Technically, this post is a day late. Mom would have turned 60 yesterday, and we commemorated the day as a family in a variety of ways. Grant, Deborah, and the kids planted a tree near the water's edge at the cottage, near to the swing that Mom loved to sit in while reading. Dad, John, and I stopped by at the Wellness Community of Philadelphia (the cancer center) to see the bricks laid in Mom's memory. As we stooped under umbrellas, the rain coming down in sheets, I again thought of how unfair life can seem sometimes. Someone as vibrant as my mom should not be dead. Instead we should have been throwing her a party to celebrate a birthday milestone. Throughout the entire past year, I've received confirmation again and again that the Lord is taking care of our family and that Mom is enjoying the party of all parties in his presence, but even with that knowledge I miss her more every day.
I continue to think of you often, friends, and am glad that many of you are still very active parts of our lives, carrying on Mom's legacy in whatever way you choose.
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Sorry this post is so late, so much is going on here with the loss of my nephew. So many things I would have loved to talk to you mom about (and did anyway)...Always feel her presence and remember different things she taught me. I Love you Deb....
ReplyDeleteNadine, thank you for sharing with us how your family honored Deb's 60th birthday. Of course I thought of her.
ReplyDeleteMichael threw me a lovely surprise party for my 60th in April but it can't compare with, as you said, the "party of parties" your mom is experiencing continually in heaven.
When I hear Chris Rice's "Untitled Hymn" on the radio -- especially the last verse -- I think of Deb. With her final heartbeat, she kissed the world goodbye. She went in peace, and laughs on Glory's side. She flew to Jesus, flew to Jesus, flew to Jesus, and lives.
Untitled Hymn by Chris Rice
Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live!
Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live!
And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live!
Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live!
O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live!
And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!
Love,
Aunt B.J.