loose ends ...

In the weeks leading up to 12/21/12, there was “buzz” about the Mayan
calendar predicting the end of the world. People made jokes, people
planned parties, people thought about what they would do if it really
was their last day to live. People did what they could to tie up
their “loose ends” just in case tomorrow didn’t come . . . but it did.

According to the Bible, in Matthew 24:36 & Mark 13:32, “But about that
day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,
but only the Father.”

I was not fearful on December 21 because I didn’t believe the Mayan
predictions, but I also wasn’t fearful because whether December 21 or
any other day is my last day to live, I know where I am going! Even
though I rest in that knowledge, it made me stop and think, do I live
as if each breath could be my last? I know, that for me, the answer
to that question, sadly, is no, I do not live as if each moment could
be my last. How DIFFERENT would my life be, would all of our lives
be, if we lived each day as if it were December 20, and we KNEW that
it would all end on December 21? Would we be kinder? Would we give
more? Would we love more? Would the “unimportant” have any
importance (the messy kitchen, the undone laundry, the not taken out
garbage, the sharp word that wounded us years ago that we just can’t
forgive someone for, the unkind deed we did to someone, the pain we
inflicted upon others, or had inflicted upon us . . . )? Would we
make sure to give that hug, that smile, that word of encouragement?
Would we mend those relationships that need mending? Would we say
that “I’m sorry” that needs saying? Would we make sure that our
“loose ends” were tied up so we could leave this world in peace? More
importantly, would we make sure those “loose ends” were tied up so
when we stand before the Lord, we can hear Him say those beautiful
words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”? Would that not be much
better than having to first answer why I snapped at my girls about
dirty dishes, why I complained about the garbage not being taken to
the dumpster, why I was worried about if the living room floor was
vacuumed. More importantly, wouldn’t it be better than explaining why
I didn’t “love well”, why I held on to old hurts and let them build
walls of resentment, why I let the “unimportant” become important?
Why I had an unforgiving spirit, caring more to “lick my wounds” than
to “forgive and forget”?

I am KEENLY aware that life is fleeting, and that any moment can be
our last moment. I have lived the lyrics of the song that states, “We
are all just one phone call (or in our case, police visit) from our
knees”. I know that “about the day or hour no one knows”. I believe
that taken in context, that scripture refers to Jesus’ return,
however, I also believe that it is very true of each and every one of
our lives. No matter how much of a control freak we might be (and I’m
more than guilty of that “title”), when it is our “time to go, it is
our time to go” and over that, I will have to relinquish ALL control.
My life, EVERY SINGLE BREATH is out of my control. God controls my
destiny – not me – no matter how much I WANT to be in control . . .
nobody knows the day or the hour – that the Lord will return, OR that
He will call me (or any of us) home.

I’m SURE that when Rickey left home on the morning of November 5,
2011, he left home with EVERY INTENTION of returning home in a few
hours to continue on with our plans for the day, our plans for the
rest of the weekend, our plans for the rest of our lives – after all
hunting season was just 10 short days away – and that was always a
HIGHLIGHT of his year. I believe that he had every intention of
“coming home” that day, not ultimately “going home”. Yet, God’s story
for Rickey was that he would go to his “forever” home that day. As
Taya said, he woke up in PARADISE. Was he ready? Yes. Did he plan
to go, that day, that moment? I don’t think so. Were his loose ends
“tied up”? Pretty much. Had he known/had we known, would November 4
have been different? I’m sure. I will always be thankful that he
came to my side of the bed and kissed me on the cheek as he left the
house that morning. I will always be thankful that minutes before his
fall, we talked on the phone, ending the call with “Love you, bye”. I
will always be thankful that we had no “loose ends” in that area. We
didn’t have a silly unsettled argument hanging between us. The girls
had said goodnight, I love you, to Daddy the night before. Those
“loose ends” were taken care of. Are there other things that Rickey
would have done differently? I’m sure of it. He would have called
the big kids & grand babies. He would have called his Daddy & Mama
(but I’m so glad he had gone to their house for a visit just a few
nights before). He would have called his siblings, his friends . . .
many “would have’s” . . . but he didn’t know. We didn’t know. We
don’t know. The Mayans didn’t predict the end of the world any more
than any of us can predict then end of our lives.

