Holidays are difficult when those we love have gone home. I have started on a cleaning frenzy and in the midst of my day, my eyes land on some photos of some very special people. I posted these “finds” on my Facebook page so that all my cousins could reminisce with me.
I believe that there are times when Jesus and God do a little divine intervention to lift our spirits and bring some joy into broken hearts…especially around holidays. It helps us remember the good times with these special people.
As I am scanning and launching these photos it occurs to me that there is something very special about these family members. This is my father’s family. His mom and his siblings. At the time of this photo our grandfather was already residing in heaven. One sister was missing from this photo which I regret because she is just as beautiful and full of life as her siblings.
I realized that my grandmother had lost her fourth baby in 1921. He was born and passed on the same day. How grieved she must have been to carry that baby for nine months only to lose it after a few hours. In all the years I knew her, I never knew that this had happened to her. I found out by accident while working on my genealogy for my father’s family. She was a delightful lady, so sweet and gracious. She had an awesome sense of humor as did our grandfather. There was always laughter. They passed that gift to their children…all of them.
Three of these beautiful siblings each lost a young child to sickness or tragedy. I look at their faces and see the beautiful smiles that were so normal for them when family would gather. I was very young when they suffered their loss and really actually only remember the loss of my uncle’s son. I learned of the other two, working on my family tree.
I see such strength in them, such courage to continue on with life in spite of tremendous loss. You would never know the pain they had suffered, at least we children did not.
Were they to have a message for us, I think it would be the following. It is okay to laugh. It helps to loosen the grip that grief has on your heart. Love those who are with you. Remember those who have traveled home.
They continued on with their lives, working hard, loving their families. They are all gone from us… But never forgotten.
Thought For The Day:
Our families have walked the paths before us. They spent some difficult days in the deserts that life can bring. As they traveled, they cleared a path for us to follow behind them. Do you have some family who have cleared a path for you? Have they shown you how to walk even through the most difficult situations?
Scripture For Today:
Jeremiah 6:16
16 Thus says the LORD:
“Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls…
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! It is no secret to You that the holidays bring some anxiety and sadness. Though we know those missing from around our table are sitting at yours…still, we miss them terribly. Father, give us peace. Help us to think on their paths through difficult days and choose “to walk in it” with that same courage and determination we saw in them. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.