HAPPILY EVER AFTER STORY

In the news the last couple of weeks, has been news surrounding a volcano in Iceland. According to reports, there has been volcanic ashes in the air floating toward and over a lot of Europe. Much air traffic was cancelled due to these ashes, as they could cause damage to an airplane's engine and that, of course, was very unsafe for planes in the air.

Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), the Bible study group I have been a member of for many years and am a current leader, was having a training group of people from all over the US and the world. Because of the cancelled flights, many were stranded by cancelled flights back to the UK, Kenya, etc. I had the privilege to take two such ladies (Helen Elston and Pam Faulkner) from Bristol England to lunch and then back to BSF headquarters after their visit to our our class last week while they awaited news of their flight home. Huston, Emery and I entertained them with a salad lunch and enjoyed hearing all about their class in Bristol.

The conversation at lunch varied from class comparisons, families, how we each came to BSF and so forth. After sharing about ourselves, Pam asked me how I came to know the Lord. I am always amazed at my answer. I feel like a light bulb lights up inside when I tell my story. Though I explain it was really a long process over a couple of years to begin with...the learning to walk with my Lord took many, many more. However, as I tell it, I feel like I begin to glow. It excites me to tell how my Lord brought me along step by step.

You know, people always say that you should know the exact moment when you are saved. But I think it is not always like that. I think it can be a process. Think about it. One first has to know what he/she is "saved" from. People used that word "saved" without thinking about the true meaning. Most people who aren't believers, don't think they need saving. However, what they don't realize is that we all need to be saved.

God tells us that there is a heaven and there is a hell. For those who do not know they are a sinner, the wages of sin is death and eternal separation from God. For those who do not know God loved us so much - in order that we may have eternal life with Him, and was willing to send His Son to pay the penalty/wages for our sins past, present and future, THEY will spend eternity in hell - eternal - in a conscious state - wanting to die but cannot. Think about it...THAT is what we are saved FROM when we believe Jesus Christ is our Redeemer - HE paid the cost for our eternity in heaven. THAT is why I LOVE to tell about how good God is to save me.

So today, I am thankful for opportunities to tell others "my story." My story of being saved FROM eternal damnation in hell TO a glorious, majestic, wonderful, eternal life in heaven in the presence of my Father God. I don't want another living soul to spend eternity in hell. Perhaps telling my story could spark another to know their Redeemer too. So, thank you Helen and Pam for giving me the opportunity to tell my story.

Thank you Huston and Emery for being so patient and excellent at lunch so Lovey could share her story! My "Happily Ever After" story!

COMMUNICATION

This weekend, Jimmy and I are keeping our two grandchildren while our children are out of town on a, what they told the kids, a honeymoon trip. Huston, our four year old grandson, asked his mom why he couldn't go on the honey trip with them. Isn't it cute how children repeat the things we tell them in ways that sound so different than its original explanation?

Huston is four and Emery is two, and the communication with the two of them can sometimes be challenging. Huston is fairly easy. But sometimes, when he gets to talking fast, the words are very difficult to understand. Emery, is still in that two year old stage when one has to listen VERY carefully to really understand what she is trying to communicate. Often, we look to Huston, whom we call our interpreter, to let us know what she is trying to say. Usually, we are out of luck.

Tonight, when putting the kids to bed, Huston was asleep before Emery. I heard Em's little cry and went in to see what she needed. At first, from her pointing and grunting, of sorts, I knew she wanted her "Baby Mozart" music on. No problem...I was pretty sure of that need. Then again, I heard her. This time, trying to interpret her need was much different. She was pointing toward a blank wall next to her pack and play, whining a little more and saying something impossible for me to understand. I asked a massive amount of questions...do you want your Dora and Boots dolls?, do you want your milk?, do you want the little doggies in the bag?...nothing I asked was what she wanted. I even let her out of the bed and asked her to show me what she wanted. She simply stood outside the pack and play and pointed to the wall. I was very confused. FINALLY, I noticed a plug on the wall. OHHHHHH! Do you want a night light? YES, she nodded! I had begun to feel like Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller's teacher!

Communication is so important, and yet can produce one of the most frustrating and even helpless feelings one can have. Think about it...here in the US, we expect people to speak English. When you come to the US...speak English. Very few of us are fluent in any other language. In other countries, if for no other reason than geography, people are fluent in several languages. Communication with others is often not as difficult as it is for US citizens.