Last week, as I was wheeled into surgery, I wasn’t fearful. I knew
without a doubt Who was in control. I knew that He controlled the day
ahead of me. I knew I would either wake up in the recovery room, or
in Paradise. Did I tie up all of my “loose ends” before surgery? No.
Maybe I should have. Thankfully, I was given more time to live and to
love and to learn to let the unimportant stay unimportant while
learning to focus on the important! Interestingly enough, as we
discussed “Advanced Directives” before surgery and I told Tessa that
she was my #2 person on the list – if Rick couldn’t be there to speak
for me – she would have to. She told me that if it came down to it,
she’d pull the plug . . . “Well, I wouldn’t actually “pull” it, but
I’d tell them to”! Which goes along with my wishes, but also lets me
know that my girls do have a firm grasp on the reality of life . . .
and death, and the certainty of what awaits us when death greets us.
As the song says, “No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the
power of Christ in me! From life's first cry, to final breath, Jesus
commands my destiny! No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever
pluck me from His hand! 'Till He returns, or calls me home, here in
the power of Christ I'll stand!” Death is fearful to those of us left
behind, but if the person who dies is a believer in Jesus Christ and
His FREE gift of salvation through His death on the cross, there is
absolutely no fear. We can know that Jesus commands our destiny and
no power of hell, no scheme of man will take us from His tender,
loving hand.

So, my challenge is to try to make each moment count. As we have
celebrated another CHRISTmas season and the birth of the REASON for
our hope for eternity and as we enter into yet another New Year . . .
let’s make each moment count – for eternity!

I recently read a devotional that reminded me to REMEMBER that God is
ALWAYS in control. In the good, in the bad, in the terrible . . . HE
IS THERE . . . He does control each and every moment of each and every
day. He controls the number of breaths we will take on this earth.
He, not the Mayans or Harold Camping or anyone else KNOWS the day and
the hour of Christ’s return just as we don’t know when we will take
our last breath here on earth. The devotional read, in part:

“When joy surrounds. When sorrow clobbers. When all's right in our
world. When the bottom drops out. When we feel loved and cherished.
When we feel abandoned and alone, let's remember... They (the saints
of old) remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was
their Redeemer. (Psalm 78:35) Dear Lord, Your love and Your grace
never fail. Please help me remember this today and always. Thank You.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.”

I know that I will never have all my “loose ends” tied up, but I will
strive to live each day to the fullest . . . living, laughing, loving
. . . enjoying the life and the blessings that, despite tragedy
striking, God has continued to bless me with. I will embrace when joy
surrounds, I will cling tightly when sorrow clobbers, I will praise
Him when all’s right in my world and I will continue to praise when
the bottom drops out. I will thank Him when I feel loved and
cherished and I will turn to him for comfort when I feel abandoned and
alone . . . for He is my Rock and my Redeemer and His love and grace
will NEVER fail me!

...insight...

Over the past {almost} 13 months, I’ve had the opportunity to talk

with lots of people . . .

I’ve been able to “live outside of” my own memories of November 5, and

to hear their memories of that day.  It’s been very insightful to me

to be able to have these conversations.

I think so often when we are thrust into the middle of any type of

“crisis” situation, it is so easy to reflect only upon ourselves and

the way we were affected, and we forget the broad reaching effect of

the “event”.

I’ve been able to talk to some of those people who are/were closest to

Rickey and me and to hear where they were, what they were doing, when

they got the news that Rickey had gone to Heaven . . . sometimes I

forget – I know “my” story so well, but Rickey touched so many, many

lives, that everyone who knew him has a story as to “how” they learned

of his accident.  It reminds me how much he was, and I am loved when

people share with me.

There are MANY of these stories I could share – from my Pastor’s wife

and my assistant Pastor’s wife.  From the family whose house Rickey

was at (and that’s an AMAZING story!) to the funeral director . . . and on and on . . . 

so many stories that though difficult to hear and share, each one healing

in its own way.

One of the families who has endured the pain with me is my best

friend, Donna’s family.  Not only has Donna walked the road of

grieving with me, but she has walked it with her husband, Jim as well.

