Today the dear mother of my neighbor went home to be with the Lord while she slept.  It is the way we all dream of going home.  Peacefully, quietly, and gently delivered into the arms of our Savior.  At a mere 91 years old her life was fulfilling and filled with love. Her daughter and son-in-law have kindly taken care of her in their home for as long as we have been neighbors, 12 + years.  Having said goodbye to my fair share of loved ones you immeadiately have the same feeling you felt the day of your loss.  You so quickly feel a burden so heavy that it feels like it was yesterday when it happened to you.  It doen not last for long but it does allow you to pray in an incredibly deep way for the ones that you know are feeling the same thing you have once felt.  So today I lift up my friend and neighbor to the Lord and pray for that peace that surpasses all understanding!!  I pray for an extra measure of strength to get through the coming days of planning and celebrating a life well lived.
I especially pray for the days well beyond the immeadiate when grief will unexpectedly flood her heart.  That is where we truly see that the family and friends in our life and the memories that come with them are our gifts from God to hold on to forever!!!!  No one can ever take those away!