I have been putting this off, but I feel the time has finally arrived. This will be the final post for Blaine's Progress. I am no longer able to track that, others in another place will. I know he is doing well. I will leave this post up for 2-3 weeks for people who would like to comment to do so.
How are we? There are surely days and parts of days that are hard, and we grieve, but we are handling things. We are moving forward, not moving on. We will not move on from him, ever, but we will move forward. He is eternally part of us.
-Dani is back in school, still loves BYU, has great friends and a good apartment with good roommates who have chosen to room together, taking a basketball class with half of the BYU football team. Hmmmmm.... She has worked hard this last year, paying off a good chunk of her student loans from her earnings. She is moving forward towards her degree. She makes us proud.
-Josh is getting to know Laie, Hawaii as a new freshman at BYU-Hawaii. Today is the last day of orientation and classes start tomorrow. He has made incredible choices this past year and done everything we have asked him to do. He put the family's needs ahead of his own several times, sacrificing things he had worked hard for. He will now, we hope, gain some of those things in Hawaii. We are also very proud of Joshua.
-Alexis continues to choose well, keeping a great circle of friends as close as she can while attending early morning seminary and working in her classes. She looks forward to Basketball season, and will benefit from her now 5'10" frame. She sings in the Advanced Ladies Choir which she enjoys very much, and for whom there is a fabulous director. She finds ways of offering small acts of service that help others. She is a joy and a delight to me. I am proud of Alexis Leigh.
-Kyle has done very well also. I am very proud of the growth and development I see in him. Yesterday I looked outside and Kyle was mowing the lawn. With no prompting from anyone! (Insert angels singing.) He has gained confidence and self esteem, and is enjoying his scout troop and friends. He also looks forward to basketball. I am pleased with, and proud of Kyle.
-Marleigh is teaching music part time at Heber Valley Elementary School as well as teaching private voice, and taking a class at BYU. Yes, we are busy.
Our household make up has changed drastically. It went from six people, to five, to six again this summer, to suddenly three: Alexis, Kyle and I (and Jarah, our golden retriever). I hardly know how to cook for so few! We are learning. My children find it very weird to be part of a one parent home, but we are managing that just fine. They are helpful and kind to me, and mostly to each other. We spent the weekend together in Jackson, Togwotee and Yellowstone Wyoming, in honor of where Blaine and I spent the first part of our honeymoon. It was wonderful. We continue to find joy in each other's company, and seek it first and foremost.
I need to tell you a bit more about who my husband is, not was! He still lives, just in another sphere. He is full of faith in Christ. He was prepared to meet his God, and I am sure did so with joy, and perhaps relief to no longer have to suffer, for suffer he did. He bore cancer with such dignity. He lived his life as my husband and our children's father so very well. I cannot express my pride in him, and the joy I have to be his wife. I am so very proud to call him my husband.
He taught me to be steady in my emotions. He taught me to stand still when all around me was in turmoil. That turmoil never had to reach inside. He showed us how to bear things with dignity and grace, and not just cancer. He had the faith to be patient while things worked out, or didn't, while he stood on solid ground, even when his surroundings were not so solid. He stood still and held firm.
Hel. 5: 12 (Book of Mormon)
12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
He lived this injunction. He helped me to live it better, and we pass it on to our children with the hope that they will continue to live it in the excellent manner they have chosen. Blaine built his personal house on the rock of his redeemer, Jesus Christ. The success we have had, and I feel like we have had much of it, is because of that sure foundation. We move forward, continuing to put our faith, hope and trust in our loving Heavenly Father who is the God of life. We put our selves in His loving hands, knowing that He knows how to do His work, and that He does it perfectly. In matters of life and moving beyond this life to the next one, He does not make mistakes. Though I miss Blaine terribly now, I can't wait for the day when I get to rush up to him and throw my arms around him. I look forward to that day with joy, and know that this life still holds much joy for the Blaine and Marleigh Savage family. We are grateful to have shared this part of our journey with you, and look forward to keeping in touch we hope, with so many. God Bless, and take care.
Blaine and his sister, Shauna, one of his life time best friends
Weeks before our wedding
Engagement photo
Dani's blessing day
Joshua's birthday
Alexis, just days old
Kyle at one year
The four amigos
Alexis
Alexis
NH family
Heber vacation
Portland, Maine
Boston, Mass, Freedon Trail
Maine again
Acworth winter!
Bishop Savage and his counselors, Paul Liberty and Daryl Hodgins