 Rickey and Jim worked together – for over 10 years.  They were like

brothers.  They often spent more time with each other than they did

with us (Donna & myself!).  They worked, they talked hunting, they

talked life, they played cards, they laughed . . . they were GOOD

friends!  So when Rickey died, Donna grieved, and Donna supported not

only me, but also Jim . . . she is the sister I never had.  This past

Sunday, Donna & I went on the annual “Ladies Shopping Trip” with our

church.  As we took the exit ramp for our first stop, she said “Here

is my PTSD spot”. . . . She then recalled to me, the moment she took

the phone call about Rickey’s accident, as she and another friend were

headed for a fun day of shopping, that instead ended up in the

hospital E.R.  Memories both of us wish we didn’t have – yet a chance

to talk – lovingly about Rickey.  And about Heaven.  And about how

awesome it must be to be there.  About how God IS in control – ALL THE

TIME, even when it doesn’t seem like it to us.

I’m reading again through my “Jesus Calling” devotional.  The one my

sweet sister-in-law gave me last year – right after Rickey died.  It’s

different reading the daily devotionals this year than it was last

year.  When I read them this year, I am reminded of where my

“strength” last year came from!  Here are “excerpts” from some of the

readings over the past weeks and my thoughts as I re-read them this

year:

“Thankfulness takes the sting out of adversity.  That is why I have

instructed you to give thanks for everything . . . there is an element

of mystery in this transaction:  You give Me thanks (regardless of

your feelings), and I give you Joy (regardless of your circumstances)

. . this is a spiritual act of obedience – at times, blind obedience.”

Give thanks in EVERYTHING . . . that was commanded to me.  Not to

understand everything.  Not to like everything.  But, to give thanks .

. . in EVERYTHING . . . so each day, I determined to find the things

that I was thankful for.  And, in doing so, some of the sting was

taken out of this adversity.  As time moved forward, there were more

things and new things to be thankful for each day!  I CHOSE to give

thanks – REGARDLESS of my feelings, and God did give JOY – REGARDLESS

of circumstance – and trust me, it WAS blind obedience – especially

those first few months!  And in that obedience, God restored me –

daily – and brought new blessings to my life!

“A thankful mind-set does not entail a denial of reality with its

plethora of problems. Instead, it rejoices in Me, your Savior in the

midst of trials and tribulations . . . I am your refuge and strength,

an ever-present and well-proved help in trouble.”

I like this one – even more as I re-read it this year.  It is an

acknowledgement that there are problems we will face – a PLETHORA of

them, but to CHOOSE to rejoice in our Lord & Savior in the MIDST of

them provides us with our refuge and strength. HE will be (is, most

definitely) our ever present help in trouble!

“Come to Me, and rest in My Peace.  My Face is shining upon you, in

rays of Peace transcending understanding . . . as you lean on me in

trusting dependence, you feel peaceful and complete.”

I know that I often over the past year + have used the phrase “peace

that passes understanding” and I know that it is in part because early

on, I read this devotional.  Again, I chose to draw near (come) to the

Lord, to rest in His peace.  And I did find a peace that transcended

understanding.  And, I find it much easier now, to “fall back” on that

ability to lean on Him, waiting for that PEACE that only he can offer!

“You must remember that you reside in a fallen world, where blessings

and sorrows intermingle freely . . . how precious are My children who

remember to thank Me at all times . . . they can walk through the

darkest days with Joy in their hearts because they know that the Light

of My Presence is still shining on them.”

Oh, this one spoke to me as I re-read it this year . . . you reside in

a fallen world – where blessings and sorrows intermingle freely . . .

sometimes at the same time.  I know that in times of deepest sorrow

and grief many people turn from God or question God.  Again, I’m

thankful for all of the prayer warriors who I know were standing in

the gap for me and praying for me, giving me the strength to trust in

God fully.  To thank Him AT ALL TIMES.  I was able to walk through the

darkest of dark days and still have a measure of joy in my heart.  My

heart was broken, my life and dreams shattered in a single moment,

yet, I never took my eyes off of the one who “gives and takes away” .

