Romans 8:28 - From All Things God Can Work Good.

Its not often that a comment here at The Thunder Run generates a seperate post, especially if it isn't a raving moonbat going on about illegal elections and lost causes, but Mr. Stokely's comment to me in my post about his son deserves to be on the front page.

He writes:

[T]hank you David - we love our boy none the less and miss him all the more. We had a great birthday celebration and raised money to help others. His soon to be 15 year old sister will present a scholarship this Monday, 4/23, to a young lady who was a gifted student until cancer of the optic nerve struck her academic ability a severe blow. This young lady fought back, will graduate with an average that does not attract academic scholarships, but is able to go to college. She is the kind of person the Mike Stokely Foundation seeks to help - those giving it their best, overcoming hardship, and needing a financial boost to the next step of life. While I wish Mike were here, that was a choice we didn't get to make. What we did get was a choice on how to handle it, and on Monday night, a young lady will be another Romans 8:28 blessing as a result of Mike's death - from all things God can work good.

Some choose the path of bitterness and blame; we have chosen the path of thankfulness for the life we had, and to celebrate a memory deservng of honor.

"Some choose the path of bitterness and blame; we have chosen the path of thankfulness for the life we had, and to celebrate a memory deserving of honor," and for that Mr. Stokely you and your family will will always be an inspiration. You won't receive the media spotlight and you will probably never get the Washington Post to understand why your feelings are just as valid as those who choose the path of bitterness and blame but you will inspire more people and affect more change than a thousand of the media darlings.

The amazing part is that the path Mr. Stokely and his family have choosen is the path that most Gold Star families have choosen. Yes they rightly question the Administration on the conduct of the war, we all do and should, but they don't trot out their families on national television declaring the war illegal, and President Bush equal to a serial killer. They mourn their loved ones not by making a charade of their death but rather an opus of love and honor.

Mr. Stokely, you truly are an inspiration and I hope that I am a third of the father you have shown yourself to be.