As you know, today is the tenth anniversary of Bonnie's death.

It is just so sad that she was taken from us when she still had so much to give.

In our lives, we know a whole lot of people just casually, but just a few very deeply. Yet you didn't need to know Bonnie very deeply, however, to see just how great a lady she was in all respects. She was a Godly woman, a wonderful mother, a loving wife, a faithful and caring daughter, a great sibling, and someone with boundless energy and love of life.

Since nearly 30 of her years were spent as a military spouse, a number of which were as the as "the Commander's Wife," I should point out that she broke the mold. She never ever "wore her husband’s rank" on her shoulders; she was always the same Bonnie at military events and formals as she was at home.

Bonnie was also the Commander's Wife at very formal military socials who brought Hermie, a wooden duck with wheels on a stick. Bonnie rolled Hermie under the skirts of the ladies' formals and then reprimanded him for being such a rascal. Bonnie was Bonnie.

Anyone just meeting her and seeing Bonnie-being-Bonnie might wrongfully conclude that she was a bit ditzy, but we know that such a conclusion was totally false. In fact, she thought deeply, spoke clearly, and demonstrated a uncanny depth of understanding of life in general.

We know that children can have lots of external influences that shape their personality, but mothers like Bonnie are there for their kids. In the Braden household this resulted in children who speak correctly, dress neatly, have a good table manners, don't do drugs, don't smoke or vape or chew, don't abuse alcohol if they use it at all, don't see the need for profanity when communicating, do have or are developing a personal relationship with Jesus, and attend to their civic duties and responsibilities.

Most important, our children, with their spouses, are passing these traits on to their children.

Bonnie must be smiling.

Bonnie touched so many lives. We know she is no longer here on earth with us, but we see how much she impacted our lives with her joy and love.

She was a person who lit up the room when she came in. Her laugh was infectious. Her joy was unbounded. She loved her kids and grandkids, and every person she met.

Today I will be carrying something physical from Bonnie's possessions, thinking of her often, crying a little, and remembering some of the many good times we had together and as a family.

We were so fortunate to have her in our lives.

We love you, Bonnie!

Jay

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If you click on the June 10 calendar Remembering Bonnie link, it will take you to a number of pages on the family website that are about Bonnie.