VERY heavy heart these days...

I don't even have the words to say in this post, a lot has happened this past weekend to give us very heavy hearts. Actually, my heart is weeping...

On Sunday, we lost our beloved Grandfather, Herman F. Brinkmeyer. He is finally in heaven with Jesus GOLFING!!! While we are relieved he passed (due to his illness and him being in pain) it still doesn't close the gaping hole in our hearts that is now open!

For me, Gramps was not just my in-law, he was MY GRANDFATHER! I lost my biological grandfather when I was 5 and Gramps stepped in to his place (when he didn't have to); I have known him and been a part of the family since I was 9 years old. Gramps has been in every major moment of my life... my high school graduation, college graduation, wedding, the list can go on. Gramps IS THE REASON I have the love and the life I have! When I went through a hard time in my personal family Gramps was there! He has come to Bubba's soccer and baseball games AND his preschool Thanksgiving feasts! Gramps didn't miss a thing!

To Ry, Gramps was everything! He is his inspiration to be a better man! When Ry's dad wasn't around Gramps was. He helped raise him (and what a fine job he helped doing). It is so hard for me to see Ry weeping (he doesn't ever cry), emotionally drained. I don't know how to comfort him other than to be there. I can say though I know in my heart Gramps was SO proud of Ry. Where he was and where he is now is a night and day difference... he is a better man now and Gramps was so proud of him. If Ry becomes half the man Gramps was he will be a GREAT man! I know he will!

He will be missed so much! I hope we can all live in the manner he did, full of life and love!

So happy!

Our last time seeing Grmaps... SUCH A BEAUTIFUL MEMORY we will cherish. He wanted pictures as soon as we saw him!

I adore this picture ~ taken in January (just look at his smile, its beautiful!)

Gramps (and Gram's) first meeting of our little Bunny. He may not have realized over the last year we had 3 babies but we have pictures that mean the world to us to show he had interaction with each and every one of them!

 Then...

As if the passing of our beloved Gramps wasn't enough on Sunday, our community, HIS community is suffering and mourning the loss of 19 heroes!

Friday a lightening strike in Yarnell caused a fire and wasn't doing too much until the monsoon seasonal winds on Sunday changed its path and it became "wild" (from the words of one of the hotshot crew members). Our Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew, fresh off the Doce Fire (directly in Prescott on Granite Mountain) went in... sadly they were overcome and trapped and thus 19 of the 20 member crew gave their lives on the line of duty. If you are not familiar with the Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew, they are the elite of the elite! They train hard and work even harder. They are based here in Prescott (literally not even a mile from where I work). Most are from here in Prescott.

Prescott, normally very active and full of life has been very somber over the last few days (as it will continue to be). This story has made international news (not a good way to do so).

We are FOREVER in debt to these men (and their families).

This is their Station, right before the entrance to our maintenance yard for my work

I have been praying for not only our family during this trying time but the families of these fallen heroes. This is so hard to swallow!

But I know that Gramps is talking to each and every man who gave their life, he has something in common with them... his beloved Prescott!

To remember:
So in memory of Gramps we will be attending the 4th of July parade here in Prescott (something that Gramps took Ry and I to many many times when we were kids); we are going to try to sit in the same location Gramps always did (at the St. Michael Hotel) AND our children (Bubba and Peanut) will run in the Whiskey Row Boot Race in memory of Gramps! Please stay tuned to the blog after Saturday because I will be posting what I am doing for this. Let's just say very few know what I am doing but it is definitely something Gramps would want!

Please say a prayer for our family during this time... but also please pray for Prescott and the families and friends affected by this tragedy.