These familiar tracks represent home to me. They are the last barrier I drive over every time I turn down my mom and dad's country road. They've been crossed countless times in my life.
When I was in high school the unthinkable happened. A man and his son were tragically killed here. When I heard the details I was heartbroken. They were the family that lived right there. The house that sat not even a quarter of a mile down the road from the tracks. The mom was home and heard it all. It broke my heart to think of her listening to the sound of that fatal crash...of her loved ones lives being taken. It haunted me for the longest time. I would drive by her house and wonder how she went on. How could she still live there? How could she stand hearing the trains rumble past? I prayed for her, even though I didn't know her. I felt her pain. I relived that scene like it was mine.
Another accident happened to our next door neighbor. A drunk driver crashed into our neighbor's car at a rural intersection. His elderly mom was with him. Sweet Dorothy. I knew her. He was like another dad to me. She died instantly, he was left altered...paralyzed forever. I'm not sure why these memories surfaced when I was home recently. I certainly didn't want to be reminded of those painful things, but every time I drove over the tracks...every time I crossed that intersection the heavy memories came.
When these accidents happened I was young...in high school. My whole life seemed sprawled ahead of me. I had no comprehension of true pain. No one close to me had ever been taken, so I didn't really fully understand what they were going through. Then honey's dad passed years later and that pain of loss became real. Life with it's unexpected hits.
I have no idea why I feel compelled to share this, or what I'm really trying to say. All I know is that personally the only way we were able to move forward in peace was with the Lord. We were numb...bruised to the core. We lay broken at his feet, and just gave it over to him, waiting for normalcy to return. Eventually the excruciating pain subsided, but the hole of missing him will always there. We never forget our loved ones. We never really are the same, but somehow miraculously, God fills in the hurt. He carries us even when we can't comprehend how we'll go on. He paves the way for a new day, and ultimately hope is restored. Life does go on.
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This week's recipe is another dessert. I know! What's wrong with me?? I have a very fond memory of making kick the can ice cream when I went camping once as a child. It was so much fun I knew I wanted to try it with my own girls one day. So when I saw this handy dandy ice cream maker ball at an antique store in IL I knew it was fitting in my suitcase one way or another;) ***To make it without the ball you will need a large coffee can and another that will fit inside of it.
Ingredients for Basic Vanilla Ice Cream:
1 quart of Cream or half and half.
**I made it with the half and half and it didn't set up real good. USE CREAM.
1 tablespoon vanilla
3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
Mix together all the ingredients and place in the smaller emptied coffee can. Tape it up really good with duct tape and then place in the larger can layering 1 cup rock salt and ice. Tape up really really good and then go to town. Kick that sucker all over the yard. Toss it back and forth. Have your honey do a little dance with it. Just keep it moving for about 20 minutes. It hurts to kick it so make sure you are wearing sturdy shoes. Have fun.
Link up friends. Let's feed our families:)
Have a blessed day.
651. freedom
652. restoration
653. a God that carries me
654. days off with honey home
655. memories that remind me of His faithfulness
So much truth, there. Life really does go on, especially when our Hope is in Jesus. I really don't know how those who do not trust Him can continue on. Beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteBecky, what a sweet post and for whatever reason you shared, I'm glad you did. Life can deal such tough blows and we get through them and then wonder how we did. But, we know that His loving hand will always hold us up and see us through. Blessings my dear!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for that widow. I don't know how she could go on. What a tragedy.
ReplyDeleteI thunk the kids would love trying to make that ice cream! Adding it to our summer adventure list!
you are such a sweetie. Maybe the Lord inspired you to share that for someone today. :)
ReplyDeleteBecky, great words my Dad passed away three years ago and when & how it happened I was prepared knowing that he lived a long and beautiful life and that he would be going to his intended home. This last year he has been tugging at my heart not sure what he is doing the tugging but I am grateful for it.
ReplyDeleteOK, making this ice cream sounds like tons of fun! I linked up grilled peaches to go with your ice cream.
Have a great weekend!
We just got the news that Adrain's beloved grandma only has about 2 months to live last night. She was a fixture in his life and he lived with her in college. This was such a timely reminder and I'll be sure to read it to him tonight.
ReplyDeleteWe sometimes go down memory lane and remember some of the tragic accidents and such that we remember when we were in high school too. I don't know why, but we just do. It feels wrong to forget and it's imprinted on your heart because of how young you are at the time I think?
Okay we are doing our lemonade stand today so I won't be running/walking til tonight. :) But I WILL be! Hope your date was great and I'll talk to you soon. Love ya!
