Sugar Lump Studios

{A Soldier’s Sacrifice}

May 30, 2012

This post was originally made here:
http://sugarlumpstudios.com/?p=181

This week, I have been thinking about my ties to the military especially with Memorial Weekend going by. My son Andrew, served in the U.S. Army (Infantry) from 2006 – 2010. He was in Iraq for 13 months.

I made this album back in 2006/2007 before my son went overseas. Looking back, I basically lived in fear and shut my emotions off for those 13 months. It is hard to describe, but until you have been a military Mom, aunt, or sister you really can never know the sacrifices our soldiers make. I am sorry if that statement is offensive to anyone, because that is not my intent with this post. The emotion and understanding of what people go through is much more strong when you have had someone close make that ultimate sacrifice.

The sacrifices that still haunt their souls and members of their family. Flags, servicemen, and patriotic photos make me cry at the drop of a hat. I will never truly know what my son went through over there, but I am certain that he had 3 guardian angels looking over him during that time.

Thank you for allowing me to share this special album with you again! It means the world to me! :)

{Brothers Serving the U.S.A.}

May 16, 2008

I had the delight of receiving my Somerset Memories June/July 2008 Issue in the mail yesterday. After a long hard week of helping my Mom pack and purge her household, it was a little ironic at the timing. Just the night before, while I was going through my Dad’s odds and ends in the tool cabinet, I came upon a plastic bag that was sealed. I opened it to find my Dad’s WWII Army jacket, the one that he was unable to find the last few years of his life. I wept like a child as my emotions were mixed with joy and sadness. I was joyful that his treasure was not misplaced after all, but saddened at the reminder he was no longer with us here on Earth and he did not know his jacket was among his precious tools.

The WWII book was made to document parts of my Dad and his brothers service days.
You may see more of the album in this previous blog thread here:

Brothers Serving the U.S.A.

I hope my Dad is smiling down from heaven content to know the coat is safe! :)

{Somerset Memories April/May 2007}

April 2, 2007

Ford Family Album

I made this album and submitted it back in October 2006, and it was published on page 58 of the Somerset Memories April/May 2007 issue. Somerset did not publish the entire album – but I have put it up on my blog if you wish to see it – 8 pages are displayed:

Ford Family Album

I made my hubby go to Barnes and Noble yesterday afternoon when I was informed by Linda Harre that it was in the issue.

Linda graces the cover with her beautiful artwork and has a beautiful spread about an album she made for her grandson Hunter. Thanks Linda for being so kind to look up my publication! :) Check her out – her work is awesome!

{6 Months}

March 15, 2007

It doesn’t seem possible that today – 6 months have passed since we lost our Dad.
We are still going through so many of his papers, belongings, and I have not even begun to put a dent into the photos I have found. Sometimes I want to sort through, and other times I avoid it.

I have felt his presence still in so many ways – as have all of us. I still yearn to see him and speak to him again. I have a tape recording of his voice (an interview I did less than 5 days before he died) that I still have not been able to play. I am afraid of the unknown feeling of what I might feel.

I wanted to post this photo I found from the “new” collection of forgotten photos.
It is my Uncle Jack (left) and my Dad (right) during WWII. I love how happy they look – and how neat to be serving at the same time (their brother Jim was also but he must have been in Europe at this time)…

It still amazes me how much my boys look like their Grandpa. Sometimes I feel that God blessed me with that, I see it in their smiles, eyes, mannerisms…it really is odd how strong family traits can be! :)

I will be thinking of you today Daddy as I always do, hoping you feel my prayers and know that we miss you more than anything – but we try each day to love and support each other – and take care of Mom. Miss you!

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