The loss of a dear friend

At 8:30 on Christmas morning, my phone began to ring. On the other end was 81 year old WWII Naval Veteran Herman "Shorty" Hagerman, a friend from the Patriot Guard. He was calling to wish me a Merry Christmas. We had a nice short conversation, he sounded great and seemed to be in a great mood, we exchanged our good wishes and told each other "love ya' brother" and that was it. I remember my wife commenting that was a sweet thing to do and I smiled to myself, "Yeah, Shorty is like that".

The next morning I got another call from a PGR friend, Big Ack this time, he was calling to tell me that Shorty had passed away earlier that morning. Imagine my surprise, initially my denial, as I had just talked to him! But it was confirmed that Shorty's big heart had played it's last beat just before 5:00 that morning. Then the whirlwind began. Funeral planning, notification of the rest of the Patriot Guard, mission planning, processing of the finality of it all, and honestly more than a few tears.

It was decided that the Patriot Guard would provide a flag line for Shorty's visitation on Monday night and that Big Ack and I would officiate the funeral services. The visitation was awesome, there were bikes and bikers and friends and loved ones all in and around the funeral home. We remembered and celebrated the life of this big,little man and we tried to show him the honor and respect he was due.

Tuesday morning was the time set aside for his service. Even more bikes it seemed had gathered and there was standing room only in the chapel and more standing outside as silent sentinels for this hero. As the friends and family came by Shorty's casket to pay their final respects I learned even more amazing things about my friend. I did pretty well until Shorty's brother came by and cried on my shoulder and gave me a hug that felt a lot like Shorty.

We proceeded to the gravesite where we laid Shorty beside the wife he had lost on Christmas day 1997, coincidence? Flagbearers surrounded the tent as taps was played, scripture was read, a prayer was said and a flag was folded in honor of a great man.

Smooth seas Shorty, you may stand down now. Take your rest and enjoy your eternity. We'll be together again soon. Until then, we will do our best to continue the work you took so seriously and we'll try to do you proud.

"Thank you Father for the promise of eternal life in Christ and the comfort we have in knowing that because of his faith in Jesus that Shorty is there in heaven with you even now. Keep an eye on him Lord, he's little but he's quick!"

I can almost see him now, smiling profusely while dancing with the angels. Bon Voyage dear friend, until we meet again.

Jeff, you blew right through Christmas brother!

Yes, my apologies. No posts for some time. Please find the our Christmas letter a reasonable facsimile for a Christmas post...

It’s hard to believe it has already been a year since we had such an awesome Christmas vacation to Pagosa Springs, Colorado where we skied, snowmobiled, rode a 2-horse open sleigh and just romped in the snow for a week. But calendars never lie.

It has been an active year in the Hulsizer abode (so what else is new?).

Jennifer is 16 now (scary) and she and dad are sharing driving lessons. She is actually doing quite well, it’s just hard to let go. She is a junior in high school and doing well in her classes in spite of lots of extra-curricular activities. She finished a run as Marty Maraschino in the Jacksonville High School rendition of Grease (and was the best actress on stage...of course), and just finished singing in the Jacksonville Choir’s Madrigal Dinner. She is still active with the Devilettes (the High School Dance Team). All this while juggling Youth Group at church and some boy that has started coming by the house. But we stay on her about Pre-Cal, French & Chemistry just because we’re parents and that’s what parents do..

Jessica (three months from 21—scarier!) is well into her first year of Nursing School as a junior at the University of Arkansas at Conway. Clinicals for the first semester were at a nursing home there in Conway where she surprised herself being able to handle some of the more earthy requirements of being a health care professional. Next semester she has been assigned to the Veteran’s Hospital in North Little Rock. I hope they’re ready! Jessica has done an awesome job keeping her grades up and keeping up with all the papers and assignments required. Her young man, Matty, is almost a permanent fixture around the house but Dad actually doesn’t mind, it gives him a good excuse to watch Monday night football and play in the garage. The last day of finals this month Jessica was hit from behind while sitting stopped at a red light by a big rental truck, there are no broken bones but we fear whiplash will be an issue. We covet your prayers for as few problems as possible.

Shelia has a new job now and we are very excited. She is the registrar for Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood. She had been filling for the previous registrar who had been waiting to retire while out on medical leave. She misses being at the same high school as Jennifer but a guaranteed salary was just too good to pass up after several years of substitute teaching. Shelia’s other big news this year is that she has taken up running again. She has already run several 5Ks and even one 20K. She is currently training for a half-marathon. We couldn’t be more proud. Shelia and her running buddy Sara run faithfully 3 times a week (weather permitting) and really have been good for each other.

Jeff would have started at least walking with Shelia but he forgot that gravity and mass are not friends of people his age. A jump that wouldn’t have been a problem a few years and few pounds ago ended up fracturing his left ankle and being in a cast and walking boot for 3 months. Right after he was released from the boot he led a trip of 11 church members on a mission trip to St. Petersburg, Russia to assist a mission couple there with work on their facilities and their ministry. Jeff continues to enjoy his work as Chaplain for the Patriot Guard Riders of Arkansas. This October we completed our 8th year at Faith Baptist Church where Jeff is the Pastor of Administration, teaches the Faith Bible Class and plays drums in the orchestra, Shelia sings in the choir, Jennifer plays trumpet in the orchestra and Jessica substitutes in the girls Sunday School department. We love our church home and feel blessed to be able to work and worship with such wonderful people.

We hope this finds you and yours happy, healthy and whole and enjoying this blessed Christmas season.

Our love to you all,
Jeff, Shelia, Jessica & Jennifer Hulsizer
Jacksonville, Arkansas

An Attitude of Gratitude

Yes, the actual season of Thanksgiving is over (and what a special blessing it was to finish out the Thanksgiving weekend by observing the ordinance of the Lord's Supper with my church family Sunday night!), but I have noticed that not everyone does a real good job of showing their gratitude.

I like to think that I am a happy guy. I enjoy laughing and cutting up and enjoying the days I've been given here on this earth. But I'm beginning to think I am in the minority. I know that as I get older my fuse becomes shorter and my attitude slips easier than it used to, but there are just some miserable people in the world!

Always finding something wrong with everything, looking like their gallbladders have backed up, and snapping at everything and everyone. Baby, we are too blessed to be stressed. I love the old hymn that reminds us, "when upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed...count your many blessings, name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!"

If we stop for a moment and look outside ourselves, we can plainly see how blessed we are. Yes, there are potholes in the highways of our lives and sometimes it rains on our parade, but the easiest and least productive thing to do is to complain, to find fault, to get hung up in the blame game. Let's make it a point to rise above the ordinary and be happy, joy-filled people who actually enjoy the life they've been given. Go out of your way to lighten the load for someone else, make a friend, be good to someone else, it will make you feel better too!

We have bought the lie that it's all about me. Look out for number 1, but that doesn't lead to anything except an empty life and a miserable disposition. Selfishness is a killer.

Therefore, I've challenged myself to live a bigger life than the one within me and to look, think and live outside the box. I'm gonna be happy even if it ticks you off. Life is too short for whining, complaining and poor, poor me!

I'm a child of the King, an American, a member of the human race, a Baptist, a biker, a husband, and a daddy. What's better than that?

Christmas is coming people, you better get ready. The "reason for the season" might just bless your socks off just to see you squirm!!! Now get out there and play nice!