We just lost our beloved old English Pastor a few weeks ago and Im still dealing with the loss of him. He was like the Godly grandfather that I never knew growing up. We're so blessed to have known him and all but there is still a hole in my heart.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking the other day how we always question WHY these things happen. And we may never find those answers this side of heaven. But God is gracious in that time does heal the pain. We are not ones who want to wait for anything and we want to understand everything down to the last detail. But His ways are not our ways, are they?
I guess we're reminded of these things so that we treasure the time we have with those around us. It makes us appreciate them more.
xo
Ok, first of all, the ice cream sounds like fun to make! I bought one of those balls for my brother-in-law a few years ago but never saw it in action. Thanks for hosting, too!
ReplyDeleteSecond, man! You really know how to bring out the emotions! I'm so so scared of something ever happening to my husband and boys. I don't know how I would survive and pray daily that I'm not asked to walk that road. My boys are very young and I think that compounds it--you know, being all protective and Mama Bear about it. When you come to think of it, they're never in better hands than God's, so it should be easy to trust to his will... Right? A blogger I follow lost her little boy to a freak drowning accident last summer and that one has hurt me as much to hear about as if it happened to a close friend. The imagined pain is so real! I don't know how she goes on...
Anyway, hugs to you and your family! I'm going to cuddle my littles a bit more this weekend. Because I can!
Becky,
ReplyDeleteYou were meant to share this today because so many people are hurting and God is using you! Thank you for sharing your heart here on this blog. I am always blessed beyond measure when I come to visit!
keep shining!
melody
Those are such terribly sad stories! Especailly the first one...it's haunting! I'm glad your prayed for that woman...I would feel just like you! It's true, it is very hard to imagine how people feel when they lose someone until you lose someone yourself. :( And so true, with out God to carry us along how could we ever make it? I learned and am learning that constantly. He IS an awesome and amazing God!
ReplyDeleteThat ice cream sounds fun - will have to try it one of these days. :)
Nick heard somewhere once that you are never truly gone until no one says your name anymore, no one remembers you, no one talks about you. That brings me some comfort with loss and grief. It's good that you remember those people, pray for thier families, share thier stories with us.
ReplyDeleteAnd that ice cream? Well that will surely cheer people up!
i feel the same kind of nostalgia this week... seeing places my dad went and walked and then remembering his last days here. bittersweet. you're right, life moves on and God heals. thankful for that!! the ice cream sounds amazing.
ReplyDeletefor some reason I just want to hug you..
ReplyDeleteand for some reason I relive things like that like they were mine too.
don't know why..sometimes I wish I didn't
and yes...He fills the spaces..without God Becky..ugh!
your girls are darling. I am falling in love with big chick. wished her
and grace lived by each other.
i am making them all headbands later this month. i am so excited to do so.
happy sunday friend.
You said it right Becky. " He carries us even when we can't comprehend how we'll go on. He paves the way for a new day, and ultimately hope is restored." Without Him, I'm not sure how others get through. He really does fill the spaces for us and I'm so thankful He does.
ReplyDeleteLove ya friend!
♥Lee Ann
Becky...tomorrow marks the 10 year anniversary of my brother's passing. I lost my mom, dad, and brother in a period of just 6 short years. I'm here to say that had it not been for my faith in God, I wouldn't have been able to handle losing the people I loved dearly. He is the ONE who saw me through it all...and I'm forever grateful. Yes...life does continue on...and knowing that God is right here beside me makes the journey all the more sweet.
ReplyDeleteSuch a heartfelt post Becky. I know that there are times when the bad memories come back ~ you don't even have to be feeling lonely or blue ~ but everything happens for a reason ~ maybe He puts those memories to the surface to remind you that life does go on ~ we are all ok in the end even though at the time when something happens feels like it may be the end of the world. I love your faith ~ your words and your memories. Love you friend. xo
ReplyDeleteI so appreciate stories that remind me of the goodness of our God...even (especially) at the hard points.
ReplyDeleteI need to invest in an ice cream maker. My friend taught me to make a vanilla ice cream recipe and substitute in Bailey's Irish Cream for vanilla. It's a nice switch up once in awhile :-)
Yes, there are some
ReplyDeletestories that we carry
with us forever......and
in that way, the people
that are in them are still
alive, right?
I bet you've made A LOT
of this ice cream with Miz
A. & Co. visiting this weekend!!
Sounds delish.
xo Suzanne
I think that when the memories of people from our past come to us like that, it shows that they are still with us. Love the ice cream maker, too!
ReplyDelete