Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Where Have You Been?

Dearest Jeremy,

Another 8th...NEVER forgotten...We will take you wherever we go forever and always.

Love,
Mommy


1 comment:

Julie said...

Where is he? In all of your hearts..with you wherever you go. I couldn't help but notice that in every picture of the children, the sun was shining so brightly on their faces. Jeremy's light is there, lighting their face, filling their hearts with warmth, and making their eyes to sparkle. It's the little things you both give to them that help Jeremy to live on. Kind of like that poem, "Children learn what they live". So many things you both have done, as their parents, have not only helped you all get through this year, but have taught them immeasurable lessons. Let me give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

When you show your grief, your pain, your hurt, you teach your children it's okay to feel and not to be ashamed of it.

When you take the time to memorialize Jeremy, you teach your children that it's good to talk about him, remember him, and love him.

When you push yourself to make it through the day, no matter how hard it is, you teach your children how to persevere and not give up when life gets rough.

When you find joy in bits of sunshine, a sunshine bear, a patch of sunflowers, you are teaching your children to find the positive things in life, no matter how gloomy it may seem.

When you take the time to go places like the beach, spend special days together, you are teaching your children they are important and valued, worth every minute of your time!

Most importantly, when you praise God in the midst of your storm, you are teaching them the importance of having a firm foundation in Christ and that He is faithful no matter what life may bring.

Invaluable lessons, you are teaching them every day. I know this, though I don't know your children well. How? I see it in their faces, their smiles, their eyes. True joy, peace, faith, and love is not something all children get to experience in their lives. Thanks to Jeremy's life, and the parents God blessed him with, your children can and do have all of those things to make them the strong children of God you long for them to be! Though you miss Jeremy so much in those moments, just remind yourself that the beauty of the ocean, the sand, the sunshine....all are a glimpse of what he is experiencing every day as he lives the rest of eternity in the glorious presence of our King. His voice is like the crashing waves, yet also soothing like a trickling stream. His hands are smooth, warm, and enveloping like the soft sands of the beach. His glory IS the light, warming and bathing those in His presence with His majesty. I can't wait to experience life on those shores!!

In His rich love,
Julie