WebWalker's Blog

No one falls in love by choice, it is by CHANCE. No one stays in love by chance, it is by WORK. And no one falls out of love by chance, it is by CHOICE.

Today is April 22, 2008... two years from the day Thomas Marion Tate departed this earth. He was our beloved father, our mom's devoted husband, he was uncle, brother, friend... he was loved and admired by many, and missed by all. Mom, Gary (my nephew), and I went to the cemetery today. I think we were all feeling trepidatious, mom most of all. But it turned out to be a beautiful experience. We sang some songs, Mom recited The Lord's Prayer, I read a few passages out of one of Daddy's favorite books (Archy and Mehitabel). We sat and talked with each other and to Daddy. It was a beautiful day with a warm sun and a light breeze, and the Arizona sky was brilliant. And we felt like Daddy was right there with us, like we could just reach out and touch him. We knew he could hear us and we knew he would not want us to continue in sadness, but to go on with Life and to carry him in our hearts as we do so. Just as we were leaving, Sherry called from Israel and got to talk with each o...

I read this today and must share it. (The emphasis on certain paragraphs is mine.) She obviously loves her soldier even if she disagrees with the politics of everything. I loved her point that if EVERYONE in America were required to serve their country for a couple of years of their lives, the anti-war protestors would be supporters.. they would be part of "we." Anti-war wounds By Katie Dyer For The Register-Guard Published: April 20, 2008 We’ve marked the end of the fifth year of war in Iraq, and the 4,000th soldier killed there. They hold a peace rally downtown. There are dozens of people there. I’m sure many of them are the same people I see on the street corners — their signs say “Support the troops, not the war.” I watch them with tears in my eyes. I believe in my heart that the demonstrators are good people. They want what I want: for the war to be over, and for all the soldiers fighting it to come home. They are hopeful, passionate, and they have no idea how much it hu...

The following video is of the United States Army Glee Club singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic on the White House lawn April 16, 2008 during the welcoming ceremonies for Pope Benedict XVI. This is one of the most moving renditions I have ever heard. I get goosebumps every time I hear it, thinking of all the men who have "died to make men free." During this War Against Terrorism, the thousands of men (and women) who have sacrificed life and the tens of thousands who have lost limbs should be remembered every day by all of us with the privilege of living in Freedom. This is one citizen who is humbly grateful for their sacrifice. And following is another version, but with footage from WWII. Awesome footage; combined with this song it brings a lump to the throat of any American. May we always remember the sacrifices of these men and women.

Mom (Emily) and I returned to Arizona yesterday from a week in Kansas City with Rick and Anthoney. We cried together, hugged and reminisced together. On Thursday Tom and Robin and Jerry joined us, and on Friday the funeral was held and we all said our final farewells to Auntie. It was a heartbreaking week but I am so glad we were all there for Rick. In my last post I said I would post what I said at Auntie's funeral service. Here it is. --------------------- For those of you who don't know me, my name is Susan Walker, and I am one of Edith's nieces. Edith Marie Hern was known to many people by many different names. To some, she was Friend. To others, Confidant. To one - my cousin Rick - she was Mom. To Anthony she became mother as well, and she loved him as much as her natural born son. When she married Harry Hern she became step mom to a wonderful family who welcomed her into their arms and hearts, every one of whom she loved dearly. To others she was "Sister Edith,...

Well, yesterday was the funeral, and what a day. I am soooo glad that Rick had so much family support, it was so needed. He had been terrified of sitting in the front pew all by himself, feeling more alone than ever in his life. In the end the family section was full up. There was Rick, Anthoney, me, Emily, Robin, Jerry, Tom, Cheryl (Hern), Iris (Hern), Florence (Auntie's cousin on the Casteel side), and Florence's niece. There was a big turnout, maybe 150 people or more, and tons of flowers. There were people from her church, a wealth of Edith's friends, Rick and Anthoney's friends, and even some of Rick's clients who have become close friends with Edith over the years. Before she died, Auntie had agreed to a SHORT service (versus just a graveside prayer which is what she originally wanted) because the weather has been very inclement, and it was to be performed by her pastor, Brad Ratliff. She had made him promise he would 'keep it short' and then she wrot...

It is with tears and a heavy heart that I pass along to you the news that Edith Hern passed away this morning, at Rick's house where she has been living the past couple of months since being discharged from the hospital. She had congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, diabetes and more, but was fighting valiantly until she contracted pneumonia last week. My mother (Emily) and I will be flying to Kansas City early Monday morning to join Rick as he grieves for his mom. We do not yet know when the funeral service will be (a meeting with the funeral home is scheduled for tomorrow), but we hope it will be by Wednesday. For any who are interested, here is the funeral home information: Maple Hill Funeral Home 3300 Shawnee Drive Kansas City, Kansas 66106 (913)831-3345 email: support@maplehillfuneralhome.com website: www.maplehillfuneralhome.com Please pass along this information to anyone you know who cared for Auntie Edith. To send a card to Rick or to contact him, here is his i...