Memories

Today was a special day for the Presley family. We did something today that I look forward to all year long. As a family, we all raked the leaves into a huge pile. Then Marshall and I watched the kids jump and play in the leaves for the next 30 minutes. It was so much fun.

So, you're probably thinking, what's so special about doing that together. Everyone does that. Well, for the Presleys, it has a much bigger meaning than what I have told you so far.

Two years ago today I was holding my son Odell. He was living at home with us. He lived for exactly 4 weeks, 2 of which were spent at Egleston, and 2 weeks were spent at home. During the time that we had him home, we enjoyed a beautiful fall Saturday afternoon outside with the kids playing in a huge pile of leaves, laughing at our kids, holding our son. We were a complete family of 5. Probably a week later he was gone. How quickly things can turn.

So needless to say, leaf piles have a special meaning and feeling for me. It is very bittersweet. It is as if he is somehow there in the pile too. Odell came to visit me in my dreams this past week, which is unusual, because I really never dream about him. It was so real, and it was so good to see his sweet face again. The dream was cut short by my alarm clock, however, so I hope to see him at least once more in my dreams maybe this week.

The following pictures are actually from the day we jumped in the leaves WITH Odell. Elijah and Payton are so much younger. We have a very limited number of pictures of Odell, and we also have a video. The following are actually pictures taken from still frames of the video.

This is Odell out in the back yard in his swing while we were raking that day. He has a feeding tube in his nose. And of course, below are my two favorite red-heads.

As I was taking pictures of the kids jumping in the leaves today, I had a revelation. I think from now on, each year we are going to take family pictures in the leaf pile, and possibly always use a "leaf pile picture" on our christmas card. And when you see us in the leaves, know that we are surrounded by Odell's sweet memories and love.

This year Odell's death day falls on Thanksgiving Day. My family will be in Tennessee, spending time with my extended family. I am thankful to God for the 4 weeks that I had with my son, and for the memories we made that day playing in the leaves.