Communication in a language is not even as frustrating as it is with young children, or people with handicaps, those that are deaf or hard of hearing, or those who are unable to speak. Communication is most frustrating when it comes between people who misunderstand each other due to personalities conflicts or communication that is hindered by physical restraints or communication with inappropriate input by an outsider.

Communication can hinder or hurt relationships, depending on how it is given or received. Communication is vital in our lives. So why do we not put as much importance and care in the way we communicate with those we love and care for that we do about business, business relationships, networking, etc.?

Our standard of communication should be that of the Lord Jesus and how He communicated with those he came in contact with. Not just with His disciples and His family. But how He communicated with those who followed Him and even those who persecuted and tried to kill Him. Last week in our lesson on John, Jesus responded to questions from Pilate with truth, reason, and even meekness. He is God. He could have said one world and Pilate would have fallen back as the soldiers did in the garden. But he didn't. He communicated exactly what God, His Father sent Him to communicate and in an way that was to be our standard of behavior in communicating with others.

I have to ask myself. When others mistreat me, do I respond in a way that communicates truth, reason, meekness? Considering meekness, to be a strength and not a weakness (anyone can be a bully and loose control or bully, but it takes the strength of self control to be meek), how am I perceived? These are questions I must answer honestly. My Lord will be asking these of me when I meet Him.

So today, I am thankful for the standard by which my Lord lays out in His Word, directing me and guiding me to communicate with others in my daily life. These two little munchkins are an awesome reminder, as I patiently struggle to communicate or understand what they try to communicate, to do so with truth, reason, kindness and meekness, the standard by which my Lord set before me.

So thanks Ems. I'm glad I finally found that night light for your tonight! No go to sleep!

BIRTHDAYS

Today is April 14th. A normal day by most standards. But today is a special day for some people. One of those people who consider this day special is a little boy (or should I say a big little boy) grown up. Yes...grown to be a real adult...in fact, heading to the seniors! He's always been considered a baby by some. Mostly because he is the baby of the family. He was a funny little boy. Bigger than his siblings when they were his age, cute as a button, funny as the dickens and very, very mischievous! Remembering back on events of their childhood brings much laughter and rolled eyes when commenting about some of the antics of this little boy.

There was one event when he and a brother were playing a game called "split." "Split" is where two opponents face each other with feet together. One holds a knife and throws the knife to the outside of one of the opponent's foot and the opponent must move that foot out to reach the distance of knife from where his foot previously lay. This action is repeated by the receiving opponent to the other. The action plays out until one of the opponents have stretched his feet and legs so wide, they are open to a split and he can't stand up. The one who falls first, looses. Well, you can imagine two young boys with a knife!!! Can you say EMERGENCY ROOM too often????? Yes, this little boy and his older brother were an accident ready to happen. I'm not sure which had the emergency room appointment, but you can be sure, but no one was surprised the little boy was involved.

Then there was the time when he and his siblings were lined up by their mom to receive a liquid dose of medicine for fighting outside and embarrassing her in front of the neighbors. The older four took theirs like champs (at least that is how they remember it). But the baby brother bolts out the door, down the street. Well, the siblings weren't going to let the little guy get away with that....so they chased after him, drug him home, forced him to the floor only to have his mom unsuccessfully try to force feed his dose of medicine down his throat. He was in hot water that night - by Mom, Dad and his siblings.

Yes, this little guy was a master of energy and talent. Adorable, mischievous, tough and a force to deal with. Sometimes too cute for his own good.

He's a big boy now. All grown up. In fact, today, that big little boy is approaching the senior adult stage. He's still bigger than his siblings, can arm wrestle any one of them and win. Still has that big smile and belly laugh. That twinkle in his eye is a dead give away of the mischief still in him. Yes, this little guy is my baby brother and today, is his birthday.

What a special day birthdays are. They are days we remember special people in our lives and the things about them we love. Days to remember people here and people who are no longer here. Days to remember the sweet memories of times past. Days that are a time to celebrate, a time to remember, a time to be thankful. Thankful for the memories, the laughter, the tears of joy, the tears of sadness even though what brought sadness may have grown the person in a special way. Thankful for joyful moments when we see them again after a long period, thankful for the privilege to watch them grow and leave, making lives of their own. Thankful for the memories of how much we loved them when they were still with us and now they are no longer here on earth.