. . “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the

Lord be praised” Job 1:21.  Again, I see no call for me to understand,

or even like what has been “taken” from me, but that the name of the

Lord is STILL to be praised – in ALL things.  Not an easy task, yet

infinitely rewarding if the command is heeded.

“Remember that you are en route to Heaven, and let your problems fade

in the Light of eternity.”

This one is a “biggie”.  I am just a visitor here on earth.  My time

on earth is short.  Even if I life to be 100, my time on earth is

short.  Any problems that existed in Rickey’s life on November 5, any

worries about health or wealth, relationships or anything, faded

INSTANTLY in the Light of Eternity – as will mine, as will yours.  Any

problems that we face here on earth are fleeting.  Our response to the

trials that come our way truly can “make us or break us”.  I’m so

thankful that I had the prayers of God’s people, the love of friends

and family, the knowledge the Rickey left this earth fully loving all

of us, and fully ready to meet the Lord for eternity.  I’m thankful

that I was able to trust God fully in the midst of, despite, the

nightmare that became my reality on November 5, 2011.  I’m thankful

that He is a God of restoration – that in Him, my earthly problems

WILL fade in the Light of eternity.

As I reflect, and remember these days last year, my heart is filled

with wonder.  What a “terrible” time of year to have to grieve . . .

Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, “New” Year’s . . . . yet, what a

wonderful time of the year to grieve – Holidays that give hope . . .

hope of HOME.  Birthdays – the reminder that God has seen us through

another year of our life – and the reminder to make each year, each

month, each week, each day, count for ETERNITY!  Thanksgiving – a time

to remember ALL that we still have to be thankful for – primarily the

promise of our eternal home in Heaven where we WILL be reunited with

Rickey some day.  Christmas – the time when we remember the greatest

gift ever given – the reason for the hope of that eternal home in

Heaven.  New Year’s – a time to reflect on the past – good and bad –

and to look with hope and expectation for what the Lord has in store

for us in the coming year.  Knowing that HE has been with us every

step of the way – and He’s not going to leave us now!

Last  year, Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s were quite

empty.  I remember VERY WELL feeling “deserted” on New Year’s because

the girls went to a Youth Group party and I was home ALL ALONE.

Having a pity party that nobody had “remembered” me.  I was angry at

everyone – their lives had moved forward and mine seemed to be

standing still, and I felt like I was standing still – all alone.

Now, I KNOW that is not true, and I know that I was in the midst of a

full blown pity-party at that moment, but it was hard to see the good

in anything at that time!

If only . . . . If only I could have “seen into the future” . . .

well, not really, I wouldn’t really want to be able to do that, but my

thoughts behind that statement are that “if only” I could have seen

what God had in store for me in 2012 . . . .  If only I could have

seen where He was leading me in the year to come – the blessings He

had in store for me!

“If only” I had known . . . . THEN, I could have then rested quietly

on New Year’s Eve – even as I sat home alone.  I could have sat

quietly in HIS presence.  But, in reality, I SHOULD have rested

quietly.  I SHOULD have sat quietly.  I SHOULD have trusted that His

ways are higher, and mightier than mine.  I SHOULD have been resting

in that “Peace that passes understanding”.  Someday, I’ll learn.  But,

it will never be perfect.  I will always want to have “control”.  I’ll

always want to “know” what’s in store.  I’ll always want to know

“why”.  Until I arrive in Heaven, I’ll never fully arrive!  I’ll still

have those struggles – but with God’s help, they will become less of a

ruling force in my life!

My “If only’s” turned into much more than I would have ever imagined –

so even if I’d been told on New Year’s Eve 2011 what 2012 held for me,

I’d have not believed it.  I would not believed that God would

continue His restoration in my life.  I would not have believed that

He would allow the girls and me to make not one but 2 trips to visit

family down south.  I’d have not believed that I’d leave the job I

thought I loved and TOTALLY step out in faith in taking a job with

less hours/less benefits/less pay (to read about that click HERE).

I’d have not believed that He would bring someone new into my life.

