Photograph

 

Ian,

Remembering you through photographs capturing memories on your birthday:

• in Maryland, Vacaville, Disneyland, Texas and all around Austin;
• with friends, family, cakes, cupcakes and foil;
• as a kid, teenager and man.

Each picture tells a story, as Rod would croon. Stories of giggles, laughter, fun and hope. Each picture holds time in a bottle - to inspect, to reflect to relive, to wish to turn back time.

As Ringo, would sing:

"Every time I see your face

It reminds me of the places we used to go;

All I've got is a photograph

And I realize you're not coming back anymore.

I thought I'd make it

The day you went away

But I can't make it

'Til you come home again to stay."

I realize that you will not be making it back home, our home, again to stay. You are Home. It is we that must come Home to stay - and there find you.

[We are] longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Heb. 11:16

So much has happened. So many have gone Home, grandparents, friends, and other family. My little sister Stephanie is with you there. How I miss her! How I know that the two of you much have much to celebrate and share together.

2011 was the last time the Pogue-side of our family was all together for Christmas and your birthday. We celebrated Wichita Falls and look at the smiles.

We were together on Thanksgiving 2012 - really the last time our group was together in person - all in one place. Lots of joy and fun then!!

We enjoyed a virtual Christmas that year - opened gifts and shared with joy, but unfortunately, we were not all together.

You left us in 2013. Stephanie in 2020. We will always be incomplete and time marches on.

But, one day we will be gathered back together to be always with the Lord.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thess. 4:16-17

I could go on...so much to remember...so much to have once again. But for now - I just needed to say "hello" - to say, you are not forgotten; your memory burns brightly. The hope of reunion continues always.

Love and miss you "e"!

Dad