My heart has been full lately--full of thoughts, sadness, gratitude, and love. Let me tell you why. We have some dear friends and neighbors; people I’ve known for nearly 20 years. We’ve visited with this family at church. Our children have grown up together, been close friends, gone to school together. We've spent much time talking over the years—about deep things, about silly things, about life.
And on Saturday, my friend buried her husband after his long battle with cancer. Not three weeks earlier, her beautiful daughter passed away as well, following an unexpected, brief illness. Her sweet daughter was just 26 years old; she and my son Jared were inseparable in grade school through high school and he even spoke at her funeral. It has made the weight of mortality and the fleeting nature of life so very real and persistent.
My heart has broken with these losses. Sometimes, the pain I feel for my friend and her family has been almost unbearable. And yet, as I talk with her, I also feel a flood of peace as sure and strong as any I have ever known. There is great love in this family—great love for each other, great love for their Savior, and great faith that the Lord has a plan for us.
Over the past month, my emotions have been on a rollercoaster, but every time the ride stops I am filled with deep, abiding gratitude. I have a wonderful family. They mean the world to me. And more than that, they KNOW they mean the world to me. And should we be separated by death, I believe—I KNOW—that we will be reunited.
On Saturday morning, our church held its annual Christmas breakfast (stay tuned for a blog post about that event, too!). At first, it felt a little odd to be whipping up frittatas and caroling with neighbors and celebrating, knowing that in just a few short hours, the membership would be convening for a somber funeral. But as I watched the children gleefully climbing on Santa’s lap, and parents chatting with each other, and families bonding over holiday traditions, I realized that the two events belong on the same day. They are both honoring life, family, and the rich blessings we have been given. They both reminded me of the beauty of this season, when we remember the birth of Christ—born to redeem mankind, born to rescue us from the bonds of death, born to bless us with life everlasting.
So to those we’ve lost, I won’t say goodbye, just “until we meet again.” And to those I’m blessed enough to be surrounded by this Christmas: I’ll hug you a little tighter. I’ll tell you “I love you” one more time. You already know it...but I’m going to make sure.
And on Saturday, my friend buried her husband after his long battle with cancer. Not three weeks earlier, her beautiful daughter passed away as well, following an unexpected, brief illness. Her sweet daughter was just 26 years old; she and my son Jared were inseparable in grade school through high school and he even spoke at her funeral. It has made the weight of mortality and the fleeting nature of life so very real and persistent.
My heart has broken with these losses. Sometimes, the pain I feel for my friend and her family has been almost unbearable. And yet, as I talk with her, I also feel a flood of peace as sure and strong as any I have ever known. There is great love in this family—great love for each other, great love for their Savior, and great faith that the Lord has a plan for us.
Over the past month, my emotions have been on a rollercoaster, but every time the ride stops I am filled with deep, abiding gratitude. I have a wonderful family. They mean the world to me. And more than that, they KNOW they mean the world to me. And should we be separated by death, I believe—I KNOW—that we will be reunited.
On Saturday morning, our church held its annual Christmas breakfast (stay tuned for a blog post about that event, too!). At first, it felt a little odd to be whipping up frittatas and caroling with neighbors and celebrating, knowing that in just a few short hours, the membership would be convening for a somber funeral. But as I watched the children gleefully climbing on Santa’s lap, and parents chatting with each other, and families bonding over holiday traditions, I realized that the two events belong on the same day. They are both honoring life, family, and the rich blessings we have been given. They both reminded me of the beauty of this season, when we remember the birth of Christ—born to redeem mankind, born to rescue us from the bonds of death, born to bless us with life everlasting.
So to those we’ve lost, I won’t say goodbye, just “until we meet again.” And to those I’m blessed enough to be surrounded by this Christmas: I’ll hug you a little tighter. I’ll tell you “I love you” one more time. You already know it...but I’m going to make sure.
It is kind of sad that it always takes something like this happening to others to make us go "Oh I need to tell my friends and family that I love them" We really must remember every day to love our families and enjoy the day as you never know what could happen.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post. It just reminds us of what we have and what to be thankful for!
What a profound post. Thank you for sharing your grief, love and beliefs with us. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us. What an emotional time but helps so much to have a Savior that comforts us and gives us hope. Thank you for the reminder to hug our loved ones extra!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeanette - spoken from the heart as always. I'm certain you will be alright, secure in God's love - but I'll add a prayer for you, and your neighbors, anyway.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. I have felt similar losses recently. I love that you are able to share your testimony in a public forum. You are inspirational on so many levels. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy prayers are going out to the family that is going through this great loss that they will find comfort that only God can give, and to you for the empty space it has left in your life. Thanks for reminding us to never pass up an opportunity to remind our loved ones how much they mean to us.
