Thursday, March 29, 2012
The Lunchtime Bird (One of two new bird stories)
Today, when I returned to the Middle School from getting lunch, I walked upstairs toward my room to find that a bird had decided to come inside for a visit. One of my friends, Kim, was already ‘on it’, trying to figure out how to get the little bird, first of all, OFF of the bell which was prone to ring at any moment, and, second of all, outside. Being the mom of a cockatiel for about 15 years, and foster mom to a parrot, and having a new fascination with birds (particularly cardinals) these past several months, I definitely wanted to be a part of the mission to help the little bird find his way to more appropriate surroundings……and hopefully before the end of lunch recess, when the hallways would fill with fifth and sixth graders!
At some point, a third teacher friend, Jennifer, joined in, and, equipped with a trash can and a tee-shirt from lost and found, the three of us attempted to either catch the bird and take him to freedom, or to coax him to seek and find freedom on his own. We weren’t sure, exactly HOW it would turn out! Our building is built with the hallways making a big square. The bird, indeed lead us all the way around the square, with the three of us in hot pursuit. As we came to the completion of the full square, the bird got to the doorway to my room, which was open, and he flew in. We closed the door so that he would be contained, and I removed the screens from my windows. After the three of us attempted to coax, scare, coerce, etc….this little bird toward the window to no avail, we decided to leave the little bird to calm down a bit, and to hopefully discover one of the two open windows on his own. I had about 10 minutes before kids would be coming for ‘speech’, so I turned off the light, and sat to quietly do some paperwork. As it inched closer to time for my kiddos to arrive, the bird remained in the corner, a mere few feet from my window. I again, began an attempt to coerce him to the window. Finally, the bird lit on some file folders that I have in a rack right beside one of the open windows. I held my breath, hoping the bird would feel the breeze from outside, and realize that the breeze meant ‘outside’, and that ‘outside’ meant ‘home’! He seemed to be oblivious, though. So I said, ‘Chad! Call him! Tell him which direction to fly!’ After only a few seconds (I promise you this is he complete truth!) the bird chirped a couple of times. I said to the bird, ‘Go
with Chad!’ The bird chirped again and turned toward the window, paused for a second (I think to let me soak it all in), and flew away.
I had a small cry, and went on with my day…but with the reassurance that Chad and I continue to share a connection. Now, I concede that this COULD very well have been one big coincidence! I choose, though, to believe that it was truly a ‘God thing’…an opportunity for Him to once again assure me that death, in Him at least, is nothing more than a different level of living.
Thanks for the help with the bird today, Chad!! Love you! And thank you, God, for another chance to spend some time with my son!
Mom
Saturday, January 14, 2012
The Best is Yet to Be.....
Annie-Laurie,
Twenty years ago today, God gave me the first of my two most precious gifts....a beautiful baby girl! And, through you, He showed me a new level of love that I'd never experienced or thought possible! I remember rocking you when you were just a few days old, and thinking, 'She's so wise!!' It struck me then that to think that a newborn baby girl could seem 'wise' was a little absurd, but that thought didn't change my perception. And, as it turns out, that perception was absolutely right on the mark!
As you began to evolve into the beautiful woman that you are, I was so proud to watch your inner beauty even outshine your outer beauty, while that mysterious wisdom which God instilled in you has continued to grow beyond your years. On that first of your birthdays, if your life had been lain out before me, and I'd been given the opportunity to orchestrate it exactly as I would have wanted it, there would definitely have been events that I would have chosen to remove. However, watching you walk through those events with grace and a faith that's deeper than I can imagine has made me prouder than you'll ever know!
You've been absolutely everything I could have dreamed for a daughter to be all rolled up into one little person! I love that you have the femininity to be so much of a 'girly-girl' that you like shoes even more than I do! And yet you also have enough spunk to feel completely at home on a football practice field! Precisely the perfect blend of sugar and spice!! In several cases, you've proven to be 'the voice of reason' within our family, and in the face of circumstances that would have positively derailed most adults, you've managed to maintain your focus and your faith in God, only to become stronger! I truly AM amazed by you!
Today, as you turn 20, I want to tell you 'thanks' for your patience and your compassion, for being a hero to your brother, and for stepping up to the plate when it would have been completely understandable for you to fall apart. You're MY hero, too, and I love you more than you know!
