Many of you know that I lost my precious Aunt this last year.
And I have found that grief is a very "unscheduled" thing.
It doesn't follow a plan and can hit you at the most unexpected times.
Any of you that have lost loved ones know that the holidays are always hard that first year. I think one of the reasons it took me so long to get Christmas up was that so many of my decorations came from my Aunt.
I knew it would hurt to put them up.
What I didn't realize was the joy they would bring me this year and how much I would love looking at them.
You try to "plan" for how you are going to handle the loss.....
....my Aunt has always sent me pears at Christmas.
So, I sent myself some.....not realizing how hard it would be to receive them.
She always gave my daughter fuzzy socks...
at the last minute I got some for her stocking....not realizing the joy it would bring her to pull them out and remember.
But one of the most unexpected comforts came in a poem someone sent our family and I would like to share it with you...
Christmas in Heaven
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below, with tiny lights like heaven's stars reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular please wipe away that tear, for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear many Christmas songs that people hold so dear, but the sound of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you of the joy their voices bring, for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart, for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I can't tell you of the splendor or the peace here in this place, can you just imagine Christmas with our Savior face to face?
I'll ask him to lift your spirit as I tell him of your love, so then pray for one another as you lift your eyes above.
Please let your hearts be joyful and let your spirit sing, for I am spending Christmas in heaven
and I am walking with the King.
copyright owned by Wanda Bencke
And I have found that grief is a very "unscheduled" thing.
It doesn't follow a plan and can hit you at the most unexpected times.
Any of you that have lost loved ones know that the holidays are always hard that first year. I think one of the reasons it took me so long to get Christmas up was that so many of my decorations came from my Aunt.
I knew it would hurt to put them up.
What I didn't realize was the joy they would bring me this year and how much I would love looking at them.
You try to "plan" for how you are going to handle the loss.....
....my Aunt has always sent me pears at Christmas.
So, I sent myself some.....not realizing how hard it would be to receive them.
She always gave my daughter fuzzy socks...
at the last minute I got some for her stocking....not realizing the joy it would bring her to pull them out and remember.
But one of the most unexpected comforts came in a poem someone sent our family and I would like to share it with you...
Christmas in Heaven
I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below, with tiny lights like heaven's stars reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular please wipe away that tear, for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I hear many Christmas songs that people hold so dear, but the sound of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you of the joy their voices bring, for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.
I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart, for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.
I can't tell you of the splendor or the peace here in this place, can you just imagine Christmas with our Savior face to face?
I'll ask him to lift your spirit as I tell him of your love, so then pray for one another as you lift your eyes above.
Please let your hearts be joyful and let your spirit sing, for I am spending Christmas in heaven
and I am walking with the King.
copyright owned by Wanda Bencke
16 comments:
I'm so sorry for your loss, Sara. What a beautiful poem. I will be sharing this with Amy's family - Amy's mother-in-law has been given about 48 hours (at most) - While the "waiting" has been so tiring for everyone, the testimony of her love continues to radiate, the source being her faith in Jesus.
Praying for you today.....
Losing a loved one is the worst pain. My aunt lost her husband this year, and we went over to her house for Christmas. All of her family was there, which was good, but I heard her tell my mom that she had bought just regular red Christmas ornaments because she just didn't want to get the ones tied to so many memories out.
May God bless you and comfort you.
What a beautiful poem, Sara! I am sorry for your loss, but I am glad that having your aunt's decorations did bring you some joy this season.
beautiful poem, (((((sara)))))
Wonderful poem. I just sent it to a friend of mine who lost her daughter 3 years ago.
Hugs to you, my friend!
Such a beautiful poem. Thank you for sharing.
What a beautiful poem Sara.
What a special poem.
Hugs Sara! Praying that Jesus brings you peace until YOU can join your Aunt at His feet in heaven.
I love it. Is this the same one my mom sent out or a different one? Either way, it makes me joyfully sad. :) BTW, good post idea.
What a beautiful, comforting poem. This was the fourth Christmas without my mother, and the 11th without my father. It does get easier but there are moments that do grab you by surprise with grief. I think it's so lovely you have so many decorations from your aunt. I know your faith comforts you.
Thank you for your prayers for my sister, Kathleen. I so appreciate them. May God bless you something wonderful for your kindness.
That is the same poem I paraphrased at the bottom of my post honoring my Uncle RC when he passed away on December 13...it really touched my heart too!
Golden memories become even more golden when we get to share them with our kids and family as you did! You're such a great MOM!!
That brought a huge lump to my throat. Big hugs to you, Sara. I have a few of my grandma's ornaments, too, and they are precious to me.
Sara - this was the first year without my Dad and it was hard. I can relate to your loss and the void that you feel. I held on to Jesus hard and remembered the incredible blessings - made it through but still miss him. Thanks for sharing!
I've got a question for you. My mother-in-law (Nana) used to buy my babies a series ornament from Hallmark for the first five years of their life. (Hallmark makes these "My 1st Christmas" ornaments that go together and in succession: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th.) Anyway, Noah has all 5 and Saylor has all 5, but Gabriel only had 2 Christmases with her, and Atticus had only 1. And I can't tell you how painful it is just typing that!! Here's my question. As I was getting out the ornaments this year, I was presented with a problem. Do I find and purchase the next ornaments in the series for the babies? Or do we let the series leave off where it naturally did and explain that Nana bought these ornaments and then she died? I'm at a loss as to what to do. I just want to do the right thing. Any thoughts?
Post a Comment