It's been several weeks since we have updated you on Caring Bridge, so I am going to try now, although my thoughts and words may be jumbled.  

As you probably know, we had Bob's wake on Friday June 11, 2021 at Carpenter Jenks Funeral home and we saw many of you there.  You overwhelmed us with your love and support!  It is estimated that about 600 people came that night.  I know that so many people love my husband and it was beautiful to see your smiles and your tears and to receive your hugs.   

On Saturday morning, June 12, 2021, the immediate family gathered at Quidnessett Cemetery for a time of remembrance, prayer,  stories, and a favorite song, "It Is Well With My Soul."  It was deeply meaningful and personal to all of us.  

Later on Saturday, we held a Celebration of Life service at Christian Hill Community Church.  Seeing the videos and hearing many people share what Bob means to them comforted us so beautifully.  After the service, we had refreshments in the tent outside and I smiled as I saw so many of you who love Bob setting up tables, chairs, and food and doing whatever you could to make our burden lighter.  Thank you so much. 

After that, I spent time working out many details at home, and then went to Florida to see the family down there.  My mom and dad live in Florida and were not able to come to Rhode Island due to health issues and they said that this was "the most difficult thing they have ever had to do."  Bob was truly a son to them. It broke their hearts to not be there.  The time that I spent with them and all the family in Florida was so needed.   They helped to cushion some of the pain that I was feeling and I hope that I helped by just being there.  

As for me and our children, we are coming to terms day by day with reminders of Bob around the house, or in a song that we hear, or when we see a something that he would have loved.  But we remember him with smiles and with laughter because he almost always had a smile on his face and was often laughing.  I tend to be more serious and he would often make me laugh.  That's one of the many gifts that he gave to me. 

We are grieving, yes, but not without the hope of heaven.  I picture Bob with his arms flung wide open, pulling his mom, dad, his brother Joe, our daughter, Julia, and others that have gone before us into the warmest of embraces. And, of course, he has the biggest smile on his face and he is laughing.   And then, I picture him turning and seeing God on His throne, and Jesus next to him with the scars in His hands and feet because of His sacrifice for us.  I picture Bob kneeling in worship, knowing that he is in heaven, not by works that he did, but by his faith in Jesus who held nothing back...not even His life.  This is what it is all about.  I can't begin to express how deeply honored I am to have been married to a man who loved Jesus well, not in his own strength, but in the strength that God gives.  I know that Bob would want me to emphasize that he is worthy of heaven because Christ, the only One without sin, took the consequences of sin for us.  By faith, we can be made worthy because He is worthy.  And not even death can defeat us when we trust Jesus! 

Bob's brother,  Richard, shared this song with me last week, and I think that it is a fitting way to end this journal.  

Thank you for all your love and support in this journey.   Bob and I never really knew how many people we impacted together, but we understand more now after seeing the 40th anniversary video.  Please continue to pray for us as we adjust to our lives without Bob living here on the earth with us.  But I KNOW that He lives in heaven and someday we are going to have an amazing reunion!