Bunny Burrow

Today...

was hard in lots of ways.

Some you can imagine, and some I can't even begin to explain.  It was a special day and a day of enlightenment on many levels.

My Mom read the following in honor of my Dad:

Christmas In Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
with tiny lights like Heaven's stars reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular please wipe away that tear
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
but the sound of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you of the JOY their voices bring
for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I can't tell you of the splendor or the peace here in this place
Can you just imagine Christmas with our Savior face to face

I'll ask him to lift your spirit as I tell him of your love
so then pray for one another as you lift your eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful and let your spirit sing
for I am spending Christmas in Heaven and I’m walking with the King.

I know my Dad is in a better place and I know that my family and myself will all be okay.

AND if you really want to be annoyed today, get THIS stuck in your head!

Merry Christmas all!

When I get where I'm goin...

On November 28th, I had just left Dad at the hospital and picked up my children.  Mom called and tearfully told me I needed to return.  In the car, I pulled over and couldn't figure out where I was and how to back to the interstate in order to get to the hospital.

I tried to pull myself together.  I told my boys we were going to the hospital.  I turned the car around and turned the radio on to cover my tears.  The following song was what was playing on the radio and the ONLY thing that allowed me to make it there without incident.  I laughed through my tears and was as prepared as I could be.

Here it is in it's entirety, "When I Get Where I'm Goin'" by Brad Paisley:

When I get where I'm going
On the far side of the sky
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly

I'm gonna land beside a lion
And run my fingers through his mane
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain

Chorus
Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
I will shed the sins and struggles
I have carried all these years
And I'll leave my heart wide open
I will love and have no fear
Yeah when I get where I'm going
Don't cry for me down here

I'm gonna walk with my grand daddy
And he'll match me step for step
And I'll tell him how I missed him
Every minute since he left
Then I'll hug his neck

Repeat chorus

So much pain and so much darkness
In this world we stumble through
All these questions I can't answer
So much work to do

But when I get where I'm going
And I see my maker's face
I'll stand forever in the light
Of his amazing grace
Yeah when I get where I'm going
There'll be only happy tears
Hallelujah
I will love and have no fear
When I get where I'm going
Yeah when I get where I'm going

You can go HERE and click on "clip" for song 12 to get the melody. 

The song ended and I knew that my Dad had left this Earth to be in a better place, free from pain.

It's been hard to come here and write about my Dad and his final days.  This is very public and much of my feelings/thoughts have been very private but I am doing better every day. 

If you have been a reader of my blog for long you know that I have written volumes about the relationship I have had the opportunity to have with my Dad and know how special that has been for me. 

Hopefully I will be back to my blogging self soon when I get where I am goin'.

Thanks for all the wonderful thoughts, prayers and support during this most difficult time for me and my family.

Dad's Obituary

John D. "J D." Haynes
HAYNES, JOHN D. "J.D." Loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather went home to be with his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on Nov. 28, 2005, after a courageous battle with Melanoma. J.D. was born April 19, 1932, in Brashear, TX. He served in the military from 1953-1955. He joined the Dallas Fire Department as a Firefighter on May 1, 1955 at Station 41 on Preston and Royal Lane and retired after 33 years as a driver. He remained active in the Dallas Retired Firefighters Association and treasured the friendships of his Firefighter buddies. He also operated, 'Haynes Gulf' with his brother at the corner of Mockingbird and Skillman for 17 years. He was a devoted husband to Vera Haynes for over 53 years and loved spending time with his family. He was a member of Casa View Baptist for over 33 years. John was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Alma Haynes, and his brother, Garlon Haynes. He is survived by his wife, Vera Haynes and four daughters.  I've left off the rest of our names and locations for privacy reasons but you get the idea. I just wanted to post it. Thanks! :)