Someone who loves me unconditionally.  Someone who reminds me DAILY of

WHAT is important.  Someone who cherishes with me, the memory of

Rickey (from the stories I tell, the pictures I share, the reflections

of Daddy in the girls).  Someone who is not afraid to keep me in line

when I start to make the unimportant important.   Someone who loves

the girls and treasures who they are – who they were shaped to be by

the influence and loving guidance of their Daddy.  Someone who loves

God and desires to serve Him alongside me . . . . Someone who I

believe God gave to me . . . because He {God} loves me THAT much!

We had a “whirlwind courtship” which shocked/surprised many people

(including, I believe ourselves), yet, daily, I am reminded of the

reasons Rick is in my life.  

I’ve heard the “good, the bad and the

ugly” from people.  I’ve written and re-written some thoughts here,

and deleted all of them – regarding the “bad and the ugly” . . . I

will instead focus on the “good”.  I’m not trying to “sugar coat”

things by not “focusing” on the “bad or the ugly”, I’m just, again,

CHOOSING to “remember that you reside in a fallen world, where

blessings and sorrows intermingle freely “ in this case, “blessings”

being the love that God has blessed me with through Rick and the

support of friends & family and the “sorrows” being those who have not

extended their support, love and understanding.  I will strive to

understand that they have their reasons, and that even in these

situations, the Lord is in control.   The well wishes and love that we

have received from most - the “blessings” far outweigh the negative -

the “sorrows”.  So, I will CHOOSE to focus on the “good” that we are

blessed with each and every day.

To “copy” the thoughts of another “widow” friend I have, I NEVER

wanted for my kids to have a step-parent (divorce was not an option in

my marriage).  I NEVER wanted for my kids and I to have different last

names . . . there are so many “I NEVER’s” that I could go on and on,

but I think you get the picture.  I also NEVER dreamed that November

5th’s nightmare would become my reality.  I NEVER dreamed that I would

be a widow at 45 years old.  I NEVER dreamed that God would bring

someone else into my life.  

. . . . Do you notice a “theme” here? 

“I” NEVER.   Hhmmm . . . . but, it’s not all about “me” is it?  It’s about

God.  It’s about God and His plan for my life.  A plan I don’t always

understand.  A story He has written for me.   His plan, His story, His

will, His way.  A plan that I have to CHOOSE to trust.  A story that I

have to believe He has control of.  Circumstances that only He knows.

A life to live – according to His plan, because, I have read the end

of the book.  I do know the end of the story.  And until that end

comes to my story, until the last chapter is finished, and I cross

over to eternity in Heaven, I will continue to live and laugh and

love.  I will always love Rickey and honor his memory, he will always be

a part of who I am.  I will also always be thankful that God has given

me love again.  I will be thankful that I know that I can trust Him

for all of my tomorrows – however many of them there may be.  I will

be thankful . . . in all things and in spite of all things.  I will be

thankful for the “insight” that I have gained through my life

experiences.  I will continue to pray that God will use me through

these experiences to bless others.

“My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways My ways.  As

the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways and thoughts

higher than yours . . . “  Isaiah 55:8-9 ~ Jesus Calling

“You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is

fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”  

Psalm 16:11

... being thankful ...

Today is Thanksgiving and there is SO MUCH to be thankful for . . . . 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Today, I am thankful for the blessings that God has given me as I have followed him through this year.  I have learned so much to lean on Him, to lean into Him and to trust him in ALL things!  

I wrote this blog post a couple of days ago, and didn't get the chance to add pictures and post it, so am getting to it now . . .  

November 18 . . . my Birthday . . . I’ve always liked Birthdays . . .

mine or anyone else’s!  I like to make a big deal out of them, and

celebrate the person who is having a birthday!  Last year, November 18

came just 13 days after Rickey went to Heaven.  Sigh.  Not much reason

to celebrate, for sure.  Yet, we still did celebrate some.  I was

spoiled by my family, my friends & my co-workers.  It was a day that I

will not forget.  In the midst of the most intense grief I could

imagine, God sent many angels to minister to and to love on me that

day.  I will NEVER forget when a bouquet of flowers arrived at work

and I opened the card that read, “Love, Bud” . . . (our name for each

other).  For a moment I was speechless (quite a feat for me).  I

actually looked at the card and put it back in the envelope.  I then

took it back out and looked at it again, and then at Tessa who was

standing near me.  I showed it to her and she smiled and told me

“That’s why we had to go for ice-cream” (the florist is on the way to

the ice cream parlor).  My sweet kids had sent me flowers from Daddy –

one last  time – a gift I will cherish forever! 

