explaining the silence ...

There has not been any post lately - and I thought I would take a minute just to explain that silence.

The last time I wrote I believe, was the 1st of this month.  Today is the 19th.  How times flies.

I feel like I have not been able to catch my breath lately, although the visits from my grandsons and granddaughter help me to breathe!

Let me fill you in on my life lately.  

First of all, I am very thankful for those of you who have made some impromptu visits, and sat with me around a cup of coffee! You know who you are - and I am thankful for your friendship.  It was one such visit, with a young friend, when I got a phone call from my sister, telling me her daughter had been in a car accident on the West Perimeter, and that she was in emergency surgery, and may not make it.  My friend drove me to the hospital since I was without a car that day.  I sat with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece ... we wept.  We prayed.  We waited.  More family joined us.  We wept more.  We prayed more.  We waited more.  That was the pattern for the rest of the day, until the evening, when after another CT scan, the doctors informed us all, that my niece would not make it - her brain injury was too extensive.

What can I say?  No words can describe the terrible feeling that comes when you hear those words.  It was strange, because somehow I just knew she was not going to make it - but kept praying.  Sometimes I don't know what to do with the "gut feelings" that I often get about things, or an "intuition" or and "insight".  I think God is the one behind all that, but still I often don't know what to do with it.  

We stood, almost our whole extended family - and held her hand, touched her head, whispered words of assurance and love to her.  The whole time with tears pouring down our cheeks.  I often wonder where exactly those tears all come from.  Approximately 12 hours from when her car spun out of control and hit an MTS utility vehicle that was parked on the side of the road - we watched her pass from this life into the arms of the Almighty whom she loved.  And our hearts broke with sorrow.

Last week was full of family - and the memorial service - and more family.  I thank God for family, and never want to take our bonds for granted.  I am so proud of our family ties and love for one another.  

This week, we realize that life, as hard as it is to say, life moves forward.  I know from experience that grief makes you feel like you are in a bubble, and you watch others going about life as normal, but somehow, life feels anything BUT normal.  So, I am spending time praying for my sister, brother-in-law, niece Mel and husband Grant and their kids.  I am also spending time praying for my niece (who died) Keri - for her little 4 1/2 year old.  He is the one left without a mommy.  That breaks my heart.  

I am not sure if you (reading this) are a praying person!  (since I am not sure who all reads my blog)

I believe in the power of prayer.  I believe that God has a plan for our life.  I believe God had a plan for Keri's.  I believe God has a plan for her son.  I don't understand what all happens in life,  but I believe God is Sovereign!

So, I ask you to pray.  Pray for the family Keri left behind.  Pray for strength to get up each morning, and to see that God gives new mercies every morning.  Great is HIS faithfulness!! 

I am posting pictures of the hand-out from Keri's funeral, which I had the privilege of planning, and doing, along with my brother (obit and eulogy) and my daughter (doing all the music) and my son (did the short sermon).  We thank God for Keri's life - and know that she is with Him, and we have just said good-bye for a time, until we are together again.  That is the hope we have because we love the Lord.

This was the inside of the card that was handed out at the service.
Yes, such a tiny little one, but she lived big!!

She was a good mom to her little guy!

Her mom found this handwritten note in Keri's purse.
She had returned to Manitoba in fall of 2011
and this note expresses how blessed she felt!
A reminder for me - to thank God for all things - especially family!