Monthly Archives: April 2013

Though my heart is still heavy from the loss of my sister, at the same time it is hard not to see the blessings my life is filled with daily. I have written more than one blog in regards to my move from Washington to Colorado. Though I miss my family, I have been blessed with a wonderful life here and with Dan…far exceeding my expectations. When you love someone as much as I love Dan, you don’t care where that love takes you as long as you are together…we are now one, a family within its own rights. But as much as I love him, leaving family was difficult.

That being said, over the past couple years I’ve met and made friends with some great people. And today I want to express my gratitude to a particular group…my church family. God leads us in directions we don’t always understand or agree with but it’s His direction and we follow that lead…or at least try to.

I have a big family – covering parts of the Pacific Northwest, Canada, my son and daughter-in-law in Reno, and my extended family through Dan farther to the east of us. Over the last two years I have gained another family, a family that also loves me and protects my heart with their love through Jesus. I am so grateful for all of them. I have never had a church family as warm and caring as they are and I am thankful everyday.

Trials in life keep me wondering what it’s all about sometimes, so I turn to my bible, friends, family, but most importantly to God. I am emotionally tapped right now and it would have been easy to sleep in and let rest wash over me, but I didn’t – I needed to be with my church family and feel their comfort and love surround me. It isn’t a matter of words, though comforting as they might be, there is little to be said in times of sorrow…no it was the hugs…the sincerity in which they are given that I felt today. So, I want to thank them all…for who they are through God and as my family. I am blessed.

Now I can say I have a huge family…bigger than most and as wonderful as ever. Thank you God, for I know through them you are wrapping your arms around me with your love.

I lost another sibling today…this time a sister. Has the world stopped yet…feels like it should with the pain in our hearts…but no it still hammers away. Laurie was younger and a whole lot sweeter than I will ever be. She was the sister we would find sleeping in the dog house with the dogs…just because she loved them so much. Never an angry word, sour tone or negative thought…Laurie loved everyone and everything.

Now my brother-in-law Alan will be expected to forge forward…has the world stopped yet? Still the answer is no…it hammers away. Why do I want so much to stop the spinning ground we walk on and have everyone take a minute just to remember Laurie and her sweet ways…because she was so sweet. It won’t make the news in the fashion of the Boston bombings…or even the local news of our neighborhoods…but she will radiate her goodness into the air and with that I guess I have to be satisfied. I’m not being realistic because today is filled with sorrow…for Alan, the rest of my siblings, the generations following ours, Laurie’s friends and extended family…and for me.

I know tomorrow and the days that follow will be constant reminders of how important family is…so hug your sister, brother, child, grandchild, family members alike…and don’t forget your friends.

Rest in peace Laurie…love forever and a day.

xoxo