ReplyDeleteSherette*
A lovely post, Jeannette. Thank you for sharing your emotions and, most importantly, your faith. It is such a blessing to be able to say "until we meet again" instead of "goodbye" because of what Jesus did for us. May God bless you & this family that has suffered terrible loss by comforting you with His presence in a special way this Christmas.
ReplyDeletePlease accept my condolences for you and this family. Loss is hard at any time but even harder at this time of year. 3 years I ago I lost my Dad in Sept and my Mom in Dec. Then I was diagnosed with cancer the first week of Jan. Thanks to the love and support of family and friends I made it through this. I am sure your love and support will help carry your friend through this too.
ReplyDeleteI have known loss and pain.. You put it in words that I struggle to live by on a daily basis.. Some days I do well other days I don't.. It is always hard to let go of someone and wonder WHEN you are going to see them again.. I, just as you, KNOW to my soul that I have to wait to see them.. There are those days when I desperately wish to hold them and touch them.. I don't need to say a word... They know my thoughts and Heart and Soul.. Miss you Daniel and Mom.. Love Tonye
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your testimony. It is well-written and very touching. I know these things with all my heart too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding people to be sure those close to them know they are loved and cherished...
ReplyDeleteMy own Mom passed away unexpectedly and the last time I saw her I had said "I Love you" as parting words and shared what a fun evening we had, with no idea that the next time I saw her it would be too late for words..
I love your reminder that we won't be separated forever, just "Until We meet Again..."
Thanks I needed that reminder Now, as I am missing My Mom (and the rest of my family) terribly at this time of Year, the lack of family feels worse when the focus of almost everything seems to be on being with family and mine are gone (for Now)...
Seems I have spent many Christmas Days since alone, forgotten by busy friends.. So I rejoice that someday my family will be reunited..
Thanks for the much needed reminder...
Have a Joyous Christmas.. and Yes everyone needs to tell those close to them, how special they are and Please Don't wait til tomorrow, as you just never know..
Thanks Geri (London,ON,Canada)
This was beautifully written and I felt your pain and joy within it. Thank you for sharing such thoughtful words with us, and may God bless your families during this time.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your losses. Praise The Savior that the loss is temporary for He has conquered death! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with you and your friends family. I just loss my stepfather on December 5th, and have felt this emptiness the last couple weeks. You words hit home and brought me comfort and I thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteDear Jeanette, you have a way of summing things up for us and adding a perspective we hadn't considered before. I suffered the loss of my only sister 20 years ago. Sometimes it seems like we were just together, sometimes I am so sad that she didn't get to see her children grow up and the wonderful young parents they themselves have become. Bless you Jeanette and Merry Christmas. Consultant Patty Smith
ReplyDeleteJeanette, you have a gift for expressing yourself. Thank you for sharing this experience with us. Your message is so true: love those around you fully, every day, and never take for granted the gifts of our Savior.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful, seemingly healthy, wonderful woman who I have been blessed to be loved by had a stroke on Dec. 20th right after church. She lingered for 2 days, never regaining consciousness and then passed. Her 3rd little grandson was born Dec. 27th and her funeral will be January 1st. She was only 50 but looked 20.
I don't think we are ever ready to be parted from those we love. This seemed so horrible to happen when it did until I realized the Lord was helping us through this by all of the reminders of what a gift He had given us by sending His son and providing a way for us to return to Him. We will be with her again, thanks to the birth of that precious little boy.
Now with this sweet little grandson that my dear sister-friend eagerly awaited, I think of Mary and Joseph and how they must have eagerly awaited baby Jesus. Yet they went through all kinds of turmoil too. And to have to travel by donkey when she was ready to give birth? And then for Joseph not to be able to provide a clean, decent place for his wife to give birth in?
The Lord was with them and everything was according to His plan. We must then believe that it is true now also. It is so easy to believe that those who have passed are fine. It is much harder to believe those of us left behind and mourning will be fine.
I will be making a scrapbook of this beautiful woman, possibly in duplicate or triplicate (better use Studio J). What a gift having her in my life has been. I can't wait to see her again. When I hold her grandson and love him, I know her spirit will be near.
Jeanette, thank you for taking the time to do your blog. I love your artwork, your recipes, your CMM. You are such an inspiration to so many people. I don't know how you do all that you do but so many people appreciate you for it. "Knowing" you and being a part of your organization is a gift. You make our lives better, and that is just with your colors. ;-)