Patience & the Art of Remembering

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of my grandmother's passing. She was a wonderful woman...generous, honest, and a hard worker in God's service. Today I left a message on my Mom's Facebook wall. I reminded her that today didn't mark a year that she'd been absent from our lives, but rather it marked a whole year that she's been living in God's presence. I had to remind myself that several times throughout the day.

Today was also my due date...we were trying very hard to have this child today...something good to help extinguish the pain. I can tell right, it's not going to happen...it would have to be the world's quickest labor at this point. And although I'm having contractions off & on...what are the odds of having a child in less than an hour? Not that good. So this child will be born in her own time.

In a way this whole day has been a reminder of God's perfect timing. We didn't think it was Grandmother's time. But He must have had a reason. We did nearly everything short of a medical induction (which I refuse to have), to have this child today...but neither she nor God thought today was right. And although I secretly suspect that God's sense of humor will come into play and we'll have an April Fool's baby, there is a reason she didn't arrive today. Although the real prank would be if she turns out to be a boy. But I digress. God has His timing, and man can do what they can to artificially stall it, but in the end, their efforts will be ineffectual. This coming weekend, take some time...time to slow down, and realize His perfect timing in your life.

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Loss & Restoration

This theme is reverberating in my soul today. It'll be in my family's thoughts around this time of year for a while. But for me, it takes on additional weight. My grandmother passed away on the 31st of this month, last year. It's also my due date this year. Birth for death.
Today is Jewels birthday. I gave birth to her on a Tuesday afternoon 5 years ago. But this is also painful timing, because 4 years ago, she was taken from us. A series of deceptive & manipulative events by someone who had a problem with us, combined with the antagonists knowledge of the judicial system, and our naivete, culminated in our daughter being removed. Later on, her dad revealed more of his true colors and I divorced him to protect Jewel. But his mom let him move back in with her.
I'm with Gunlover now..he's an incredible man. He loves God, loves me, and absolutely adores Jewel. Jewel took to him almost immediately. We have felt like this year God is going to return her to us. And God has moved in incredible ways to provide & pave the way for that return. We lost her over 4 years ago, but she will be restored to us soon.

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In Tribute To the Original

Today would have been my grandmother's 67th birthday. She was the original SpitFire. And I don't mean that I'm named after her, but the attitude was definitely passed on. She didn't take anything from anyone. She was a mighty, mighty woman of God. She made things happen, and got things done. Her legacy lives on in 1 daughter, 6 granddaughters, 4 grandsons, 1 great-granddaughter (so far). Her legacy is one of action, faithfulness, and enduring love. She would drop anything to help any of us out. I did another pastel, it's not very good, but it represents 2 of her favorite things. Purple & Snoopy.

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