While I'd love to 'plan' your next 80-or so years, God has taught me that He's a much better planner than I could ever hope to be, and I have no doubt that He's got all that covered. So I'll just enjoy watching it all unfold!! The best is yet to be, My Love!!!
Happy Birthday!!
XOXO
Momma
Twenty years ago today, God gave me the first of my two most precious gifts....a beautiful baby girl! And, through you, He showed me a new level of love that I'd never experienced or thought possible! I remember rocking you when you were just a few days old, and thinking, 'She's so wise!!' It struck me then that to think that a newborn baby girl could seem 'wise' was a little absurd, but that thought didn't change my perception. And, as it turns out, that perception was absolutely right on the mark!
As you began to evolve into the beautiful woman that you are, I was so proud to watch your inner beauty even outshine your outer beauty, while that mysterious wisdom which God instilled in you has continued to grow beyond your years. On that first of your birthdays, if your life had been lain out before me, and I'd been given the opportunity to orchestrate it exactly as I would have wanted it, there would definitely have been events that I would have chosen to remove. However, watching you walk through those events with grace and a faith that's deeper than I can imagine has made me prouder than you'll ever know!
You've been absolutely everything I could have dreamed for a daughter to be all rolled up into one little person! I love that you have the femininity to be so much of a 'girly-girl' that you like shoes even more than I do! And yet you also have enough spunk to feel completely at home on a football practice field! Precisely the perfect blend of sugar and spice!! In several cases, you've proven to be 'the voice of reason' within our family, and in the face of circumstances that would have positively derailed most adults, you've managed to maintain your focus and your faith in God, only to become stronger! I truly AM amazed by you!
Today, as you turn 20, I want to tell you 'thanks' for your patience and your compassion, for being a hero to your brother, and for stepping up to the plate when it would have been completely understandable for you to fall apart. You're MY hero, too, and I love you more than you know!
While I'd love to 'plan' your next 80-or so years, God has taught me that He's a much better planner than I could ever hope to be, and I have no doubt that He's got all that covered. So I'll just enjoy watching it all unfold!! The best is yet to be, My Love!!!
Happy Birthday!!
XOXO
Momma
Friday, January 13, 2012
The 'Firsts'.....They Came and Went and We Can Still Smile!! (Sorry this one's so long!)
Well....we made it!! The holiday season came and went, and we're feeling, as a family, as blessed as ever! Thanksgiving was simply beautiful at my Aunt Judy and Uncle Bob's house: 1) simply because we were all together; and 2) because my Aunt Judy and Uncle Bob do nothing half-way! It was perfect! Though Annie-Laurie had football practice (I still crack up every time I say that!) on Thanksgiving morning, she was able go over to Jackson to enjoy dinner with us, and to spend the night. MS State won the Egg Bowl the following Saturday, completing the almost-perfect holiday!!!
Though we initially didn't think that Annie-Laurie would be able to come home before Christmas, the MS State 'Football People' took a break on December 20th, and Annie-Laurie headed home. Less than 30 minutes after she arrived, 'the girls' came, and I was carried back to their high school days, when our house was routinely filled with laughing girls. What a treat that was!! We spent Christmas Eve at my parents' house, and Annie-Laurie left Christmas morning to go to Nashville to prepare for the Music City Bowl. I'm happy to report that, once again, MS State prevailed!!! Annie-Laurie, for all practical purposes, 'slept off' the week through New Year's Eve, before we returned to Cape for the remainder of our break.
On December 29th, we lost my Aunt Mimi, my dad's sister. While it wasn't unexpected, it was still difficult to say goodbye. Her memorial service was held this past Saturday, January 7th, Chad's 18th birthday. It was another one of those bittersweet times, as we were so sad to experiene another special day without Chad's physical presence, but were so blessed to be surrounded with family! There WERE plenty of tears, but laughter, too, as we remembered Chad.....hard to think about him without laughing!
