Eugene F. Twining

Gene, Another Easter has come and gone.Pretty much a quiet holiday. Missy, the children and I went to church. Billy had picked out his own shirt and tie ( orange, his favorite color). Looked great with his gray suit. Maryelizabeth wore a peach dress and actually kept her shoes on.Dan made the traditional ham dinner. Got some great pictures of Maryelizabeth eating blueberry pie.She's cruising furniture now and talks up a storm with some words being quite clear.Still having weather too cold to...

Today marks the one year anniversary of your death. There are no words to describe how deeply we feel your loss.
Billy and I are going to try to send a rose to Heaven on a balloon today. When I told him you went to Heaven, I had no idea that he was expecting you to come back. It's been tough for everyone. We all feel your loss every day. When the tears start, it helps to think of you saying something funny to make us stop crying. I am going to miss you forever and you can't stop me.

It's been a year since you arrived at Heaven's gate. I can't say it's become much easier. Even though I know you are in a much better place and I wouldn't want your suffering to continue. I miss you so very much. I especially miss your wit and quick answers.
I know you will be watching over me Friday when I have my surgery. Poor Billy is so concerned about me going to the hospital. He can't understand why the operation can't be done at my house. I have promised him I will be okay and will...

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome...

Billy has something to say but he can't write, so I will type exactly what he says

Dear Papa Gene,
Leave me a coin, I love you, and I would like to send you one of my toys on a balloon. You kissed me before you went to Heaven. Drop me a quarter or a coin and keep loving me forever. You used to hold me and sing me songs when I cried and you were an army guy protecting us. I miss you a lot. I wish you could be with me forever. The End.
Love
Billy

Keep watching me from Heaven

You Were
Not my father, but you could have been.
And if not my father, then you were a faithful friend.
You made me laugh until I cried, and when I cried
you made me laugh again.

You were
A soldier and a poet, stubborn to the core.
It was just that kind of strength
that must have seen you through the war.
A boy of seventeen with a cause to fight for

You were
Not afraid to stand up for what was right.
You were willing to give up
all the comforts...

It was a very tough Christmas, Buddy. Billy slept with your Christmas stocking. He's really angry that we couldn't drive to heaven and bring you back nor could Santa bring you back. All but Maryelizabeth have the flu. I did take Billy to Chris and Heather's Christmas eve. Came home early as the fatigue is getting worse.Still in the testing stage for a kidney transplant.Also visited with Eva as she has gone to her niece's for Christmas. You have another great-grandson due in May. I know you...

Somehow we survived our first Thanksgiving without you being here. It just didn't seem right. I was so used to the holiday call and your wondering when dinner was going to be served.Dan made the turkey, dressing and gravy.Seemed really strange not making a mince pie.Billy was really excited as he got to make the cranberry sauce.Miss You big time!
Love, Sis

As yesterday was Veteran's Day my thoughts were on you most of the time. Billy and I placed a red rose at your gravestone. We looked up and there was a penny sitting right on top of it. Billy said" Papa has left me another penny and I am going to put it with the other money he has left us." No one not even Missy knew I had planned to stop there.Billy says you have been in Heaven long enough and wants to drive there and bring you back.When told we couldn't do that he wanted to know if Santa...