 A few days after my

birthday was the ride to Green Bay with my brother in law to pick up

my sister in law from the airport – and the Lambeau Field Christmas

Tree Lighting (which we missed . . . but that’s another story for

another day!), and a fun meal at Margarita’s!  

Good memories mixed in

with the bad – very bittersweet.

This year, November 18 came with a little less fan-fare.  It was a

Sunday, and we planned on having the Northland University students

over for lunch.  Because of this, we did pizza the night before with

my mom and dad and had cake later with the granddaughters (who both

celebrate November Birthdays as well!).  Sunday dawned sunny and

beautiful!  A wonderful day for a birthday!  The day was quiet (if you

count 9 college age kids, an almost 7 year old, an almost 5 year old,

my 3 girls and a friend  as quiet!) but wonderful!  Besides the crowd

at lunch (which also included my mom & dad!) the day was spent with my

girls who mean the WORLD to me, Cody (family friend),  two precious

granddaughters and Rick.  Later in the afternoon, two of Rick’s boys

came and visited too, making my day complete!   God sent angels again

this year, God provided a wonderful day – a good end to what most

certainly started as a bad year.  And another “first” was behind me –

I had spent my first “year” (my 45th) without Rickey.

As the day came to an end and we all headed to bed, the phone rang.

It was only 9:22, but Rick looked at me and said, “That can’t be

good”, and I thought to myself, it’s not even 9:30, it’s not that

late.  I answered the phone to be HIT with words oh, too familiar,

“Please pray, right now, there’s been an accident”.  In this case, all

ended up to be o.k., but, let me tell you, fear grips me at those

words.  I remember ever so clearly speaking those words over, and over

and over on that long, but short ride to the E.R. last November 5.

“Please pray, right now, there’s been accident, we don’t know much

more. “ Amazing how quickly you can be put back right to the MOMENT

that your life changed in an instant.  The call came from our awesome

friends who had actually gotten the SAME call from us.  The same

friends who graciously met up with the group that Kajsa was with on

November 5, and drove her back to us.  Back to the hospital.  Those

friends who stayed close by our side throughout November 5th, 6th and

beyond last year.  This time it was their brother/son.  He’d been in a

car accident.  He was being taken to their local trauma center.  They

didn’t know more.  “Please pray!”  Oh, the agonizing minutes of

waiting until we heard that he was alive, he was breathing on his own,

it appeared he would be o.k.  Moments that we all knew too well.

Moments that had been our own nightmare just a short year ago.

Moments with a different outcome than ours, for which we are so

thankful!  As his Momma put on Facebook, “Thanksgiving came early”.

Oh, my, yes it did.  There will be days of healing ahead.  There will

be car insurance and hospital insurance to deal with.  There may be

some lingering effects of the accident, and memories of it will always

be there, but he is o.k.!  He is alive!  And, we are all thankful for

this ending to this “Please pray” phone call.

A couple of things come to mind as I think over the events of Sunday night:

1.      Do I think that the prayers prayed on Sunday night were answered,

and ours last November 5 weren't?  NO!  That is not what I believe at

all.  I did and still do believe that our days are in the Lord’s

hands.  God did not hear the prayers of His people any less on the day

of Rickey’s accident than they did Sunday night.  He had just ordained

a different outcome.  Rickey is more alive than ever today – it’s just

in Heaven not here on earth.  The Lord called him home.  I really do

believe it is as “simple” as that.  Not the answer to prayer I’d have

chosen, yet, God’s answer in God’s time.

2.      Life can, and does, change in an instant.  We really are all just

“one phone call from our knees”.  We can’t know.  We don’t know.  We

can only see as far as the moment we are in.  We can make all the

plans in the world.  We can have all the dreams we want.  Plans are

good.  Dreams are wonderful.  BUT, we are only promised THIS BREATH.