In remembering Chad on his birthday, I thought about all of the things that I wished for him to be when I knew that he was on his way to us. I wanted a brown-eyed blonde ALL boy! I wanted him to be masculine, yet sensitive. I'm not sure if I specified 'funny', but since laughter is such an important element in my life, I suppose that may have just been understood. Well....if you knew Chad, you know that I got exactly what I asked for! Though his life was short, I believe with all of my heart that Chad completed the mission for which he was sent to earth. I may never know specifically what that was, but I DO know that he touched lives while he was here. And I know that his memory still makes many people smile....and sometimes laugh out loud! What more could we possibly want for our children than to make people happy? The only other thing that I can think that we would want is peace. Today, as I write this, I am content in knowing that my son has both of those things.....the ability to bring smiles to the faces of those who knew him, and peace. All IS right with the world.
Tomorrow, I will face the fact that I am the mother of a 20 year old! Yes, Annie-Laurie turned 2 exactly a week after Chad was born! I think that's possibly the only thing in my life that makes me appear organized!!! Though I'd love to gloat that I planned it that way, I have to admit that it was pure chance! Tomorrow, a blog devoted entirely to her on her day!!
Those of you who knew Chad, do me a favor, and take a second to remember something he did that made you smile!
Love to All......
J
Though we initially didn't think that Annie-Laurie would be able to come home before Christmas, the MS State 'Football People' took a break on December 20th, and Annie-Laurie headed home. Less than 30 minutes after she arrived, 'the girls' came, and I was carried back to their high school days, when our house was routinely filled with laughing girls. What a treat that was!! We spent Christmas Eve at my parents' house, and Annie-Laurie left Christmas morning to go to Nashville to prepare for the Music City Bowl. I'm happy to report that, once again, MS State prevailed!!! Annie-Laurie, for all practical purposes, 'slept off' the week through New Year's Eve, before we returned to Cape for the remainder of our break.
On December 29th, we lost my Aunt Mimi, my dad's sister. While it wasn't unexpected, it was still difficult to say goodbye. Her memorial service was held this past Saturday, January 7th, Chad's 18th birthday. It was another one of those bittersweet times, as we were so sad to experiene another special day without Chad's physical presence, but were so blessed to be surrounded with family! There WERE plenty of tears, but laughter, too, as we remembered Chad.....hard to think about him without laughing!
In remembering Chad on his birthday, I thought about all of the things that I wished for him to be when I knew that he was on his way to us. I wanted a brown-eyed blonde ALL boy! I wanted him to be masculine, yet sensitive. I'm not sure if I specified 'funny', but since laughter is such an important element in my life, I suppose that may have just been understood. Well....if you knew Chad, you know that I got exactly what I asked for! Though his life was short, I believe with all of my heart that Chad completed the mission for which he was sent to earth. I may never know specifically what that was, but I DO know that he touched lives while he was here. And I know that his memory still makes many people smile....and sometimes laugh out loud! What more could we possibly want for our children than to make people happy? The only other thing that I can think that we would want is peace. Today, as I write this, I am content in knowing that my son has both of those things.....the ability to bring smiles to the faces of those who knew him, and peace. All IS right with the world.
Tomorrow, I will face the fact that I am the mother of a 20 year old! Yes, Annie-Laurie turned 2 exactly a week after Chad was born! I think that's possibly the only thing in my life that makes me appear organized!!! Though I'd love to gloat that I planned it that way, I have to admit that it was pure chance! Tomorrow, a blog devoted entirely to her on her day!!
Those of you who knew Chad, do me a favor, and take a second to remember something he did that made you smile!
Love to All......
J
Monday, November 21, 2011
Never Change....
During his 8th grade year and a portion of his 9th grade year, Chad attended a boarding school in Pomfret, CT called The Rectory School. Rectory is one of my most favorite places....partially because it was one of Chad's most favorite places, and partially because it's such a special and wonderful school. Much of the staff actually resides right on campus, and many of them also serve as dorm parents. Just think about that, my friends who are involved in education. These precious people spend each day teaching kids, and many of them return home after that day (which all of us know can be a VERY long day) to supervise those same kids through their afternoon activities, dinner, studying, and bedtime. And then they wake up and do it all over again....every day!!! These are not people who have only chosen to teach; I believe that each staff member must be called and ordained by God to educate children. They focus not only on the reading, writing, and arithmetic portion of education......which, incidentally they do VERY well! They also focus on educating each child to be the best person he/she can be....physically, emotionally, and spiritually, as well as intellectually. I'm telling you.....these 'Rectory Folks', to whom I now refer as my 'Rectory Family', are not just regular people. They are, each one of them, angels. I know that Chad spent some of the happiest days of his life at Rectory, and I don't believe that I'll ever be able to find the words to express how deeply I love each one of those angels who so impacted Chad's life.
