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EN(dur)ANCE by Robin Gudal

Today, as I sit at my computer, floods of memories rush through my mind. Exactly where I was, what I was doing, where Greggy was, the moment, the hours that followed and then the months and now years.

Four years tonight my strong, (physically and sometimes strong-willed) Jesus loving, wife adoring, farmer father-in-law passed from this world to his awaited Heavenly one. It was a beautiful moment in our lives.

“But our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” — Philippians 3:20-21, NIV

I think of the coming weekend of Memorial Day. Thank you to all those who have given their lives for our freedom! Thank you to all the ripples of family members these lives have personally affected. Blessed be the memory of these dear men and woman!

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” — John F. Kennedy

Graduation time is also a much-celebrated season. I dug out my senior memories book, with a giggle under my breath. It is 42 years since this book was “autographed.” The glue has let go on many pictures and the hues are changing. The giggle welled up as I thought, “Wow, this is beginning to be a senior memory in my life trajectory.”

Bricelyn 1982 class motto was: “We all live under the same sky, but we all have different horizons.”

On the heels of graduation — 19 days following to be exact — I married Greggy. June 19 th was a glorious day. It rained in the morning and as with any bride,

I was upset until one of his aunts told me, “This means showers of blessings!” It has been! In honesty it also has had a few overcast days, moments of frustration, (thank heavens Greggy is a patient man) and yet we have arrived where we are today because we chose to put Christ first and then we leaned in to each other.

Greggy is my best friend, and I would not want to walk this path of life without him. I respect, love, and adore him!

Three years later we welcome our first of four children into our lives, Happy June birthday Isaac!

Lastly, I want to acknowledge all the fathers (mommas also who play this role) on Father’s Day. You are important! You play a valuable role in our lives. I am so thankful for Greggy as he is an amazing dad, papa! The gift my dad gave me was a can-do attitude, an instilled hard work ethic and the importance of genuinely caring for others and being kind. Dad, I love you!

Robin (Beckman) Gudal is intentional in life, a wife, momma, nana, friend, a flawed and imperfect follower of Jesus.