourage others to enjoy life, spend time with your family, visit your friends and do good for others. Today lets celebrate our own accomplishments no matter how big or how small. Each one is another mark in your life and something you can put on your resume’ of life.

Happy Birthday Bruce! Remembering that this day was special to many for your years here on earth. We love you much!!

BE POSITIVE ALWAYS!
Love, Wendy, Karson, and Kara

Hospital Information:

Home in Heaven

Links:

E-mail Author: crooksbw@iowatelecom.net

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