Chad maintained friendships with several of his 'Rectory Buddies' and also with some of his teachers and dorm parents. One of his closest friends, Lexy Carey, posted the most beautiful song on Chad's Facebook Wall, and I wanted to share it here with you. When I wrote Lexy to ask her permission, she answered, telling me that Chad had actually sent this song to her only a couple of days before he left us. Knowing that fills me with SO many emotions that I can't name them all. And it also tells me that Rectory and Chad's most special Rectory friends remained in his heart and were as much a part of his life as during the time that he was physically with them. On the day of Chad's funeral, a memorial service was held in the chapel on the Rectory Campus. Lexy wrote and presented an amazing and touching tribute to Chad. I believe she must be an angel, too!
Rectory Family, know that you are and will always be some of the most special people in my life! Sometimes when I'm missing Chad the most, my mind drifts to Pomfret, and I remember the blanket of love that all of you wrapped him in while he was there and suddenly, I feel as though I'm wrapped in that same blanket.....your love travels all the way to Southeast Missouri. I hope that you can feel my love traveling to Connecticut!
Love,
Julie
www.rectoryschool.org
Chad maintained friendships with several of his 'Rectory Buddies' and also with some of his teachers and dorm parents. One of his closest friends, Lexy Carey, posted the most beautiful song on Chad's Facebook Wall, and I wanted to share it here with you. When I wrote Lexy to ask her permission, she answered, telling me that Chad had actually sent this song to her only a couple of days before he left us. Knowing that fills me with SO many emotions that I can't name them all. And it also tells me that Rectory and Chad's most special Rectory friends remained in his heart and were as much a part of his life as during the time that he was physically with them. On the day of Chad's funeral, a memorial service was held in the chapel on the Rectory Campus. Lexy wrote and presented an amazing and touching tribute to Chad. I believe she must be an angel, too!
Rectory Family, know that you are and will always be some of the most special people in my life! Sometimes when I'm missing Chad the most, my mind drifts to Pomfret, and I remember the blanket of love that all of you wrapped him in while he was there and suddenly, I feel as though I'm wrapped in that same blanket.....your love travels all the way to Southeast Missouri. I hope that you can feel my love traveling to Connecticut!
Love,
Julie
www.rectoryschool.org
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Holidays......
Hey All--
Tomorrow is the first day of 'Holiday Week', and I find that I'm bracing myself as if there were a VERY big guy in front of me, poised to punch me in the stomach! I guess this is the beginning of 'the firsts'. I knew it was coming, and knew that there was no way I could ever be ready. Chad loved Thanksgiving. For most of his life, he was very much a 'family guy', and he especially liked his Grandma's cheesy potatoes and 'that stuff' (because he could never remember what 'dressing' was called). We ate at a restaurant once when Chad was about 8 or 9. He HATED it...said 'eating out is NOT Thanksgiving, and I hope we'll never do this again!' We didn't....and won't.
We initially didn't think that Annie-Laurie would be able to join us for Thanksgiving. The Egg Bowl (big annual football game between Mississippi State and The School Up North----we MS State fans don't say Ole Miss outloud!!!) is on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so Annie-Laurie will spend her Thanksgiving Break in Starkville at football practice!! So, I'd been racking my brain, thinking of what my parents and I could do for Thanksgiving that wouldn't seem sad. Eating at a restaurant-----definitely NOT an option! I'm so happy that my Aunt Judy and Uncle Bob have graciously invited us to spend Thanksgiving with their family in Mississippi. My Aunt Judy is my mom's youngest sister, and has always felt more like a sister than an aunt to me. She and her family have truly been instrumental in this transition to 'The New Normal'. Annie-Laurie and I stayed with them that first week this past June. Thank goodness, my parents and I will be in a place we've never spent Thanksgiving before, my Aunt Judy, Uncle Bob, and my cousins, Penny and Nicholas will be there, AND Annie-Laurie will be able to drive over from Starkville to join us! I'm hoping for a happy family time, because that's exactly what Chad would want us to do!
