Declan,
Grandma got a picture of you this morning that made me jealous (yes grandmas can get jealous too) of where I saw you having your breakfast. It was in Grandma Kathy's kitchen in California. And when Aunt Jill got off the phone this morning she told me that you and Aidan (your second cousin) really liked the monkeys so I bet you went to the San Diego Zoo. Grandma loved to take your mommy there. Her favorites were the big snakes (HA HA).
Declan, when you were born grandma had a sinus infection and had been sick for awhile so I had to wait for 2 weeks until I could grab you from your mom and just snuggle you to my face and shoulder. Oh you smelled so good! It took at least half an hour before grandma would let grandpa hold you, but grandpa was so good about it because he knows how grandma loves her babies. We sat and just held you thanking God for the beautiful gift of you Declan. God made a special mommy and daddy just for you Declan and knew years ago who little Declan Alexander Klyn was going to live with. More important Declan, He knew that mommy and daddy believed in Jesus and would start teaching you before you were even born. I knew mommy sang to you but my guess is that daddy did too.
When you were here for Christmas one of grandma's memories was watching you walk all over with your hand up saying eh?, eh?, eh?, eh?, eh?, eh?, eh?, eh?, eh?, eh?, eh?, eh?, eh?, eh?, eh?, until someone took your finger and even though you could walk alone you always wanted someone to go with you. It was so funny. Also the bath you and Quint took in the kitchen sinks. Grandma got to sit and watch and I think grandma ended up with more water on her than you. Quint just sat watching and laughing. But Quint's mom and dad told grandma that when Quint got home he splashed and got them all wet. Declan, your belly laugh is so much fun to listen to, and that picture of you standing at the sliding door with the doggie is priceless.
Declan, for reasons we don't understand grandma has a sickness that means she will be with Jesus before you are all grown up. You will always be in my heart and I trust mommy and daddy will always be teaching you more and more about JESUS and if you ask your cousins Tyler and Eli questions about grandma, they can tell you because they know a lot about their silly grandma. Declan, I love you to the bottom of my heart and I know mommy and daddy will also tell you about me. I LOVE YOU DECLAN WITH ALL MY HEART.
Love Grandma Dawn
Love Grandma Dawn
5 comments:
Dawn~
You don't know me or I you but I am a friend of Debbie Veenstra. I have been praying for you every day. I am so sorry that you have to go thru this. I have MS and I am in a wheelchair now. I will not pretend to know or understand what you are going thru completely but I think I understand a little better than someone who has no decease at all. I love reading your blog and all your postings to your kids, grandkids and family members. I love your honesty and that inspite of your loss, and all the emotions your illness brings (besides the obvious) you have shown such courage and strength and trust in our Lord. Your children and grandkids will never forget that and I know that when challenging times come their way (as they do to all of us in one way or another) they will draw strength from your courage and strength. I will visit again and I will post more comments. I am praying for you.
In the grip of grace,
Nina
Hi Mrs.VanEssen!
This is Cari VanderHeide Wolters. I have read your entire blog and I am amazed at the ministry you are doing with the internet family. Your faith, trust, and love for God shines through this blog. You have the light of Christ in you and you are ministering to so many people. You ask the questions that a lot of people do not admit they have about God, suffering, and purpose. Thank you for your ministry. Thank you for sharing part of your life. Thank you for your faith and unwavering love for Jesus.
My parents were at your house this past weekend and I am so thankful they were able to visit with you and Mr.VanEssen. It meant so much to them.
My husband is a pastor and our Church is praying for you and the entire family. We pray you will experience God's grace, mercy, and peace daily. I have so many fond memories from our visits to Muskegon with the VanEssen family. Please tell Jill that I send my greetings. Again, thank you for ministering to me and so many others through your life.
in Christ's love,
Cari VanderHeide Wolters
Hi Dawn~
I ditto the last comment. Your really an inspiration. I know you most likely don't feel like one but you are. God is using you in a mighty way. I must admit I wish it was under different circumstances but as you know IT IS WHAT IT IS and you are a true courages woman to prove that. I am praying for you.
Nina
Dawn,
In a different way than you, I have been speechless since I found out about your diagnosis. I just didn't know what to say of how to react. Reading your comments has been an inspiration. Your perseverance, grace, humor, insight...all that, touches the lives of so many people!
Your family and mine have been intertwined for so many years as the kids were growing up. It was like one big crazy family! As I look at the pictures Jane has, and some I have, I can't help but remember the crazy things that happened! From making Andy toothless for a few to Alex being one (I think!?!?) of the only kids from the church that slept between the pastor and his wife (YOU can explain that one....or not!!) You are a part of the family and we hurt because you do.
Your thoughts and words remind us not to take anything for granted and to tell the people we love how much they mean to us. You are an inspiration!!
Know that you and Doug and your family are in my thoughts and prayers every day. You may feel like your body is betraying you, but your spirit continues to shine brightly!!!
Keep talking to all of us, Dawn, we need your insight, honesty, and reflections as we do our best to let you know each, in our own way, that we are traveling with you.
Dawn-
This is Virginia Collins Friesen and I sent a small package to you this week, addressed to Crossroads Church. I hope you have received it.
You have been constantly in our prayers since word of your condition reached us. There really are no words to express how sad we are that you are going through this very dark valley. We join your family in praying for a miraculous intervention by our gracious God.
Your blog postings are full of inspiration and encouragement. Thank you for being so honest, so real, and so transparent. Your courage and strength of faith in the midst of so much pain, disappointment, and uncertainty are life-giving to those of us reading. Your children and grandchildren are blessed.
May the presence of God be more real to you each day.
With love,
Virginia Collins Friesen
virginia@himweb.org
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