Reflecting on the Past Seven Years
April 13 is upon us again, and reflection is in order. Today is the seven-year anniversary of my husband Mark’s passing, and none of us know how we got here this fast.
This photo is from the Monday after the funeral. I was sitting on the border of this fountain in a Fresno shopping area, not necessarily feeling sorry for myself, but feeling alone in the world. Our beloved Mark Tracy had gone on to be with the Lord, while the rest of us were left to stumble around here on earth, trying to imagine life without him. Today, in honor of who he was and the memories he left us with, we’ll take at our past six memorial posts.
After the first year I posted “It Will Be Okay,” and did a quick book review of the story by Lysa TerKeurst that had such an impact on our family at the end of Mark’s life. Little Fox and Little Seed had now stepped into the next chapter of their lives.
In April of 2018 we read about the silver pickup in “Not Really Silver”. Remember: “It’s not really silver, it’s just painted that way!
By April of 2019, it was time for “Not Really Silver, Part 2”, or “The Blue Chairs.” The blue chairs are still in their places, and people still walk by and remember all the times they would stop to talk to Mark as he was sitting there.
As Mark used to say, “Half the Fun in Life” was teasing me. In this post from April of 2020, we reminisced about the many faceted life he lived, including church work, Sunday school, Easter dramas, the blue shirts, West Coast Conference, his famous key lanyards and “the robe”.
“Follow the Directions” was the post for April 2021. We learned the secrets of cooking a perfect Thanksgiving turkey and saw his signature cranberry sauce simmering on the stove.
Last year was year six, and readers received the special treat of being able to hear Matilda and Oglethorpe in action, performing the classic Sunday school puppet show, “The Lost Coin”. Remember that crumpets, whether we know what they are or not, are good with tea. Click on “Tea and Crumpets” to find out what that has to do with a Bible story.
So now here we are at the end of Year Seven. It’s been a long road, and yet we have seen God’s blessings all along the way. True to His word, the Lord has been with us with every step.
While we miss Mark every day of our lives, and the memories bring both tears and laughter, we know that, with God’s help, it really has been, and will continue to be, okay.
Nana's Whimsical World 
Thank you for posting this! Sure do miss him! ❤️😢
You’re welcome! I think everyone who knew him does!
Thank you for sharing with us. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones 🙏🕊️✨
Thank you so much, Yvonne!
God bless you and your family. This is such a beautiful tribute to your husband. Keep the faith and know that one day, you will meet him again in the eternal joy of heaven.
Thank you, Julie! I’m glad to be able to share our precious memories of him with others. 💖
Awww… thinking of you today.. continued grace to you.
Thanks Susanne! ❤️
We were blessed to be neighbors to both of you over the years. What a fun time. The blue chairs still being there is precious. Love you Debbie!
Thanks guys! 🥰
What a truly Great man Mark was.
He is one of the real heroes in all of our lives. We are so lucky and honored to have known him.
I can only imagine the bittersweet pain that his family and you,Deb, still feel even after all these years. But he lives on in your hearts and in those lives that he touched and we will all forever remember him.
He made me laugh one day in the church foyer talking about his hair
He said “when I was young I had the waves, now that I am old…I have the Beach” .
These are beautiful tributes that you have posted and I have sincerely enjoyed reading every one of them.
Thanks Sandy, for your kind words. I’m glad we were all able to have him in our lives!
Aw, your beautiful husband, dear Mark, so many memories…
Thank you so much Chris! We’re blessed to have so many wonderful memories, a legacy, actually. 🥰❤️
🤗💝
Lulu: “A sad anniversary, but great times and great memories.”
Charlee: “For sure!”
Java Bean: “We dogs send lots of tail wags your way today.”
Chaplin: “And we Hipsters send purrs.”
Oona: “And so do I, smol Oona!”
Aww, thanks guys! 💖
Never realized how much Christy looked like him but whoa! Anyway, we didn’t have the honor to know Bro. Tracy, but he had to be one lucky guy to have you. So happy you got to be loved the way you truly deserve. WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much!🥰🙏🏻