On Wednesday, we got more sleet than snow but it was enough to shut down local schools and some businesses making the road conditions too difficult to travel....
Daddy and his girl :)
As John is in the midst of job interviews now, we don't know where the Lord will lead us to live next year. But for now, we are loving living in the snow!!!
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The morning after the blizzard came and went, I recieved news that one of my dear friends had lost her only brother the day before. In the midst of shoveling snow, he had a massive heart attack and passed away. The pictures I posted were taken right after I returned from his memorial service at our church where many who loved him and his dear family were gathered to honor his life.
One of the moments that will be etched in my heart forever, was when his mother stood up and shared with those gathered, about her relationship with her son. She told a story of how just a few years ago, she had given Greg the book, "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch for Christmas. In this book, a mother sings to her child the following phrase...
I'll love you forever...I'll like you for always...As long as I'm living my baby you'll be.
She sings this to him throughout all the phases of his life, holding him no matter how old he was. At the end of the story, the mother is too old to hold her grown son any longer, so the son drives to his mom's house, holds her and sings her the same phrase.
I sat at Greg's memorial service with tears streaming down my face as his mother described her shock in losing her 39 year old son so soon. She was hoping to get to the end of the story...to grow old and have her son care for her like the boy did for his mother in the book. I mourned with her as I tried to imagine being in her shoes, and saying goodbye to one of my sons way before it seemed time.
I cannot imagine a more beautiful way to honor the life of one who has passed than to let their life change the way you live yours. I never had the honor of meeting Greg, but I am blessed to know his family. They have been used by God in powerful ways in the lives of those they know and call friends. Though I never met Greg, I've been blessed by his life through his family and through the memories of him shared at his memorial. He lived life to the fullest, loved roller coasters and gave generously when he saw need.
God has reminded me how precious EVERY moment is...to NEVER take one day with my children for granted and to give GENEROUSLY out of what God has given me...
All of this, I learned because my friend lost a brother I never met. What a blessing it is to picture him dancing now with Jesus and getting a much bigger thrill from being with His maker now, than any roller coster he rode here on earth!
Thank you Lord, for the life you gave Greg and for the way so many are drawn toward you in his memory...Continue to comfort those who mourn...
Thank you so much, that deeply touched my soul-Nicole