So today, I am thankful for birthdays. One in particular...our Lords. I am thankful because I not only remember the reason he was born (sent by the Father to free me from sin so I may have everlasting life with Him), but a time to remember that He still dwells within me through His Holy Spirit, living inside me, counselling, guiding, comforting and loving me each day.

Yes, I am thankful for birthdays. And what a great day each day is. Because an old man once said..."Every day is some body's birthday!" What a great day today is! Happy Birthday Roggie!!!!!! Let's celebrate!

TENDER, LOVING CARE

Johnny Mercer's grave - Bonaventure Cemetery

One of my dear friends, Juju, is on a girl trip to Savannah. I love it when Juju goes on trips - (especially with me) but even when she goes with others. I have her e-mail, or in this case, Facebook me to tell me all she is doing and seeing along the way. She sends pictures along with descriptions of the various sights and foods she experiences. Juju takes great pictures. We scrapbook our trips together and she has begun, I believe to do a little digital stuff of her own.

Since she is in Savannah, she has posted, on my behalf (and others - I just like to think it is on my behalf because I BEG her to do so) pictures of some great looking historical sights in Savannah. Savannah is one of the old southern places with huge trees covered with hanging moss. It never stops amazing me how beautiful the south is. The lush foliage really appeals to me..

Today's picture posted was of Johnny Mercer's graveside in Bonaventure cemetery. As you can see from the picture above, it is stunning. The plants, trees and lush foliage is fantastic! I mentioned to Juju that it reminded me of the beautiful cemeteries in Europe where each grave sight was sectioned off, usually by a small cement border. Inside the border, families brought flowering plants and ferns, etc. to fill in over the grave. They were beautiful places for their loved ones, cared for, manicured, tended to and nurtured for one they lost. Each plot was different in its own unique way. Each with a different and unique headstone. I loved taking pictures of the cemeteries in Europe. They were tranquil, peaceful, beautiful, tender and one could tell, tenderly cared for.

It makes me think of the way our Lord cares for us. We are each individual to Him. Not just bunched in with others, but sectioned off, made seperate and special. He is so tender and nurturing. He tenderly prunes and fertilizes by guiding, comforting, teaching and providing. He receives great joy as we bloom and produce fruit. He must smile when we please Him as we grow the way He planned.

So today, I am thankful for the loving, tender care of my Lord. The times he must prune to make me grow more beautiful in His sight. The times He fertilizes to grow me, weed out the bad, help me grow anew and nourish me with His Word. Thank you Father for your tender, loving care.

And Juju, thanks for the beautiful, visual reminder. You are a sweet aroma to the Lord!

DO OVERS

On in One!
Ballet or Golf? Not sure about that stance and followthrough :(

Whip it! Whip it Good!

Jimmy, Clark, our friend Randy and I played San Antonio's new Marriott TPC golf course yesterday afternoon. It is a beautiful course. We played the canyon course, not the players course. The resort is getting ready for the upcoming Valero Players Championship and the players course will be closing soon. Many of the grandstands are going up and the course is in pristine condition. The canyons course is also in excellent condition. It is a long course (at least for this lady), and has much sand. However, it has nice wide fairways with a LOT less trees than our Oak Hills club.

When we started the day, or I should say afternoon (1:20), it was very damp and drizzly. I usually don't play in these conditions, but was wanting badly to play this new course. The drizzle cleared up but was still overcast the rest of the day. By the end of the day, it began to drizzle again. The course was very damp and I guess I can blame my score on wet fairways and greens.

I road on a cart with Clark and he kept my score. I decided that because I had been playing so badly at our home course lately, I wouldn't look at my score until after the round was over. Clark kept the score and I would ask him after the round. I started out with an 8 on the first two holes. No, that's not good. The lower one's score is, the better. I knew it would be a VERY long day if I kept up this kind of play. I progressed as the day went on, but wasn't about to look at my score. Now remember, 72 is scratch golf. That means if one scores a 72 for the entire round (1 holes), he/she has played the course in regulation/par/even.

Leaving the course after we were finished, I asked Clark to e-mail me my scores when he got home. I knew I did better on the back 9, but I had no idea what my score was. When I got Clark's e-mail, I was shocked. I made a 55 on the front 9 and a 44 on the back 9. A 44? Are you kidding me? I've never shot a 44 on our course! And it's 11 strokes less than the front 9!!! I'm in heaven! I just wanted to go back to the course and do over the front 9 to see if I could make a better score and bring down my 99 total score! But still...I am totally pumped!

