It has been a harder Holiday season this year. It seems like I know many families experiencing personal loss this season. On Tuesday we attended the funeral of a 4 month old boy. Pray for this family. They knew his time here on Earth was going to be short...but it is so hard. Another family we know of lost their 19 year old daughter in a car crash on December 11th. She was driving to church. Luckily we know Nancy really loved Jesus. She really radiated Him in her life. Our pastor lost his 17 year old daughter in November. That has been hard for my children...who were friends with her. Ivy touched so many people. She will be missed. Another girl I used to know just lost her life to cancer a few days before Christmas. She was 39 and leaves a husband and 3 children. I hadn't seen her in about 20 years, but I still remember her sweet and gentle spirit. Childhood friends of mine lost their father, and two step-brothers in a tragic fire. My sister is related to this family through marriage.Meanwhile...I notice my mother slipping farther and farther away from us mentally. It's another loss.
This is the hard Eucharisteo. I think I have been a most ungrateful daughter and have decided to become a more thankful one. It's not always easy. It takes practice and a lot of it. I've started journaling it the old fashioned way...with pen and paper.
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Hard stuff. Yeah. :(
I thought of two more friends who have lost a parent this month too.
I continue to list gifts, but it is impossible to write anything I am thankful for concerning the fire, save the fact that I am now thankful Angel and Ed did not move to Williamson years ago. They bought a house in Webster instead and Carmen visited Angel almost every day. For that I can be thankful. I am also thankful that I forced myself through Elaine's line in K Mart years ago, breaking some of the tension that had built between us. We no longer passed each other in public pretending to be strangers. I am thankful for my connection to this family through the years, and for their presence at our Dad's memorial service two years ago. Finally, I count it a gift to hear my childhood friend hug me and say, "I love you." I know that God has more blessings in store down the road and I am watching for them.
That's good, Martha. I spoke to Elaine at the calling hours and was glad I did.
Hi Priscilla!
I agree so much with what you've said. My heart is heavy for all the families and individuals I am currently feeling the burden [in a good way] to pray for. I see we share some of the same families, in fact. It is hard to see so much hurting.
But I keep reminding myself that God is there in the private moments of these people's lives. Off to the side, WE see and pray for their large hurts. But I have confidence that in simple moments these families and people are seeing living examples of God's goodness and faithfulness. He won't forsake any of us. Our Abba Father will hold all of our hands.
Thank you for being a prayer warrior for these people. I will pray for you and your sisters and your Mom and your days and communications with her. She has raised some pretty wonderful daughters!!
Thank you for your inspiring words, Stacy.
It has been a tough month. My friend Laura (who I believe is the same one you mentioned in your post) died 3 days before Christmas. I have followed her journey with her since the beginning, attending prayer services, bringing meals, etc. Dave and I sat at the memorial service in clear view of her husband and 3 young kids. Watching him dab his eyes while she was remembered was sad to watch as his little girls snuggled up close to him. Her last days were very similar to our dad's, as she had struggled with the same pain and nausea. The Pilato family has also weighed heavy on my heart...so much to pray for. It was a tough end of the year this year, but it is a new year now with new beginnings and new blessings.
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