Day Twelve

Salvation

Aunt Georgie died today. So many deaths, so many losses in recent years. I am thankful for my heritage. I am thankful for an extended family that has always seemed more like extra moms and dads than aunts/uncles. I am thankful for our ability to have fun with each other, to laugh, to act silly. I am thankful for the fierce protection we offer each other. I have so many happy memories - many of them thanks to these amazing great-aunts God has given me...

Girl Parties

Clowning

Movie Nights

Family Reunion Camping Trips

House-sitting Rent Free (for a year...thanks Aunt Georgie...and Uncle)

My First Doll (from Aunt Georgie - I think also my only doll)

I-Love-You-Honey Phone Calls

Money Trees

E-mails (when talking became difficult)

I've always known I was loved - a lot. The women in my family are strong, they are loyal, they are devoted. It has been an honor to be raised by such amazing people. It is true, I am a product of all of them. Good and bad. They have never hesitated to insert their opinion, their influence, or their will into my life. Great-niece? What's that? No different than daughter or granddaughter. In this family - anything goes. You just hang on and enjoy the ride - knowing it will never be dull.

As I was thinking about Auntie this morning, I felt such peace. Thank you Father. Because of Christ's death and resurrection we have a comfort that makes grief bearable. We have hope. Salvation rescues us. It gives us more. To paraphrase C.S. Lewis...

"But this life on earth is only the beginning of the real story. All our time in this world and all our adventures are only the cover and title page. One day, at last, we will begin Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before."

I don't know if this is really happening or not but I hope that - whatever she is doing, whatever she is being shown - Grandma O. and Gram are by her side. It eases the pain when I think of them together. The Three Musketeers. Participating in the Great Story together. Ok, Grandpa, you can join them too.