I'm beginning to decorate for Christmas a little.....but I'm not going to worry about what the celebration of the day will look like. It'll work out exactly as it should, and hopefully we can continue to happily celebrate the birth of our Savior. After all, Chad lives in His house now!!! And I'm sure Chad's been bugging Him about being 'Head Angel'!!!
I hope that you and your families have the most blessed Thanksgiving! Take the day to tell each member of your family what a difference they've made in your life! :)
Love,
Julie
Tomorrow is the first day of 'Holiday Week', and I find that I'm bracing myself as if there were a VERY big guy in front of me, poised to punch me in the stomach! I guess this is the beginning of 'the firsts'. I knew it was coming, and knew that there was no way I could ever be ready. Chad loved Thanksgiving. For most of his life, he was very much a 'family guy', and he especially liked his Grandma's cheesy potatoes and 'that stuff' (because he could never remember what 'dressing' was called). We ate at a restaurant once when Chad was about 8 or 9. He HATED it...said 'eating out is NOT Thanksgiving, and I hope we'll never do this again!' We didn't....and won't.
We initially didn't think that Annie-Laurie would be able to join us for Thanksgiving. The Egg Bowl (big annual football game between Mississippi State and The School Up North----we MS State fans don't say Ole Miss outloud!!!) is on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so Annie-Laurie will spend her Thanksgiving Break in Starkville at football practice!! So, I'd been racking my brain, thinking of what my parents and I could do for Thanksgiving that wouldn't seem sad. Eating at a restaurant-----definitely NOT an option! I'm so happy that my Aunt Judy and Uncle Bob have graciously invited us to spend Thanksgiving with their family in Mississippi. My Aunt Judy is my mom's youngest sister, and has always felt more like a sister than an aunt to me. She and her family have truly been instrumental in this transition to 'The New Normal'. Annie-Laurie and I stayed with them that first week this past June. Thank goodness, my parents and I will be in a place we've never spent Thanksgiving before, my Aunt Judy, Uncle Bob, and my cousins, Penny and Nicholas will be there, AND Annie-Laurie will be able to drive over from Starkville to join us! I'm hoping for a happy family time, because that's exactly what Chad would want us to do!
I'm beginning to decorate for Christmas a little.....but I'm not going to worry about what the celebration of the day will look like. It'll work out exactly as it should, and hopefully we can continue to happily celebrate the birth of our Savior. After all, Chad lives in His house now!!! And I'm sure Chad's been bugging Him about being 'Head Angel'!!!
I hope that you and your families have the most blessed Thanksgiving! Take the day to tell each member of your family what a difference they've made in your life! :)
Love,
Julie
Thursday, November 17, 2011
I'll Remember
Hey!
It's been awhile since I've written...1) I've had some internet issues; and 2) I've lacked inspiration. This "New Normal" has been a roller-coaster, as, I know, is life in general. It's, in many ways, difficult to believe that six months ago today was the beginning of the 'forever change' in my family's life. Sometimes it seems like yesterday, and sometimes it seems so remote that I think it must have been a bad dream. The one consistency is that I've noticed that the 'ups' on the roller-coaster aren't nearly as 'up there' as they were when Chad was here....amid all the happy times, there's a sadness that he's not here sharing them with us. I DO continue to feel his presence always, but I miss seeing his face, hearing his giggle, and just experiencing 'him'!
But, UGH!! I don't want this, my first entry in a long while, to be a downer!!! So I have to share a story with you. About three weeks ago, I had made a mad dash into my house, headed from my parents' house to meet Annie-Laurie in Nashville. I'd just run in to grab a couple of things before getting back on the road. As I walked through the middle of the house, I heard music coming from upstairs. I should back up here and tell you that when I first came back to Cape, the alarm would go off in Chad's bedroom. It was constantly 'on' because it never woke Chad up, and each morning I would go into his room to wake him myself, with his alarm blaring, and him sound asleep! So, needless to say, after about the second time I heard the alarm, the clock, radio, EVERYTHING was turned to 'off'!!! So, back to the music. KNOWING I'd turned the thing off, I went upstairs, hearing the music all the way up. When I got to his desk, I began to listen to the words: 'Don't forget to remember me...' It was a song I hadn't heard before. You see, Chad loved music, and especially country music. He would often bring his computer to me so that he could play me a new song that he'd discovered. So here he was, sharing another new one with me! I only listened to a part of the song that day, and told Chad outloud that there was no way in this world that I'd EVER forget to remember him!! It was only last week that I heard the song by Carrie Underwood in its entirity on the radio. Since I didn't recognize the song initially, I didn't know if I'd ever hear the whole thing again, or even know what the song was. But the day I heard it on the radio, I knew immediately that it was 'our song'.