You know, it really makes me think about do overs. I've been really frustrated with my game lately. Jimmy and I often play on a Sunday afternoon and decide not to keep score, but to simply play each shot and do over those that suck. Practice to see if we can make it or do it right like we should have the first time. That's what I call a do over. Sometimes I feel like that about things in life. I wish I could turn back the clock and do over something I wish I had done or said or responded to differently. Do you ever have those do over moments too? Those do over moments you regret the way you behaved or perhaps something you didn't do but wish you had? Yes, missed opportunities that we either handled wrong or missed all together.

You know, with God, we get do overs. We get second chances. We get to say we are sorry and are forgiven and it's never to be brought up again. With God, if we miss a chance, that chance is missed, but He can bring another. He is a God of second chances. We can mess up, but when we belong to Him, He is a God of many chances. He lets us do over when we mess up and repent.

I have to ask myself, what is that I need to do over today? Have I missed calling a friend for too long? Perhaps they are in need and today is just the right day. Is there someone I need to forgive that I have been holding back on? God expects us to do that immediately anyway. What is it God would have me do over that I keep messing up?

Today, I am thankful for do overs. The opportunities to do over things I have messed up on, prayers I have forgotten to pray for people, hugs I have neglected to give, "I love Yous" I have forgotten to say enough, acts of kindness I have completely missed opportunities to do, words of kindness I have failed to share. There are so many do overs. I'm thankful for second chances to do over things I can.

I think I will do over my closet today (Huston says it needs "fixing")

REMEMBERING

Mrs. Neva Bailey Ritter Cunningham

1932 - 2010

This week, I found out some sad news. The mother of an old friend passed away. I knew she had been sick. She had been in and out of the hospital three or four times in one month. Not so good. My friend came from Hawaii to be with her this last hospital visit. Few knew about her latest development because she didn't want to worry anyone. The last message I got from my friend was that her mom was doing better, getting out of ICU and hopefully going home soon.

Two days ago, I received an e-mail that her mom passed away. I began thinking about Mrs. Cunningham and trying to remember the things I knew about her. Donna and I had been friends all through high school. She was one of my Three Musketeer friends I have spoken about before. Mrs. Cunningham was Donna's mother, but had been divorced and remarried for many years. Donna lived with her dad and step mom, and I therefore was really more familiar with her step mom than I was Mrs. Cunningham. However, I did visit her mom many times with Donna and remember her always to be very sweet and kind to all Donna's friends. In seeing her picture in her obituary, it looks like Donna staring back at me in a few years. I didn't realize Mrs. Cunningham was so young. Though Donna, the oldest in her family and I the middle child in mine, Mrs. Cunningham is much younger than my mother. I was surprised. After reading her obituary, I didn't know she had been in real estate or had worked for the Moodye Williamson Agency - one my uncle Franklin Williamson worked with his brother Moodye in. There was so much I did not know about her. To me...she was Donna's mom. I guess to me, that was the most important roll or job she ever had.

As I think about Mrs. Cunningham, it reminds me that there are so many people we know, or run into or are even family members with that we know so little about when we get right down to it. In fact, when one of Jimmy's two cousins died, we were astounded at the honors and accolades he achieved in his lifespan in the music and arts world. It is that way with most all people. People in our own families...we often have no knowledge of what they achieved or how many lives they have touched. Is it because we don't take the time to stop and talk, or listen when we have such precious little time with them? Those times with Mrs. Cunningham, why did I not know she worked for a company my own uncle worked at? I was a teen, I was old enough to put two and two together.

Then, I think about my Lord. Though I know so little about so many I come in contact with or even am a relative to, He knows EVERYTHING! He knows where we have been, what we have done, how we feel, what we will do, how we will respond, how things will affect us, how He will comfort us, how He will guide us, how He will carry us through each difficulty and how He will be with us always. He knows EVERYTHING about us from before we were ever formed in our mother's womb. He knew Mrs. Cunningham and he knows me.

So today, I am thankful for the privilege of knowing sweet wonderful people God has placed in my life. The parents of my friends who loved me and were kind to me through those difficult years of school. Thankful for my sweet friends, not only those who stood beside me and did dance contest in gym class each day (aka Donna) but those today who keep me informed when others need our prayers in love (thank you John G). Thankful for those Bible study friends who remain constant and prayerful with and fore me through the years. Thankful for my siblings and cousins, my parents and children and mostly, my husband who supports me and knows me even better than I know myself sometimes. Yes, all those people God has placed in my life.

