Technology has brought even the most private of world’s public in a whole new level of communication. My husband’s blackberry brought us the sad news of a dear family friend’s passing on a cruise in Alaska with her family. She was my high school teacher, a church member in my childhood church, her grandmother, one of my grandmother’s best friends as well as her mother and my mother….Miss Dian was indeed important in my life as well. I had the privilege of seeing God work in her life. Many miscarried babies had she and Mr. John lost before he believed into existence the miracles they call Lillian and Robert. When they were mere babes, I was their babysitter afterschool for five days a week when Robert came. They were my family, my cheering section and my joy for those years. My adolescent New Year’s eves were spent with the children for several years, their home and fellowship a welcome retreat.
As I drove to a friend’s home, my husband handed me the emailed message from an Aunt who was her dear high school friend….and the news was both unexpected and devestating to me….she was neither old nor expected to have issues at this moment. Life is short and we must learn to use and appreciate what God has gifted us with.
Tonight I hug my children a little harder and live a little fuller. Miss Dian led me in many ways of who I am as an adult. Her candid transparency and her ability to laugh and story tell on herself as well as teach excellence is a profound influence in my life today. Tonight please say prayers for she, John, their son Robert and wife Anie as they prepare to leave Alaska from the cruise and bring her home. God is good all the time….and even in this sad news for me I rejoice in her presence in heaven with her lost babies rejoicing in the reunion with Granny Lillian Bell and Mr. Bell….and her mother and the rest of the crew already in heaven before us.
God you are good, help us to praise You even in our sadness.
