Realizing Dirk's Dream

[Betsy D.]

In January of 2000, Dirk and I were "looking" at houses. Not to buy at the time, but scouting for our future purchase. We knew that our current house, one we loved, would eventually be too small for our family. At the time we had a two month old son, Jim. One beautiful, sunny, bitterly cold afternoon we drove past a small cape cod style house with a very large yard. Dirk was hooked. We looked at the house. Yes, it had 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths, but two bedrooms were upstair and 2 were downstairs. It was a 50 yr. house that needed help. But Dirk had a dream. The man rarely had dreams that he would remember. He dreamt that he was playing in the backyard with our son. Frisbees, kites, etc... How could I deny the man his dream. We bought the house...

Now, 9 yrs later the children are realizing Dirk's dream. As I write, I am watching them fly kites on the cool, but breezy and sunny Spring evening. Alex and Jim keep getting their kite strings tangled which I don't get because there is plenty of room for both of them. Emily has wandered next door to play with our next door neighbors' Bernese Mountain dog. After the initial kisses, Riley and Emily are just wandering around the yard, . . on the playhouse deck, around the pool fence, just hanging out together... How Dirk would love to be sitting on the patio watching this scene. What I am doing is imagining our newly born Cimmy romping around the boys, jumping at their kites and barking at Riley to play and best of all, Emily wandering around our yard with Cimmy tagging close at her heels.

Two parts of this picture are missing. Dirk and Cimmy. Cimmy will join us, but of course, Dirk won't. How I miss him, but some day he will watch from heaven as our children and our puppy have a wonderful time playing in this beautful backyard that he dreamt about.

[Brenda Hetzel]

I too had a cape cod style house when our puppy arrived. Not only did the puppy nip at my childrens heels, but it also jumped it the pile of leaves with them that they had made in the fall time, and went into the igloo they made in the winter time. Yes, your children are soon to make many happy memories with Cimmy! It is great that you are doing this for your children doing this difficult time. You are a strong woman! God Bless you and your family!

[Jeri]

Thank you for sharing. Your thoughts remind me to treasure my husband and know he is my best friend. Our LD Sam wakes me up every morning around 7:15AM and Jaeger(our Aussie Shep mix) could care less and lounges in bed with Tom. Before you know it Cimmy will be part of your life and if Cimmy is like our pups we love them being part of our life. It sounds like Dirk would too if he could. Is Dirk still at home with you? My prayers our with you and your family.

[Kyoko]

You will be carrying his dream, making it come true, Betsy.

[Susan]

Betsy, I can not pretend to imagine what it is like to lose your best friend and husband. Just remember that Dirk will be watching over your entire family and smiling down when he sees that scene in the front yard. You have to carry on his dream for him. Take pleasure in what you can now and know that we at DoodleKisses are here for support should you need it! Hug your babies tight and talk to them about their Daddy as much as you can. They will need the stories.
Prayers for you tonight,
Susan

[Adrianne Matzkin]

The part you left out was where Cimmy is nipping at their heels. Dirk will be watching, giggling and wishing he was part of it but you all will know that he is there - deep within your heart and soul! I hope and pray that God will wait and allow you to have pictures of Cimmy taken with Dirk, you and the kids.
You are in my thoughts and prayers - may God continue to give you the strength that you obviously have.
Take care of yourself,
Adrianne