THIS MOMENT.  What will we do with it?  Just this week, I’ve also

learned of 2 people who I know who died unexpectedly.  One was the

sister of a classmate (50 years old), and one was a young man (mid

20’s) from our town – both gone – too soon for earthly standards, but

gone – in an instant . . . a life changing instant.

As we head into Thanksgiving, I’m challenged anew to remember that

life is just a fleeting breath – for me, for those I love, for

everyone.  I want to make the most of each moment.  I want to love

while there is time.  I want to, especially when it is the focus at

this time of the year, be THANKFUL for all that God has blessed me

with.  He has “taken” from me more than I ever dreamed He would

“take”.  I don’t understand, and won’t this side of Heaven.  He has

also “given” me more than I ever dreamed he would “give”.   He has

offered healing and restoration that I didn't expect.  He has blessed

me beyond measure!  Daily I’m reminded of the blessings that He sends

my way.  I truly have so much to be thankful for, and really, don’t we

all?

Don’t wait for the unimaginable to happen.  Don’t wait until you

experience the fragility of life to LOVE those you have been given.

LOVE them TODAY.  THANK God for them TODAY.  ENJOY them today . . .

even when the house is a mess, the dishes aren’t done and the laundry

is piled up in mountains in the laundry room (some of my “battles” for

control!) . . . Love today, enjoy today, be thankful today . . .

because we learned again this week that tomorrow may not come.

Waking up in PARADISE ...

... November 5 (and Saturday the 3rd, and the 8th {funeral day}) have come and gone.  With little fanfare from most of the world.  To most, they are just dates, to us, the dates our world changed.

Thanks to the PRAYERS of so many friends & family, the visits, the cards, notes, e-mails, text messages, Facebook messages . . . we made it through those most difficult days.  We spent some of the weekend with Ashley & Brian & Ty - going to the movies and then a "girls lunch" (+Ty!!).  There were memories, tears, and yes, even laughter.  God is gracious and He gave us much grace this past week as the memories flooded back . . . speaking of memoires . . . 

Yesterday was November 9, 2012 . . . . My mind kept going back to
November 9, 2011 . . . it was a cold morning.  There was some
snow/sleet/rain falling from the gray overhanging clouds.  A dreary
day to be sure.  A day that the hunters would have loved – there was
just a bit of “tracking snow” on the ground – enough that tracking
that buck would be made easier.  A day that Rickey would have loved to
be out in his stand – waiting for that next hunting story to happen.
Instead, many of us who loved him were gathered around a hole in the
ground, awaiting the arrival of that wooden box that held the remains
of his earthly body.  I was cold, so cold.  I went to the cemetery
alone – the girls didn’t want to go, and I just couldn’t make them.
Others had offered me rides, but this was something I had to do on my
own (yes, I'm just a BIT stubborn).  I needed to be able to arrive and
leave when I needed to – not on somebody else’s time table.   When I
arrived, I saw my boss and my co-worker (who is also one of my dearest
friends).  They were standing with umbrellas – out in the cold – for
Rickey, for me.  I know many other people were there, but theirs were
the first eyes that made contact with mine, so I went to them.  They
moved slightly and made room for me - in between them – both covering
me with their umbrellas.  As if the umbrellas could shield me from the
pain that was engulfing me.  They DID shield me from the wet
snow/sleet/rain that was falling and I appreciated that as I stood
there shivering in the cold.  I grabbed on to each of their arms, and
held on – they were my life preservers at the moment.  My boss was
wearing a corduroy jacket; I can still feel it in my hand as I clung
to it.  Even today as I remember, even today as I type these words,
the feelings come flooding back to me as if it were this morning that
they happened, not a year ago.  Watching Rickey’s brothers and cousins
bring that wooden box across the snow covered lawn, and set it in
place – its “final resting place”.  I was very confident in the fact
that Rickey was not in that box.  The outer shell of his earthly body
was all that remained in there, but still, it was the last bit of him
left and soon, it would be “gone” too . . . I had once heard someone
compare our earthly bodies to a glove – the glove is the outer shell,
but when the hand is removed, the glove does nothing . . . much as our
body – the “outer shell” remains, but the “hand” or the spirit/soul is
gone, and the body is just that, a “shell”.  I knew with certainty
that all that was left on earth was the shell of Rickey.  I had the
calm assurance that at about 11:00 a.m. on November 5, he had left
this earth for paradise.  That still does not make watching them lower
the casket into the ground something that is easy.

