Never Forget

Just in case you were thinking of enjoying the day off without remembering why you have the holiday, I wanted to post a true story of the kind of terrible sacrifice that is made for YOUR freedom. And this is just one of millions.

If you ever met the Buoniconti's, you would remember them. They were pierced, tattooed weirdos with loud kids. Not weird goofy, weird like either you got it or you didn't and they weren't apologizing. Frank was an opinionated perfectionist who often infuriated his coworkers and frustrated his wife. Kryste was the anti-Army wife - proud of her husband and his service but she wasn't decorating her house in Americana. They were in church every Sunday worshiping the Lord they loved, opening their doors to anyone and everyone for family style dinners. I don't think there was ever a time I went to their house and there wasn't someone hanging out. Frank loved to cook and bake and dreamed of opening a bakery in Germany upon retirement. Kryste and I were going to open a foster home. :)
They both had big hearts for service. Frank served his country and Kryste researched and fought for her kids constantly. She was always the one to go to if you wanted to know about organic cooking, cloth diapering or toys not made in China. Instead of hosting elaborate birthday parties for her youngest child, she took donations for clean water in honor of his birthday. Her oldest daughter cut her hair for Locks of Love. They all went bare foot an entire day to support shoes for poor kids around the world. There was no end to the love they showed to the world.
And that extended to their passion for orphans. They supported orphanages around the world and spent years researching and fundraising to adopt. Most women have to drag their husbands into the idea of adoption (me included) but Frank was not such a man. He loved kids and the idea of a big family. He was a fantastic father.
As you got to know them you noticed how much Frank and Kryste were true soul mates. Too weird for anyone else really, they'd known each other and been dating since high school. Like Brian and I, they had forgotten what life was like before they met each other. It's always been Frank and Kryste. They had enough in common to make a good team, enough different to make things interesting. They made each other laugh and supported each other through the tough times. Kryste would give him tacky gifts and he would go right along with it.
The last time I saw them together I drove up to the Atlanta airport to meet while they were between flights. They had just formally adopted their third son and it was a dream come true for Frank. The three of us sat on the floor outside the USO and listened to Frank talk about his career plans and how they had just found Russian sisters they wanted to adopt. They were already at it again! At one point Frank said something that irked Kryste and she kicked him in the rear end and he hugged her to make amends. So normal. So together. Planning for the future, struggling with the present, but always together, always hauling all those kids around and giving them an interesting life.
And then days later it was all gone. It's so stupid but I honestly can't believe it happened to THEM. Not Frank and Kryste. Not the Buoniconti weirdos. Not to sweet Zoe, and hilarious Ronin and little Liam the Wild One. And not to Hunter, who had finally gotten a Daddy for the first time in his life. How does something so awful happen to such good people?
I never wrote about this until now because I couldn't. I didn't even know what to say. Kryste called me at 7:30 on December 13th to tell me Frank had been in a crash and didn't make it. I couldn't even comprehend what she was saying - it just wasn't possible. Not Frank. Not Kryste's Frank.
Watching Kryste go through this has been a lesson in what hell on earth is like. I've never longed for Heaven like I do now. This earth is full of evil and horrible things happen to good people and I don't want to be here anymore. Knowing Frank is with his Lord and Savior has made this easier to take. As Kryste said, they will all run into his arms again one day. And it's the truth. But it's the wait until that day you wish you could just skip.
Kryste is working hard to keep Frank's legacy a good one, and he left her with so much to work with. He really did have a heart for people and life and did so much in his short 36 years. They made such an impression on people as a couple that the support and love and his been pouring out from all over the world. To honor him she's asking people to do the crazy things they're always too scared to do, to serve others, to support orphans around the world. This is how Frank lived his life and it's fitting he be honored in this way.

Brian and I would like to start a family tradition for our Memorial Day celebrations in honor of Frank- showing some act of kindness and service to others on this day. I think of Kryste and her kids every day, but I want to DO something as well. I hope their story can inspire you to do the same. Our freedom is NOT free, and good people have paid a sacrifice so big, it's unimaginable. And this is just ONE story. Two other husbands and fathers and one wife died with Frank on December 12. So many children orphaned, so many spouses left to rebuild when they would rather just have their old life back. Pray for these widows and widowers, and then go out and HONOR their sacrifices. It's the least we can do.