In Tribute

-
Dear Cheryl,

I can't believe it.  Are you really gone?  How could you do that?  We need you here. Jason and Braxton need you here.  God, it isn't fair.  You are so young and so full of life.  My heart has a huge ache in it right in the spot where our friendship lived and I already miss you so much.

Only 8 years ago, I moved down to Marshfield and you and I hung out together.  I remember times in my apartment, visiting my friend Joy, going to Wausau shopping together.  Then when you and Jay got married and Dave started working for Burkey's we did even more together: camping, campfires, out to eat, hanging out at each other's homes.  I remember catching that first glimpse of Braxton and he was so cute and it was so amazing to see you become a mom.

You were there for us when Nicole was born, coming to visit us on the awful snowy day, bringing us coffees.  I remember that you asked the second time to hold Nicole and that blessed this sad mommy's heart who was so glad to see my friends able to love on and hold my dear little angel.  You listened to me as I talked through my grief.

And then you came to see us when Amber was born and we talked about how fun it was going to be to have our babies so close together in age and you were so excited about your little baby boy.  

You were so full of life and energy.  You loved your men and took such good care of them.  You were such a good mom and wife and it was so fun to compare decorating ideas with ytou.

And now you are gone.  And my mind can't comprehend this.  I got out my outfit that you gave Amber and wore it on her today and I will wear it as often as I can until she outgrows it.  I had to go look and see what you gave me at the Bethany baby shower so I would know what I wanted to hang on to and treasure.

I told Dave last night, I can picture you scooping up Nicole and hugging her and talking to her and then when Bentley came to join you, I can only imagine your delight in seeing your little newborn son. But my mind says, "God, you have enough people in heaven. We still wanted Cheryl here with us."  But I have to remember that God does know best and I will try to trust Him to take care of Braxton and Jason for you.

Cheryl, you will be missed, but I am looking forward to the day when we can see you again. Until then, I will keep walking the path for God and trusting Him to guide us through this grief maze and I will pray that God will keep Jason and Braxton in His arms and hold them close and bring them comfort.




This is not a great picture, but it's the last one I have of you.

Braxton










Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fragrant Whiffs of Joy by Dorcas Smucker (It's Giveaway time)

-
Image
Ah yes, this was just what the doctor ordered. I've wanted to review Dorcas' last book or two and was always too chicken to ask, but this time I threw caution to the wind and said, "Yes, I want to review your book." And I'm so glad I did. It was the perfect book for this stage in my life. Short, easy to read chapters that can be picked up and read whenever and wherever. They are guaranteed to either make you laugh, smile, cry, or or just give you that ah-ha feeling that someone else experiences life like that too.  I could quote from pretty much every chapter something that struck me in one of those ways, but I really want you to go buy the book so I won't do that many spoilers. I only want to give you a hint of what is to come in the book. First off, isn't the cover beautiful? I can dream of a kitchen table like that with the apple pie still steaming and the tea pot, or coffee pot more likely, full to the brim and a beautiful arrangement of flowers
Read more

PRECIOUS CHILD

-
In my dreams, you are alive and well Precious child, precious child In my mind, I see you clear as a bell Precious child, precious child In my soul, there is a hole That can never be filled But in my heart, there is hope 'Cause you are with me still In my heart, you live on Always there never gone Precious child, you left too soon Tho' it may be true that we're apart You will live forever... in my heart In my plans, I was the first to leave Precious child, precious child But in this world, I was left here to grieve Precious child, my precious child In my soul, there is a hole That can never be  filled But in my heart there is hope And you are with me still In my heart you live on Always there, never gone Precious child, you left too soon,  Tho' it may be true that we're apart You will live forever... in my heart God knows I want to hold you,  See you, touch you And maybe there's a heaven And someday I will again Please know yo
Read more

With Every Memory by Janine Rosche

-
Image
  The story opens with Lori returning home after a year in rehab following a car accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury and missing memories. She works hard to regain her former life, but as her memories return, things seem confusing and hard. What happened in those years she is missing in her memory? I'm not going to say more about the story; I don't want to give anything away, but you start to wonder pretty early on in the book, what actually happened. The story flips back and forth between Lori and her daughter, Avery.  This is a story of redemption, hope and healing. It is a story of grief and loss, a bit of rebellion, but a lot of love too. It's a story about faithfulness in the midst of unfaithfulness. All in all, it's a good book, and one that had me turning the pages as fast as I could to find out how everything came together in the end.  I really enjoyed this book and would be interested in reading more by Janine in the future. I received this boo
Read more