An Unexpected Blessing...

The house is quiet as everyone is resting so I have a moment to share with you. I have received an unexpected gift. Not a gift I would have chosen or maybe even welcomed, but it has been, none-the-less, a gift to me this busy Christmas season. The Lord has answered my prayers of helping me to keep my priorities straight, of keeping my focus on what is truly of importance and on what really matters. I once again have recognized the hand of a Loving God and I am praising Him for His faithfulness. Last Friday afternoon my parents called to let me know my 96 year old grandfather had been admitted to the hospital and was in serious condition. I struggled over if and when to book a flight up to Ohio to see him. Saturday morning it became apparent that Grandpa would not be rallying and was instead not expected to live much longer. With Brad's blessing, I immediately booked the first flight out (7pm) hoping to make it in time to have an opportunity to hold his hand one more time and say my good-byes. My sister called around lunch time to let me know that Grandpa had passed from life to ETERNAL LIFE. I was heart broken to have missed saying good-bye. I began to focus on being thankful for our recent visit 2 months ago when I did have a chance to sit, one last time with grandpa...talk, laugh, hold his hand and tell him I loved him. Our visit is a good memory. I had a few hours to straighten up our home, gather some photos of grandpa, pack and make it to the airport in good time, headed for Ohio. The last four days have been filled with family time that has refreshed my soul as we have talked, laughed, cried, hugged and enjoyed the preciousness of the life the Lord has given us together. For those of you that know me, you understand what a testament to God's faithfulness it is that our family enjoys such a close and loving relationship. At times it overwhelms me when we are together. Coming from a "blended family", we have had our share of challenges and growing to do in order to reach this point of bonding and connectedness. So my gift this Christmas did not include being able to cross things of my "to do" list, having every gift purchased and wrapped, Christmas baking done, or to have our house put back together and beautifully decorated. It has been the gift of being surrounded by my extended family, sharing in our love for each other as we mourn our loss and celebrate life. My brother officiated at grandpa's funeral today and his words were a blessing to all. Forty-one family members enjoyed lunch together...what a treat to re-connect with extended family, many of whom I have not seen for years. Family gathered at the cemetery this afternoon as we paid our final respects to my Father's Father. It was emotional for me at a deeper level as my memories flooded back over the years when we have stood in this same place and said our good-byes to three other family members. The most difficult for me, of course, was the memory of being a 14 year old girl and laying to rest the body of my mother. I began to learn then that some things in life just have to be accepted by faith. Today I was looking at the grave sites of three generations, four special people...and each loved in a special way. Tomorrow I return home to Texas, again surrounded by family who love each other. Ashley and Casey will arrive into town two hours after I do, so I am thankful all seven of us will be together this Christmas to celebrate Christ's birth and our love for each other. I pray that you will have a Blessed Christmas this year as you celebrate "God With Us". In Loving Memory of my Grandfather.