Maybe Christmas Means More

 

 

 

Each year, my sweet Mother-in-Law sends out a Christmas invite to the families to gather at their home for Christmas Eve. Upon the invitation she always ends it with a heartfelt quote. I think this year was my favorite.

“Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps… means a little bit more!”

~ Dr. Suess

The Grinch

Once November arrives, the days and weeks hurry by faster than the year before. Thanksgiving comes and then Christmas four to five weeks later. With the hustle and bustle of shopping, finding that perfect gift, we can lose sight of the meaning of the Season.

Christmas means Family. 

And family doesn’t necessarily need to be one of blood, but of community, fellowship, and love. It is the coming together for food and fellowship. It is the giving and receiving of gifts.

Most importantly, for our family it is about the greatest gift this world has ever known. His name is the most famous name around the earth. His birth was recorded in the most-read book ever written, The Holy Bible. 

The Messiah was born in a stable kept with livestock. He was wrapped in cloth and laid in a feeding trough for a bed.

 He was the bridge to Heaven as our Redeemer.

And his name is, JESUS!

This is what the true meaning of Christmas is to me.

"Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about," 

said Linus.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were so afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”’

 Luke 2:8-14 KJV

Lives On

 

 

I believe many of you can give testimony in one form or another to this circumstance. The loss of a loved one.

I dare say, since mid-October the sound of Christmas music, and my favorite movies playing can be heard throughout the house. 

I find a deep satisfaction and joy within their familiarity. Reminding us of celebrations to come.

Families coming together from near and far, with the multiple reasons to, give Thanks and have an attitude of Gratitude.

A new classic that I adore is, ‘A Boy Called Christmas’, put out by Netflix in 2021. Without giving this magical storyline away, it involves a grieving family and their first Christmas without their Mother. This strongly resonates with me as we will be navigating the Holidays for the first time without my Mama. 

There were a few lines that duly warranted to be copied down in my journal. “It’s always the way. The darkest night will end. The sun will rise, and Christmas mornings will come again when anything and everything can happen.”,

Aunt Ruth. I just love that! Christmas is the Season for Miracles.

But, it is this sentence that was extremely meaningful to me, “.....you are the best memory of her now.”

Beloved, though we will feel their loss during the Holidays that are before us, we can have joy in the knowledge that they are never truly gone. As Aunt Ruth reminded me, though Mama is gone, her very essence of faith, love, humor, and kindness, with the value and importance of family resides within us all. 

My life represents her memory. Her legacy. There is a peace that surpasses sorrow, for my Mama lives on.

Change

 

 

 Change is all around us, and Autumn is the perfect reminder.

I came across this on Pinterest the other day. The author is unknown.
"Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go." Amen to that!

These past eight months have been out of my control.
And as one who likes to take charge, you can imagine how hard it has been. I learned a long time ago the definition of release and how freeing it is.
The fantastic translation in the MSG reads as such:
Ecclesiastes 3:2a,4b,5b,6b
A right time for birth and another for death,
A right time to lament and another to cheer,
A right time to embrace and another to part,
A right time to hold on and another to let go,

It has been a journey to reach this place of peace and certainty. I've chosen to embrace my Mom's legacy and the precious memories I hold dear. The time for lamenting has passed.

Another scripture from the translation MSG is phenomenal It reads:
"Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it?"     ~ Isaiah 43:19

There is so much that life throws our way, with illness, heartache, loss, etc. However, I believe there is goodness and promise found in our hardships. There is healing, redemption, and forgiveness with the opportunity to forgive. There is beauty and miracles all around us. We must keep our eyes and hearts wide open, or we'll miss the wonders of metamorphosis that are taking place.

"Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward."?
                                                                                   ~ C.S. Lewis

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
                                                                                ~ Hebrews 4:16

The Love Passage

 

 

 

 

Most are familiar with the 'Love Passage' 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

 

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

 

Being human, we all falter in one area or another. But it's continuing in a course of action despite the difficulties that come our way. That is the essence of love. 

 

To love is seeing our beloveds through a lens of uncondition. It is holding on through the storms and dancing to the melody of the rain. 

 

My husband beholds our marriage and relationship in such a way. He embraces me in his loving arms and covers me in prayer. His character is a beautiful canvas of goodness, honor, and sincerity. He holds my hand in eternal love and devotion as we walk this world together. Laughter is our song of freedom. And our children are our triumph and glory.

 

Love is a journey, a gift to share and behold. Great is the reward.

 

Sustaining Goodness and Grace

 

 How do we patiently endure? How do we press on when the pain suffocates all hope? What, then, when our suffering blurs our vision of truth? We choose to. It is as simple as that.

God is our Sovereign Father who carries us through the fire. To be anchored in trust only comes from a relationship with God. By doing so, we then learn His character. We see, though, may not fully comprehend His love and perfect will.

 

My healing may never come to this side of Heaven. He holds onto me, and I to Him. My story is one of triumph. It speaks of light breaking through imminent darkness, joy, and laughter found in a story of His sustaining goodness and grace.

