Ecclesiastes, chapter 3: To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die... ....A time to break down, and a time to build up, A time to weep, and a time to laugh, A time to mourn, and a time to dance....
Jacky, Feelings are a choice if we have the holy spirit abiding within us, and we chose to laugh and be merry and enjoy this holiday just the same as we always have. When we choose to allow God to work that perfect peace within us, then there is no going back to sadness, any and all sense of guilt are erased, the why's can be put on the back'burner, because eventually we'll get our answers...
We chose to not let Satan destroy our holiday, and son, it was a good one! You were a part of it, as I susupect that you very well know, and thanks to you we are creating more Christmas traditions (ALL holiday traditions) for your sake, to keep your memory alive amongst the younger babes. You will forever continue to spend the holidays with us in heart, and presence of spirit! And we honestly felt your presence, or at least (((I))) did!
The kids...okay, BIG kids too, sent balloons off to heaven in memory of you. I know you smiled, because I know that God probably did allow you to experience the moment of their awe as the balloons literally seemed to disappear into heaven! It was awesome! Of course I'm a hog, and did the first balloon long before anyone arrived, just as an experiment...Awesome! I was amazed at how far that balloon went/disappeared so fast. I think that we'll do this New Years!
Haven, Kiara and Crystal? Gah'lay! I thought that they would never stop writing on their balloons, and me chompin' at the bit to get them out there to send them off. I love that part, watching them gooooooo! All babes and some adults got involved, and>>>>you've got about 28 balloons landing who knows where. I'm praying that at least one of them will land in at least one person's hand that lost a child recently... Cause them to smile, help wipe the grief from their heart. Cause them to realize that just because someone physically dies, doesn't mean that they are spiritually dead. If I didn't believe that myself>>>I couldn't have gotten out of bed day one of being without you.
But I'm happy for you, Jacky! I chose day one to accept that you were gone, and after month one or so, to put the grief away. I don't choose to grieve over you, (won't give Satan that satisfaction!) I choose to rejoice WITH you! Give GOD that satisfaction. Give YOU that satisfaction. My spirit is free and clear, so that I can hear if God wishes to pass on anything else new and interesting, or maybe even a message from you.
Another new Christmas tradition>>your tree and memory ornaments. SOOO awesome, and keeps your spirit snug around us. I found four hearts to line down the tree, button style>>that represent each of our hearts here in this home that miss your daily physical presence. Myself at the top, of course, then Angie, John and Tracy. The angels are Haven's, because many times that she is here at night, and we say our prayers, (and daily without a miss for me), we plead the blood of Christ over each and every one of our family, and ask him to set his angels and ministering spirits charge over each and everyone of our family. She names off names, right down to the dawgs. Whoooooo...sometimes I get bored listening...
I've often wondered why God allowed you to go, because I KNOW that the minute that you left here that day, it's my habit to pray over you....and he let me know, that you are his, it's your time, and he needs warriors. There is a real war yet to come. I knew that. Even your poems said so.... You absolutely desired to be God's warrior. You understood the big picture.
Jenny and Roy Lee, a large silver cross that puts them in mind your tattoo. If I hadn't asked, I would have thought simply the cross of Christ, but once that I put my reading glasses on and really pondered it>>>it DOES favor your tattoo! Ain't that kewl, or what?!
Tony comes in with a pepper'mint ornament. Who woulda' ever thought it? But it represents one of your last days, last pictures, where you stole the bowl of peppermint from a restaurant (in jest, and probably a sheet or two to the wind). I immediately knew what that ornament represented, and>>>>you was grinnin' there from heaven on that one, wouldn't you?
Ahh, from Crystal, a Pewter Mother Mary holding baby Jesus in a box that sings 'Silent Night' when opened. I'm not going to ever take that out of the box, but will sit it in front of your tree until the year that the box stops singing, and your tree is tall and strong and can hold many ornments. That, and all of the first ornaments go at the top of the tree. Always! And was it a typical Mother Mary and Jesus, or so I thought? But how sweet.....she said that it reminded her of me and you...is why she bought it. Now THAT is touching!
Also from Tony & Crystal, a memory cross for my new mantle. It will stay there year round, (it matches!), and I will have your name attached to it. (Tony's idea).
Amanda bought a little silver heart that says 'With God' entwined in a clear mini'mesh'style looking bag. I didn't get to ask her why, but the answer is clear. After all, you ARE with God. I'm glad that she understands that.
Autumn and your daddy brought over a small ceramic house with a wreath on the door, above it saying>>'New Home'. I asked Autumn why this particular ornament, which was obvious>>New HOME!
The ornament thingie is catching on, with Charlene and Christy a little remorseful that they didn't know...and would have loved to have participated>>and I know that's the truth of it. Not all have access to the computer, or to your little web'site.
(Thank you, Amanda, for this most treasured memorial of all, Jacky's memorial site). Thank you, baby girl! You'll be forever blessed by it, and>>>>>found a way to sneak a good and final one on Jacky, didn't you? You two! He can't out'do you on this one!
Uhmmm>>you fibbed to me about my 'tader salad. I asked what else it needed. You said that it needed nothing. Today, John said something was missing>>>Whheeeee, I got them boiled eggs done and diced in just the nick of time for the crowd!
Don't ever fibb to me. It will come out on you that you did so. My kids have learned this from years of experience!
But seriously, happiness is a choice. Contentment is a choice. Peace>a choice. Love, forgiveness...fruits of the spirit, patience....nothing negative...all is a choice. It's a growing process, but we can get there if we choose to grow there, and...according to scripture, if we so choose to, then we CAN. In an instant, even amidst the growing process. It's a family process, team'work. If one is down, lift them up>>>don't pet 'em<<make 'em LAUGH on a memory.... And never forget to NOT leave God out of the equation. Even home alone, all that one needs is the Almighty, the Great I AM.
Good'night, Jacky. That Haven still ain't a'sleep, but...after two fried eggs with the "babies gushin' from the middles" (over easy) and a toast and a peanut butter on a spoon (after me three days cookin' here)....I'm a'sleepy! It's been one for the memory book, but, yet>>>haven't they all, son?
I love you! Soooo much! But, then, I don't have to say it. I'm in the spirit, along with you>>ALWAYS. It's my daily duty since forever, to stay in the word, so that I can honestly say that I'm in the spirit...
(Happy birthday, Jesus), and thank you, God, for coming to earth in the form of man, as your own child, and son of woman, that we might be able to ever so slowly, but gradually digest the magnifence of YOUR presence.