A Great Day Came

Just a quick post to say that yesterday, Griffin's birthday (or his Heaven day as some have suggested.....love it) turned out to be a great day. A recap if you're interested.....

I woke up bright and early at 5am. It's what time I always get up so no big deal. Got dressed and waited. Didn't think to go outside and check the weather. It was COLD! Should have checked before I put on shorts and a t-shirt. My running buddy came a little after 5:30. He was in long sleeves and jogging pants. Smart. We took off around 5:45 toward Woodlawn Cemetery. One thing to note.....it is SO much easier running with someone than without. The 5 miles seemed like nothing. We talked through some of it. Some was quiet, but it's just easier when you are with someone else. And I'm so grateful he decided to run it with me. The furthest he'd run was a 5K, but he made it fine. In fact, he led me some of the way. I had to keep up with him. Nice job, Ben. We made it to the cemetery around 6:30. Five miles in 45 min. Not too shabby for the first time in months. My parents were there. A few other friends came....nine in all....to pray together and watch the sunrise. It was beautiful. God gave us a great show. I knew He would. My parents brought flowers and birthday balloons....4 white ones and 1 colorful birthday one. They said we could do whatever with them. I left them there for the moment. Wasn't sure what to do yet. They drove me home just in time to take the boys to school. "What are you doing here, dad?" They didn't expect to see me coming in the door at 7:15am. I told them I was just going to spend the day with mom. The boys knew it was Griffin's birthday but for them it was mostly just a normal day. That seemed best. We took them to school and then ran a few errands. Susan's uncle had sent us a gift card to go get new flowers for Griffin's grave. So we did. Got a beautiful arrangement and took it there. We picked up the balloons. Susan thought the boys might enjoy them. We went home and enjoyed lunch together. Watched the Brady Bunch. My idea of a perfect lunch. After lunch, I got out Griffin's box. I had posted about this earlier. It's a fairly large tub full of letters, notes, and "Griffin's things" from the hospital. I was amazed once again at how many letters and cards were in there. Hundreds. I looked at all of them. This is when my only tears of the day came. And it's funny, I didn't cry when reading all the cards from our friends or family. Those were encouraging to me and made me feel happy. It's when I read what my boys wrote and what I had written to Griffin.....that's when I cried. But it was quick. It was needed. It was fine. After that, I went on a hike. Just me. Went to Radnor Lake and walked about 3 miles on the trails. Stopped along the way, about every other bench, and let God talk to me.....and sometimes talked to Him. Listened to some spiritual music. It was a great "date" with God. Saw creation. Saw beauty. Saw Him. Came home and took a short nap. It was then time to pick up the boys from school. The day flew by. Why does it go so slow when I'm here teaching and so fast when I'm not? Funny, huh? Max had a baseball game and Carter had practice. Those went well. Lost the game but it was a lot of fun. Max did well. Got home and did homework and got ready for bed. Susan then gave each of us a white balloon. She took the colored one with her too. We went out in the driveway and Susan said we would send them to Griffin, one at a time. Both boys wanted to go first. We decided youngest to oldest. Then, my favorite moment of the day......Max asked if he could say a prayer before he let it go. We said sure and bowed our heads. Nothing. No words. He was praying silently. A few seconds and he let it go. Carter followed and wanted to do the same. Me next (Susan's much much older than I am.....ok, a year or two). I talked to God once again....had been all day........and sent Griffin my balloon. Then Susan. We then all held the colorful birthday balloon and I talked to God for all of us out loud. I thanked Him for the day. I thanked Him for Griffin. I thanked Him for taking Griffin to Heaven. I told Him we couldn't wait to see Griffin again. We let the balloon go. Together. We watched it for a few minutes. Then we went inside and went to bed. I love my family. It was a great day.

There's a great day coming. It will be the best of all. But in the meantime, God gives us great days along the way. Some days aren't as great. Some days are tough. But every day is great in the sense that it's a gift and a blessing. Yesterday was a great one. One of my greatest. It wouldn't have been without my family.....my wife, my boys, all 3 of them, my Savior and my God.

I love my family.

A great day came.




I love God, Griffin, my Girl, and my Guys.

Keep runnin'. The PRIZE awaits. (Php. 3:14)

-Albert