Pickin' Patricks: A Few Good Men

The past five years have been especially difficult on the Hemken's/Lundy's hearts. Unfortunately for us, but a blessing to the Lord, three of our men have been taken Home. We lost my Uncle Mike (he is a Lundy, which also includes Cindy , Jennifer and Amanda and then the three girls that are Jennifer's.) Mike was such a joyful addition to the Hemken family. He always brought smiles and laughter. In awkward situations, he was always the one to soothe the sores. He knew just when to bring in that bubble of a laugh. He had a beard and he would attack us as youngsters. We would laugh until we cried. We lost him to cancer. It came and took over fast. But even a month before he passed, I remember him being giddy as ever at Easter. He may have been scared and felt bad, but it did not show to me one bit. Mike wanted to be cremated. Cindy wanted him to be buried. So they compromised. We buried his ashes on the farm that his family owns. Five years later, we had a ceremony for him. Cindy purchased this beautiful headstone/plaque to be placed where he lies. It turned out great. This is just the way Uncle Mike would have wanted it.

Aunt Cindy is holding up really well. Mike was her best friend, and I can not imagine loosing that after so many years. Cindy is such a blessing to our lives though, just as Mike was, and we have some great memories and laughs that we share often.

Fast forward almost four years and we have another, very sudden tragedy. No one expected it; it is still very difficult for me to talk about. Uncle Steve passed away sometime on his way home from work at the end of March in 2007. No warning signs. We believe it was a heart attack. He had a weak heart, but we all thought he had been feeling fine and doing much better. The Lord had other plans, although it is hard to embrace that, and he was taken home. Steve was such a caring man. He was a Hemken; Melinda is his wife and Megan and Ryan are his children. He was a great dad, uncle and husband. He is missed so much in our daily lives. Just like Mike, we have our hysterical memories and we go on. Steve was buried in the same cemetary that my grandparents chose for themselves. It is a very beautiful and peaceful plot. Since it is between Montgomery and College Station, and located at the church where grandma attends, we are able to visit it often.

I just love the verse that Ryan, Steve's son, chose to put at the bottom of the headstone. Incase you can not read it, it says "God called and I answered". That is so true and what we need to remember in time of passing. It is not us who chooses to leave, but our Father that calls us Home when He is ready. Death is the hardest thing for me to grasp and embrace as a Christian. I feel that it should be the easiest since I know where I am going. But it isn't. It is hard for me. But promises such as these carry me on, and I pray they do the same for you.

Not even a year later we lost grandpa. If you have been reading my posts from the begining then you know his story. Although it was the hardest on me to loose him, simply because I was closer to him than any of these other great men, it is the happiest for me. Grandpa was in such pain towards the end. It sadened his heart to see us grieve for him. The struggles that we went through while he was in the hostpital were devestating. I know that none of us grandkids will ever forget having to hold him down and seeing him curl up like a baby. We won't forget the funny things he started to tell us about a dog being in the room or about going running. But we mainly will never forget the morals he enstilled in our lives. Eugene is such a strong name, and grandpa was every bit of his name. He fought till the end. As hard as it was for me to be alone with him in the room when he passed, it was a perfect and peaceful setting for him. He knew our family had come full circle. Everyone had said their goodbyes and it was just me and him. I think he knew that the best time to go would be then. Grandpa knew and the Lord knew. We got his headstone in about two months ago and it seems to be settling in just great.

It is really hard to tell from this picture, but I love that you can see both Grandpa's (the big Hemken in front) and Steve's when you enter the cemetary. And they are resting under a peaceful tree. I know their souls are rejoicing with the Lord, but it is nice to go out and visit this place. A place for me to specifically pray for Melinda, Megan, Ryan and Grandma, and also to reflect on the impact both these guys had on my life.

I daily thank the Lord for Mike, Steve and Grandpa and the times we shared together.

Now for some happier snap shots of the last few weeks ...