Now, under normal circumstances, Chad would SOOO roll his eyes at me if I ever referred to a song as 'our song' , and I'm sure he'd have been devistated to think that I'd tell the world that we have a song. But I kinda think in this case he won't mind.
Chad....I definitely won't forget to remember!!! Love you!
Mom
It's been awhile since I've written...1) I've had some internet issues; and 2) I've lacked inspiration. This "New Normal" has been a roller-coaster, as, I know, is life in general. It's, in many ways, difficult to believe that six months ago today was the beginning of the 'forever change' in my family's life. Sometimes it seems like yesterday, and sometimes it seems so remote that I think it must have been a bad dream. The one consistency is that I've noticed that the 'ups' on the roller-coaster aren't nearly as 'up there' as they were when Chad was here....amid all the happy times, there's a sadness that he's not here sharing them with us. I DO continue to feel his presence always, but I miss seeing his face, hearing his giggle, and just experiencing 'him'!
But, UGH!! I don't want this, my first entry in a long while, to be a downer!!! So I have to share a story with you. About three weeks ago, I had made a mad dash into my house, headed from my parents' house to meet Annie-Laurie in Nashville. I'd just run in to grab a couple of things before getting back on the road. As I walked through the middle of the house, I heard music coming from upstairs. I should back up here and tell you that when I first came back to Cape, the alarm would go off in Chad's bedroom. It was constantly 'on' because it never woke Chad up, and each morning I would go into his room to wake him myself, with his alarm blaring, and him sound asleep! So, needless to say, after about the second time I heard the alarm, the clock, radio, EVERYTHING was turned to 'off'!!! So, back to the music. KNOWING I'd turned the thing off, I went upstairs, hearing the music all the way up. When I got to his desk, I began to listen to the words: 'Don't forget to remember me...' It was a song I hadn't heard before. You see, Chad loved music, and especially country music. He would often bring his computer to me so that he could play me a new song that he'd discovered. So here he was, sharing another new one with me! I only listened to a part of the song that day, and told Chad outloud that there was no way in this world that I'd EVER forget to remember him!! It was only last week that I heard the song by Carrie Underwood in its entirity on the radio. Since I didn't recognize the song initially, I didn't know if I'd ever hear the whole thing again, or even know what the song was. But the day I heard it on the radio, I knew immediately that it was 'our song'.
Now, under normal circumstances, Chad would SOOO roll his eyes at me if I ever referred to a song as 'our song' , and I'm sure he'd have been devistated to think that I'd tell the world that we have a song. But I kinda think in this case he won't mind.
Chad....I definitely won't forget to remember!!! Love you!
Mom
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Best Things
Wishing for a good evening for all....
I'm having an introspective evening....thinking about life, and what comes after. I've just heard of another angel who got his wings too soon....at least too soon in our way of thinking. We, of course, KNOW that God know's what He's doing, but that doesn't always keep us from questioning. Why are some of us taken so suddenly, while others of us are taken gradually?
"We were made for so much more than the things of this world. Sometimes, we can sense this. We have a feeling that, despite our best efforts, we don't quite belong here, that this is not our final destination. We have deep hungers and thirsts that cannot yet be satisfied. In fact, when we try to make this world our home, our ultimate security and place of comfort, we simply end up feeling disappointed or empty. This is why a great saint of the church was moved to write, 'Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee'". (Taken from the Introduction to the book, The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin and Alex Malarkey).
When I read this a few days ago, I thought, "What a perfect description of Chad'. He WAS made for so much more than earth, and I know that he knew that. It's a perfect explanation for the discontentment that he so often felt. I truly believe that Chad was destined for more, and this gives me peace.
