I Will Remember You
It felt almost like a sneak attack Tuesday. Throughout the day, I acknowledged the occasion in my own way. Trying to be positive and upbeat, I thought of the years I had with my sister and enjoyed re-living some of those memories. Then, that evening, I was bombarded with all sorts of emotions that lead into the next day. Sitting at my desk at work, tears began to well up inside of me and spill out through the corner of my eyes.
No one mentioned my sister on her birthday, and that hurt … deeply.
While she’s no longer physically here with us on this earth, I like to think that she is always, and will forever be, with me in spirit and in my heart. Yet, without any mention of her, it hit a nerve and struck one of my greatest fears. Have people forgotten about her? Were her 32 years on this earth for nothing? I think NOT! Although she’s been gone 15 years, which seems like a lifetime to some, it still seems like it was yesterday to our family. The circumstances surrounding her death magnify the loss we feel deep within right to the very core of our being.
And so I allowed the emotions to flow. I felt the feelings and allowed the tears.
I didn’t hold it inside as the next day, I voiced my concern to a few friends who reminded me that Pam will never be forgotten. From my heart, I truly hope they are right. I’d like to think she touched a place in people’s hearts and lives, and I cannot fathom no one else being affected by her loss 15 years later. Surely there are others out there thinking of her and wishing things had been different. We can’t be the only ones. Right?
And so I vow today, just as I have every day since July 9, 2001 when our hearts shattered over the loss of my only sibling,
“I will remember you.”
Hope For The Hopeless
Classic Christmas songs can be heard floating through the kitchen as the tunes seem to dance right out of the speakers.
o/~ o/~o/~ o/~o/~ o/~
“It’s the … most … won … der … ful … time … of the year … “
For some, this rings true. However, have you stopped to consider that for a lot of people, though, this time of year brings a tremendous amount of pain with it? As people are rushing here and there getting in the Christmas spirit, others are mourning the loss of loved ones and are finding it hard to greet the day let alone finding Christmas cheer.
Just this past weekend, a precious soul was lost. No one truly knows what another is going through. While there was speculation, no one can confirm or deny except for the person themselves or God above. Regardless of the reasoning, this lady took her own life. And the community is at a loss as to why this beautiful and vibrant 77 year old would do such a thing. Now, instead of planning for the holiday meal and wrapping presents, the family is making funeral arrangements.
Would you please pause for a moment and offer up a special prayer for people EVERY where that are hurting? It seems to be magnified at this time of year. Hearts are hurting all through the land.
There are those suffering with the loss of loved ones, loss of jobs, or even not sure how they will make ends meet. Others are struggling mentally with things or are physically dealing with an illness. Regardless of the reason, they need our love and prayers. We need to show compassion and speak softly around others because we truly do not know what they are dealing with or when they might be at their wits end. Some may be holding on by a thread, and your kindness toward them can make a world of difference as to what they decide their next step in life will be.
Will you join me in being an encouragement to those hurting in the community at this time of year?
Where ever you are, please pray for all the hearts that are hurting this holiday season.
God bless you all.
Bible Journaling
Bright colors leap off the page now when I flip through the bible. When once I felt I was disgracing the Holy Word by doodling in my bible, it has actually become a trend for the vast majority in this day and age. Bible journaling is gaining in popularity.
I’ll never forget my grandmother’s bible. The worn cover opened to reveal notes she wrote in the margin. While I imagine some were written as she was listening to the preacher behind the wooden podium, others were written as prayers from her heart to God. These prayers were for her family. Ah, she was forever praying for and over her family.
We didn’t fully come to realize the messages she some times scribbled in her bible until it was given to us after her death. It was then that my line of thinking started to shift, and I realized how truly special it was to write in the bible.
Now, as I pick up my colored pencils, I realize that one day my children and perhaps even my grandchildren will hold my bible in their hands reading the words that I have written.
With this in mind, I slip the colored pencils out of the pouch and go to work. I quickly find that purple and red have become my favorites as they, to me, symbolize royalty and the blood of Jesus.
There are all kinds of things you can write and include inside of your bible. Whether you choose stickers, or if you just want to write out bible verses in multi-color like I started to do, your bible will really come to life.
My children enjoy using the gift set, although I have not allowed them to claim it as their very own. Yet … anyway. ~smile~ As Christmas is approaching, this would make a GREAT Christmas present for a family member or good friend! Click here to purchase this Bible Journaling Kit, OR click here to enter a giveaway!
While I received a gift set from Propeller/Fly-By Productions, the opinions expressed here are my own and were not influenced by their gift.