Today, I remember one of those precious people I am thankful for...I pray she will be waiting in heaven at the place God has prepared for me, and I will see her again one day. So it's not goodbye Mrs. Cunningham...I will see you again...save a place for me!

SPRING & PURGING

Mom on Easter Sunday 2009

Well, it's getting about that time of year again. Spring is in the air. Trees and plants are blooming. Pollen is floating in the air so bad that there is yellow dust all over cars and sidewalks and front porches. People are sneezing and coughing. Yet, everyone is so excited to be outdoors exercising, working in their yards, biking, strolling children, playing golf and tennis or just standing visiting with their neighbors in their front yard. Yes, there is a newness in the air that comes with each Spring season. A freshness that makes people feel excited, energized and want to do something different. It is as if people have been hibernating for a long time and are ready to break out into a new world!

Spring is also a time for many people to relocate. When I was working for a real estate company (in my early 20's), Spring was a busy season for real estate sales people. People would begin to "look" for that new place they wanted to buy - that change they wanted to make. Many times, it was the time their employer would relocate them - especially if they had families. Kids would soon be out of school - a perfect time to relocate before the new school year.

Yet with a move, comes much. Much planning, much organization, much purging of personal items, much labor, much anxiety of leaving behind family, friends, churches, neighborhoods, sports teams, weekly activities, etc. It's the anxiety of purging and leaving behind that sometimes outweighs the original excitement we get with the coming of Spring and the first rush we remember of the new we are about to experience.

My mom is thinking of leaving her home and moving to an independent living facility in Lufkin or here in San Antonio. We (meaning me and my siblings) are extremely excited for her. I believe she too, is excited. It will mean no more worrying about paying someone to care for her lawn and worrying why they haven't come to take care of it after much rain and it looking so bad to the neighbors. It means no more having to worry if the housekeeper will be there that day, no more having to find a "fix it" person to do minor repairs and pay half her monthly stipend to get it done. It means no more worrying if the vents in each room are closed or open to help save on air or heat in order to keep her electric bill from overtaking her income. No more of many, many worries the normal homeowner shares each and every day that weigh on our minds. She will now be able to socialize with friends, join in game days, outings, eat at white table cloth dining two times a day, and much more. Her time will be her own without the many worries of home upkeep.

Yet in the beginning, along with this new found freedom, there will be a price. Before it all begins, there is a cost. The cost is the purging. How hard it is for many of us to purge those things we all hold so dear. There are pictures, trinkets, gifts from our children, furniture, even things like marriage certificates, vaccination records, I even have my two dog's ashes (I know...but I had to put each to sleep after 15 years and I just couldn't put them in the ground!). And for many, the purging is great. My mom will have to purge much. She will even have to downsize her furniture, meaning she will have to leave it behind and buy new. Yes, it is fun for us to buy new furniture, buy new things for a new place to live. But many of us bring so much with us when we do, we are able to mix the trinkets and the pictures, the gifts, family heirlooms and etc. that when we get it all together, it looks like we have had it forever. With others who are having to purge so much, the difficulty is purging much and picking so little you are able to take and still making it feel like home. Moving from a three bedroom home to a one bedroom apartment will be a challenge. Purging will be tough.

It makes me think of Christ. He left His home in heaven to come as a child to earth. I think...life on earth was NOTHING like life in heaven. Talk about PURGING! He left a majestic, kingdom and came into a rotten, sinful world to live among men, only to take upon his white as snow, pure body, the repulsive sins of man and be placed in a dark tomb. However, He did return to His kingdom. He did return to that majestic place. It is beautiful and it is not purged of anything!

For believers, Christ has promised that He has prepared a place, a home, for us in His kingdom. A place where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sickness, no anger....pure majesty. It is a HOME where nothing is purged. We will have EVERYTHING we need, everything will be as it should and we will be overjoyed. It will always be as if it is Spring with even more excitement! However, we won't want to do or move or make a change as we do here on earth. We will already be changed into a new body, a new life, a new creation!

So today, I am thankful for Spring, purging of the old and putting on the new! You see, that is what our Lord did when He died for us and rose again in three days. That is what we celebrate at Easter. For believers, he paid for our sins and they are removed at the cross. He rose from the dead having victory over death, giving us a new life, in Him.