Memories . . . yes, time does ease the sting, but they are still there
– flooding back more some days than others . . . .  memories that can
still can make my heart skip a beat.

Reality . . . . yes, the reality that life IS precious and not one of
us are promised our next breath.  I think that is one of the “lessons”
that I have been slowly learning throughout this year.  The reality
that we need to savor each and every moment that comes to us . . . the
good, the bad and all the “normal” moments that make up our lives.
For one day, those normal moments will be what our memories are made
of.  Life is filled with much more normal than it is with the grand –
either good or bad – but we take those normal moments for granted – we
assume they are normal and therefore will be repeated.   I know that I
took my normal days for granted.  I know that I thought life was good,
and life would continue to be good.    The sun would rise and set, and
I’d go on my way with each day, happy, healthy kids, happy, healthy
husband, happy, healthy me.  I really didn’t give much thought to the
fact that life could change so instantly.  Now, I know it can.  I’ve
been given an up close and personal lesson of that fact.

As this first year of “Our Journey To A New Normal” has drawn to a
close {meaning that we have survived the first Birthdays, Christmas,
Easter, Valentine’s Day, Anniversary . . . and all those yearly
“milestones”} there is a sense of unbelief that an entire year has
passed.  We did survive all of the “firsts”.  God was with us every
step of the way, and He went before us to prepare the path that we
were required to walk.  None of this year’s journey has come as a
surprise to God - not ONE moment of it.  Much of it may have surprised
us, causing us to walk by faith, not by sight.  I still don’t
understand why we were called to walk this journey.  I don’t
understand why I had to find out what it meant to be a “widow” at only
44 years old (I turned 45 thirteen days after Rickey died).  I don’t
know why my girls and Rickey’s 2 older kids have to go on through life
without their Daddy here to guide them.  I don’t know why the
grandkids have to miss out on having their Papa.  I don’t get it that
Rickey’s parents had to bury a child (no parent should ever have to do
that).  I don’t know why his siblings & sibling-in-laws & all of his
extended family & friends have to feel the sting of death.  It isn’t
fair.  Not at all by our earthly standards.   Yet I will cling to the
hope of eternity and the promise that God does not ever leave us or
forsake us.  I will also cling to the words my precious “middle”
daughter penned on the anniversary of her Daddy’s “home-going”:

“Daddy, I miss you!  From the not so great Easter pictures (and she
posted one of them!) the gum stealing, the Packer loving, and
everything in between.  But November 5th last year, for reasons I
don’t know, you positively woke in paradise.  A place I can’t even
dream of!  You are home.  More at home than ever.  The pain of the
people you left here is real, but what’s even more real is the joy you
have being with your Maker.  I miss you.  Everyday.  “But someday soon
we’ll be together, where a moment lasts forever..”  Love you!”

Isaiah 11:6 says, “and a little child will lead them” . . . I could
not have penned a more fitting tribute to Rickey Roger Rye than his
middle daughter did.  Yes, we miss him.  We miss all the fun loving
things that we did with him.  The good and the bad and ALL the
“normal” moments in between.  We miss them all.  But, oh, what a
beautiful picture she painted (I LOVE word pictures) . . . You
POSITIVELY woke in PARADISE, a place we can’t even dream of!  You are
HOME . . . more at home than ever . . . what is MORE real than our
pain is that Daddy is experiencing REAL JOY because he is with his
Maker!  THAT is our hope.  THAT is what we stake our claim on.  THAT
is why when I remember November 9, and that wooden box being lowered
into the ground, I remember it with sadness, and an aching heart, BUT
I also remember it with HOPE . . . the HOPE we have in those promises
that Taya so beautifully spoke of.  The truth that God took her Daddy
“home” . . . more “home” than he’d ever been.  We KNOW that he was
ready, and as our first year without him came to an end, we grieved
for our loss, but also rejoiced for his gain.  Philippians 1:21 says,
"For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain."  For in that blink
of an eye on November 5, 2011, Rickey certainly DID gain . . . he
awoke in PARADISE!