2012

I went to 5 funerals between August 31st and October 30th. I am 37 years old. It is not strange that I have known people who have died. But 5 in 2 months was a lot for my soul to bear.

This has been heavy on my heart for months now, and I just don't think I can close out this year without paying tribute to these people.

The first one was a grandmother of one of my best friends. Nanny. Nanny lived alone, walked for miles everyday, gardened, cooked, babysat, drove to church, and was fiercely independent until her last day. She lived until almost 100 with not a bit of assistance! She was babysitting her great-grandchildren right up until her death. She got the last one sent off to Kindergarten and decided she was tired. She is now at home with her Savior.

The second one was sweet Sara Walker. (If you have not read her story or blog, please stop and do so now.) 35 years old.  A mother of 2 boys. A wife. A daughter. A sister. A friend. A disciple of Christ. Her life ended too soon, but oh to be able to make an impact like she did. The world has not heard the last of the life of Sara Walker. You just wait.

The third one was the mother of one of my best friends. (I am not ready to start attending funerals of my friends parents.) I spent many nights at this woman's house. I ate her red velvet cake and her rotel dip. She drove my pre-teen age friends and me to football games and listened to us act like idiots. She has a son and a daughter and a beautiful granddaughter that all need her. She left us too early.

The fourth was a friend of mine from church. A lady I sat next to in my women's Bible Study group. I attended a book club at her house. She was not a close friend, but someone I knew and admired. Her death was a result of the horrible meningitis brought on by the tainted steroid shot she received. Her story has been on the local and national news. She has 2 sons and a husband that desperately need her. She left us too early.

The fifth one was a cousin of my mother-in-law and husband. I did not know him well. I probably only met him a few times since I have been married. He was a husband and father to 3 children. A son. A brother.  And a grandfather to one precious little boy who really needed him. His life ended too soon and he has left a gaping hole in their lives.

All these people were missed this Christmas. Their absence was felt by many. All these people have friends and family that have to wake up everyday and realize they are still gone. Radio stations still play Christmas music. Children still have to go to school. Bills still have to be paid and dogs still have to be fed.

I think about these people and I pray for their families. I try to be thankful for the family I have and tell the people in my life how much I love them.

When things happen like the shooting in Newtown, CT I feel numb. I feel like I cannot even process the hatred and the wrong. The evil that exists. I did not watch any news coverage and I still don't know many of the details. I can't. I can't or I won't be able to drive my boys to school.

And then I remember that death is not the end of the story. Death does not get the last word.
That is our hope. Our only hope. Death does not win.

I wish you peace and love in 2013.


4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
(Philippians 4)