As I think further, though, I realize that this quote is a description of all of us! We're ALL meant for more than this! Though some of us are taken to this greater destiny much sooner than we'd like, and others of us are left here to share our long acquired wisdom for years upon years, we're, all of us, meant to achieve a much greater level of living.
I heard someone illustrate death with birth. We leave the comfort of a warm and quiet womb under our mothers' hearts, the only existence that we've known, and enter a world that must seem SO cold and loud and bright to a newborn. Our first reaction is to cry. But as we become accustomed to this world, we certainly are glad that we endured that harsh entry, because life outside of our mothers' bodies becomes a very good thing, for we are free to run, and jump, and play, and form relationships with others!
Death must be just like that. We leave the comfort of life, the only existence that we remember, and enter the unknown. I believe that once we enter into that new life with our Heavenly Father, we have that same feeling that, while life as we know it is very comfortable, our heavenly lives will become such a 'good thing' that we certainly would never wish to go back, for we will be free....in the TRUEST sense.
This thought, too, brings me peace, as I am able to picture Chad in his heavenly home each day....becoming more accustomed to the newness, and feeling quite at home there. I've begun to start my days by thinking, 'I wonder what Chad's up to today?' It's good to know that, while he's not still with us in our earthly lives, he, in fact still IS....and he's doing so well....experiencing the 'good things'....the BEST things!
Life IS so good! But what a blessing to know that there's something SO much better waiting for us....and so many loved ones waiting for us there!
I pray for a peaceful night for all of you. I have some friends that I'd like for you to remember in your prayers tonight. God will know who you mean.
Love to all!
Julie
I'm having an introspective evening....thinking about life, and what comes after. I've just heard of another angel who got his wings too soon....at least too soon in our way of thinking. We, of course, KNOW that God know's what He's doing, but that doesn't always keep us from questioning. Why are some of us taken so suddenly, while others of us are taken gradually?
"We were made for so much more than the things of this world. Sometimes, we can sense this. We have a feeling that, despite our best efforts, we don't quite belong here, that this is not our final destination. We have deep hungers and thirsts that cannot yet be satisfied. In fact, when we try to make this world our home, our ultimate security and place of comfort, we simply end up feeling disappointed or empty. This is why a great saint of the church was moved to write, 'Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee'". (Taken from the Introduction to the book, The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin and Alex Malarkey).
When I read this a few days ago, I thought, "What a perfect description of Chad'. He WAS made for so much more than earth, and I know that he knew that. It's a perfect explanation for the discontentment that he so often felt. I truly believe that Chad was destined for more, and this gives me peace.
As I think further, though, I realize that this quote is a description of all of us! We're ALL meant for more than this! Though some of us are taken to this greater destiny much sooner than we'd like, and others of us are left here to share our long acquired wisdom for years upon years, we're, all of us, meant to achieve a much greater level of living.
I heard someone illustrate death with birth. We leave the comfort of a warm and quiet womb under our mothers' hearts, the only existence that we've known, and enter a world that must seem SO cold and loud and bright to a newborn. Our first reaction is to cry. But as we become accustomed to this world, we certainly are glad that we endured that harsh entry, because life outside of our mothers' bodies becomes a very good thing, for we are free to run, and jump, and play, and form relationships with others!
Death must be just like that. We leave the comfort of life, the only existence that we remember, and enter the unknown. I believe that once we enter into that new life with our Heavenly Father, we have that same feeling that, while life as we know it is very comfortable, our heavenly lives will become such a 'good thing' that we certainly would never wish to go back, for we will be free....in the TRUEST sense.
This thought, too, brings me peace, as I am able to picture Chad in his heavenly home each day....becoming more accustomed to the newness, and feeling quite at home there. I've begun to start my days by thinking, 'I wonder what Chad's up to today?' It's good to know that, while he's not still with us in our earthly lives, he, in fact still IS....and he's doing so well....experiencing the 'good things'....the BEST things!
Life IS so good! But what a blessing to know that there's something SO much better waiting for us....and so many loved ones waiting for us there!
I pray for a peaceful night for all of you. I have some friends that I'd like for you to remember in your prayers tonight. God will know who you mean.
Love to all!
Julie
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