So celebrate Spring! Celebrate purging the old! Celebrate Easter all year round!

DADDY

Today is Good Friday. I was curious and wanted to know why today would be considered "good", since it was celebrated as the day our Lord Jesus was crucified. After looking it up on line... and we know EVERYTHING we find on line is ABSOLUTELY TRUE (yeaaaaaaah...), I have come to a somewhat conclusion that God's people always celebrated Friday as a holy/feast day. Since Friday marked the anniversary of Christ's death, it came to be called the Great or the Holy or the "Good Friday." It is also true, as Christians know, that unless our Lord Jesus died, God's purpose could not be fulfilled...meaning our redemption and salvation = eternal life. I would say that is Good!

Yes, this is a very good day. But to me...this Saturday is a day of mourning. The Saturday before Easter - the day Christians celebrate as Christ's resurrection day, is the day I mourn for the death of my dad. Though my dad actually died on March 26th (a Saturday), it was the Saturday before Easter. Therefore, I will always remember the Saturday before Easter as a day of mourning for me.

I loved my dad. He was a character. He had this huge smile, sparkling eyes, loved to tease, loved big band music, had false teeth he would take out at night (we used to tease him about it), he loved jump suites - you know...the kind old men think are soooo comfortable!!! (Elvis must have thought so too!), he wore one of those terrible pocket protectors that men wore in the 1950's (until the 1990's I think - YUK!), loved to bowl, and could be the life of a party. My dad would never offer advice unless you would ask him for it. But if you did ask him for advice and you didn't take it, and things didn't work out...you best not come back complaining...he would just ignore you and say you should have taken his advise. He never spoke ugly of others, LOVED Thanksgiving, was fair minded and would listen to your side of an opinion or request even if he didn't agree - before making a decision. He was content with his work, his home and what he had. He never wanted in excess, but had a contented heart. My dad was a man of his word. He was not perfect, had many flaws, but was loved by his family and loved his family even more.

On these Saturdays before Easter, I remember all these things about my dad. Emotions flow no matter how many years he has been gone. I don't go to the grave site...he's not there. I do know he's in my heart. But these Saturdays are a day of grief for me. An emotional time. Though I must say, even though they are emotional, they become sweeter as the years pass. Sweeter in the memories of things like when I was young and I was standing on his feet at my Uncle Raymond's house, dancing with him to some big band music playing on a record (that's how long ago it was - there were records!). Sweet in memories like the look of pride on his face as my mom came home one day and walked into our bedroom and discovered a new Singer sewing machine he bought her (she still has it). Sweet in memories like the day he walked me down the aisle to give me away to marry Jimmy. Sweet, sweet memories.

All this makes me think about the feelings and memories Mary, the mother of Jesus, the other Mary, and Jesus' friends must have been feeling the day after our Lord was crucified. They had just witnessed a horrific death of their most beloved. And Jesus had willingly given himself up to suffer this death - and for what --not only them, but the very ones who were crucifying him. What kind of feelings must they have been feeling that day and the day after? That next day, how devastated his loved ones must have felt and how they too must have been remembering all the wonderful things he said and did. They must have thought about the sparkle in his eyes, the compassion he had for the hungry (5000), the love he had for children (whom he called to himself), the tender heart for the young couple who ran out of wine at their wedding feast, the deep love for his friends like his buddy Lazarus and the sick who needed healing like the blind man and the leper. What an example of perfect obedience to His heavenly Father they had for such a short time.

We all mourn at some time at the loss of a loved one. Perhaps to death, or even a friendship or a pet, a job we love or a hometown or neighborhood we lived and raised our children in. Perhaps a church family we grew up in or raised our family in, worshiped all our lives in. We mourn having to leave an organization we been a part of for so many years that we've bonded with special friends. We all mourn losses at different times.

But though I mourn my dad, I CAN be thankful today. I am thankful for memories. Though we all have some memories that are not always pleasant, we have many that bring us great joy (even in our tears). Memories of our families, memories of our friends, memories of experiences that have surprised us, memories that confirm our Lords great care for us in certain circumstances, memories of our Lord's care for those we love, and memories of the promises our Lord makes to us. Though some circumstances we remember were tough, as we are thankful for God's provision, those memories too, become sweeter as time passes and even those memories can give us great joy, if for no other reason than it was by God's grace we made it through.

So today, I 'm thinking sweet, sweet memories of Daddy.