 

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (ESV) - Romans 5:1-2

 

 

Motherhood

 

Today my youngest brother (Tim), Dad, and I spread Mom's ashes in the final stages of Mom's passing. Her ashes settled on nearby foliage as they gently cradled them. As tears fell, I thanked God for her life. And I thanked Mama for instilling in me the awards and lessons of motherhood.

Motherhood. The word represents a calling of great importance. There is nothing else in the world that compares. Mama guided us. She loved tenderly and forgave with Mercy. When we strayed, her fight for her children remained upon her knees. I am indebted for that!

As a proud mother of four, I have put into practice those life lessons. Mom was not perfect. Nor am I. Just ask my kids. They have learned by example there is a unique beauty within our failure. To fail is to learn how to triumph. It is fundamental to learning, growing, success, and redemption.

Just like Mama, I guide as I live. Just like I revered her, I feel it from my family. Yes. Motherhood has always been my calling from a little girl, and how grateful am I it was hers too.

Our Story Continues

 

 

 

 

 

 As long as we draw breath, our story continues. We may not always understand the whys and hows, but God holds us in the very palm of His Mighty Hand. I have written this a thousand times over.

So I am preaching to the choir.

I'm writing this now from the hospital bed on which I lay. Fourth stay since February. I admit that these past months have been quite gloomy. My usual optimistic smile is hard to find some days, with a possible outcome not in my favor.

However, my door of opportunities is wide open. I marvel at the compassionate hands that are an encouraging lifeline. My prayer is that I return in kind.

It's Gonna Be Alright

 

 

 

 

 

You would think by now I would have faith like a mustard seed, for I have witnessed miracles in my life and others. Why do I believe my present circumstances to be anything less? Trust, Hope, and Faith have sustained my entire existence, embodied within my soul.

I know! Every little thing is going to be alright. C.S. Lewis attested to that. "Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties." If my present struggles point to the One who carries me through the darkest hours? My life is complete!

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."     ~ Romans 8:18

Don't worry, about a thing
'Cause every little thing, gonna be all right
Singin', don't worry, about a thing
'Cause every little thing, gonna be all right
Rise up this mornin'
Smile with the risin' sun
Three little birds
Pitched by my doorstep
Singin' sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true
Sayin', "This is my message to you, whoo-hoo"
~ Bob Marley

"What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven't even happened."    ~ Anna Frank
 

Grief Comes in Waves

 

Grief comes in waves. So I have been told. For me, it is a tsunami of the soul. It came so fierce with the inundation of my health and emotions. One can never prepare for the aftermath of losing a beloved.

How do we continue through the depths of our sadness? We allow ourselves grace through our grief. My friend told me that. 

A Marvel Comic character said this one line that has stayed with me before, throughout, and shall always. "But what is grief, if not love persevering?" 

It is a process, this aching within our soul. I am learning to swim its course. To grasp the floating memories and love she left behind. And as its waters settle, share the remaining treasures upon its shores.

Mama's tribute

 

01/25/2023

My Tribute to Mom

Rest in Peace

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

• Winnie the Pooh

I think we can all attest to that quote. I know I can, One Thousand times over. I like to think of Mom's life as a magnificent tapestry filled with brilliant colors. Each strand attributes her journey. Her marriage of Fifty-two and half years to Daddy is a masterpiece. Every moment, trial, and triumph spun together, a legacy of its own.

Mom had a gentle and kind way about her. Even if you just met, you had a friend in Marilyn. Her Faith was unshakeable, and she loved without condition. She could be tenacious, bull-headed, and determined. Not all in a negative stance. Mom found immense joy in the outdoors. Her knowledge of birds and photography has passed through generations, as has her fondness for coloring and artistry.

Shortly before mom's hospitalization, she called to say she was ready for more girlfriend time, as was I. Growing up, we had our differences, as all child-parent relationships do. Looking back now, I see wisdom in the place of unreasoning. Guilt washed away by Grace. Forgiveness where we had faltered. Love witnessed in T-I-M-E.

She understood me. Sometimes more than I understood myself. We crossed over from just Mom and Daughter to best friends and kindred spirits. Laughter became our song. Oh. How I will miss that. She has impacted our lives, leaving beautiful imprints on our hearts. And we are all the better for having Marilyn Jean Blacksmith as a part of our lives.

Motherhood

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is 12:58 a.m., and I cannot sleep. My thoughts continue toward my Mom in the hospital two hours from home. I long to visit her as her mind and health falter, yet my circumstances keep me at bay. As my father held the phone to her ear, we both expressed our love for each other. She says, "she wants to hold me" Oh, how I wish she could.  

Growing up, we had our differences, as all parents do. Looking back now, I see the wisdom in the place of unreasoning. Guilt washed away by Grace. Forgiveness where we have faltered. Love witnessed in T-I-M-E.

I have four precious souls sleeping now. Three are my teen and grown children. Tears well up, and I hope they know how much they are loved and appreciated. Their childhood is etched forever in my mind. Prayers I've extended as they face the challenges of this world. To know their worth is priceless, incomparable, and worthy. I hope they will remember all the long hugs of great value as I am forever Mama, and that will never change.

We may not have tomorrow, but we have today. Embrace it. Life is a gift, and what we do with that gift changes lives. My Mom, with her love, faith, humor, and tenacity, has changed mine.