Getting Started

Hello out there.  I have been thinking of doing a blog for so long, and two people I know are doing one, which encouraged me to put my hand to "paper" ur computer and begin to share my words.

Lisa," A Day In The Life...", and Kaylee "Kaylee's Adventures" are my two inspiring authors.  Lisa has such a way with words, and I am always looking forward to see what she will share.  Kaylee does a wonderful job of writing as well, and she has done some very fun things.

Today, I just want to say that holidays are hard for a lot of people, especially those who have lost a loved one in their lives.  This year we lost my husband's mom.  She was an amazing woman, who was also a sad and lonely one.  We communicated with love, as she only spoke Portuguese, and I only spoke American English, with each of us having a spattering of the other's language to help us along.  She came from the Azores, Portugal to America when she was in her late thirties, along with her husband and four children.  She spoke no English, and she was not a sophisticated woman, so all our advantages of American life, were truly beyond her understanding.

When my husband and I first began dating, she was not sure I was a good choice, because I was "American" and not "Portuguese".  When my brother-in-law chose his first wife, and his mom complained that she wasn't Portuguese, he said  "Well, neither is Laura".  Her response was, "Well, she is different."   That was the statement that let me know she had accepted me fully, as a choice worthy of her son, and was high praise coming from her lips.

Losing her this year was difficult and sad.  Even though it was definitely her time to go, it is never easy to lose someone you love.  It was amazing to see the family rally together and the love and support of each other was such a blessing to see.  Her priest said something so profound.  He said, "Our highest calling is to live our lives for God.  That is the purpose we were put on this earth, to live for Him.  To praise Him.  To love Him."

So, if you have lost someone this year, either through death, divorce, distance, or just growing apart, my heart is here for you.  I share your pain.  I understand what it means to feel bittersweet because you want to share in the joy, but then you remember someone is missing from your midst, that you really wanted to share this with.  Of course, I have felt this way already, through the years since 2002 when we lost our niece Desi to that awful cancer.  She, too, was in my thoughts this Christmas and missing her, brought tears to my eyes.  But joy to my heart knowing she had the best party seat ever in heaven.

So, you say, how is this encouraging to start with?  The encouragement is that our lives don't end with death.  The memories never stop.  Their lives will always have meaning, if we share them with others.  If they know Jesus, then their lives will never end.  The encouragement is that the lives we live now, are but a small part of our eternal destiny.  We are just beginning a journey that can be challenging at times, painful, or frustrating.  It can also be a choice we make, to go through our lives looking for the good things God promises us in the Bible.  A destiny that is to bless us and not to harm us.  I choose to see the good in this coming year.  That is the encouragement I share with you.  To join me in finding the positive and good things that happen each day, and to remember those we love through each  one of them.  Love and prayers to you all.