Papa Rudy

This is a picture taken of the four generations of "Carol" Caubles on December 24, 2009. You have Rudy Carol Cauble, Ronald Carol Cauble, Carol Jones Cauble and Noah Carol Cauble....all 25 years apart from one generation to the next. This past week Papa got really sick and went to join Jesus on Sunday, January 17. CJ was able to spend some time with Papa and Papa told CJ that he was ready to see Jesus and go home. Losing Papa has been hard for the entire Cauble family, as it has been a difficult year for the entire Cauble clan after losing Chris and John in 2008/09. Papa has been sick a lot over the ten years I have been around but never lost his pizzaz. This past Christmas was special for me because Papa looked so good, was so alert and I personally was able to spend some time with him to just listen to his stories.

I might not be a "blood" cauble, but Papa was special to me and to my family. This has been an experience teaching the children about a sick family member and preparing them for the family member to meet Jesus. We have also been educating the kids about funerals and why we have them. While the kids have been given the knowledge they still don't understand....even though Noah understands and trys to explain to AnnMarie. It's sweet to see the bond they have of protecting one another and their innocence in asking questions. On a funny note, I have to tell you this story that happened yesterday on the way from school.

We were on the way home when I was explaining to Noah and AnnMarie that Mommy was going to see some friends and family and go to Daddy to celebrate Papa. We had been discussing that Papa was now in Heaven with Jesus, (which AM says baby Jesus). AM asks, If Papa is in Heaven, when is Nanny going to see Jesus? The way she said it I couldn't help but laugh but would have choked on my words if Nanny had been present! Poor AM didn't understand that our time on earth is not planned....I just told her that Jesus would let Nanny know when it would be time. We had to tell Nanny at the visitation and she just smiled. The wise words of a 2 year old. They are not afraid to ask the hard questions and they do not expect for you to side step with a generic answer....less you get the famous "why" or "well why not?"

Please pray for the Cauble family. They would appreciate your prayers and kind words....just please don't send any meat trays.....I think they have plenty of those!