If you know me, you know that my family means everything to me....EVERYTHING. So if you know me, you know that the last few weeks have been extremely difficult. My uncle, Walter Martin, has been fighting a battle...for his life...well he lost it today....but won big because he is safe in God's arms with many of his loved ones who have beat him there.
Walter is like my second dad....he is my dad's best friend....his brother in everyway possible without being blood. it has been so hard watching daddy lose him...he is so strong... both of them. These two men who have been in my life every step of the way.
My memories of Walter are funny, loving, strong, and burnt in my heart forever. Here are a few thoughts..
- I don't remember this...but Daddy & Walter ended up with the toilet in the front yard when they watched me and Jon for the first time...ALONE...they learned you can't flush a cloth diaper
- my nick name he gave me...Ju-Q and always greeted me with hey gal!
- he taught me how to play baseball
- he taught me some basketball skills
- I would kiss him and granddaddy and daddy after every ballgame in school with a kiss on the cheek and he would tell me if I did ok or not and give me a few pointers.
- He was at my wedding and helped with the reception
- we would talk to me about my boys and sports
- taught me about hard work
- living on the farm
- don't pour more tea than you are going to drink... LOL
- He loved his friends
- He loved to pick on daddy & and oh the stories...the stories they would tell about eachother
- Dad always called him his brother.."my brother"
- you fight hard because you love hard
FOLLOW the BALL to the BAT...
Now that I am 34 years old....that means so much more to me than before.
You see we can get so focused on all kinds of things in this life that don't matter....that don't mean anything....waste our time on things that don't bring any good to us or those we love. It is just like getting up to bat....we have to keep our eye on the ball to get a good hit.
We have to focus on the ball....
we have to FOCUS on what matters.
Focus on things that mean EVERYTHING to us...
Focus on spending our time on things that bring goodness to others
FOCUS on what counts most in LIFE
Anything else....is just another strike.....
Let's focus on what matter's most...the LOVE Jesus shows us all...and share it with the world.
Walter...you made a home run in my book with your life. Thank you for fighting the good fight...thank you for loving us all so much!
love your gal....your Ju-Q
That is so sweet Julie! I remember hearing Walter saying "Follow that ball all the way to the bat" to many kids as they were growing up. Our community has lost a good person and Walter will be missed by so many people. You are so right God & The Love of Family are all that matters in this life. May God Bless you all!
ReplyDeleteThank you Paula! He blessed so many
DeleteSuch a beautiful tribute to your uncle/2nd dad. You have an amazing gift of lifting others up when their hearts are broken and we should be the ones lifting YOU up. It's incredible how you can always dig deep within your heart and through your own pain find such beautiful words to express yourself and so generously share with us. The love of Christ pours out of your heart onto each of us and it radiates from your smile and from every pore of your being. I pray that the Lord will continue to wrap His loving arms around you and every family member and friend and gives you that peace that only He can give..... the peace that surpasses all understanding. Thank you for sharing your precious uncle with us. <3 Yes, Walter you fought the good fight......we will all miss you.
ReplyDeleteThank you denise. When I don't know what to do I write.... You are so sweet
ReplyDelete