Prayerfully Calm and Keeping On
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Celebrating Life
We celebrated Alivia’s 11th birthday earlier this week. She is amazing. She is beautiful and smart. She loves reading and art. She is athletic and competitive. Her favorite sport is swimming. She is in the sixth grade. She is nearly as tall me. She has already taken over my shoes. I imagine she will be looking down on me in a year or two.
Above all else, I want her to know that she is extremely special and God has an extraordinary plan for her life. I want her to know that anything and everything is possible with God.
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. ”
Joy and Pain
Six years ago, I missed her 5th birthday party. Family friends swooped in and took over the reins of the festivities. We were celebrating Alivia’s life, but her father’s health was rapidly declining. Although in inpatient Hospice, I held out hope for a miracle for her father, whose body was ravaged by lung cancer.
There was no healing this side of eternity.
Celebrating Legacy
I write this on the evening of September 29, 2020. I woke up to get ready for the day. As a part of my morning I wrote the date, Ugh. I don’t like remembering Antonio’s death. It was 6 years ago today.
I much prefer to remember and celebrate Antonio’s life. He was an exceptional man and he taught me a lot. We were married in 2008 and together we gave the world Alivia and Audrey. His legacy lives on through them.
full of joy, my girls are dancing in the crown fountain, chicago
Instead of lamenting his death, we celebrate his life. Since Antonio’s passing, for his birthday in June, we have gone to Chicago every year. Antonio was born there. We have invited his family and friends to share time with us in Chicago. This year was the first exception.
Arlen and Kristine Wiley and their family with us after sharing over dinner in chicago ( arlen was in a business fellowship with antonio)
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.. ”
Haslyn, Kayondi and their family + granny (antonio’s mom) + cousin Pam at the navy pier in chicago. (Haslyn was best of freinds with Antonio since wake forest)
“A new command I give: I give you: Love one another. As I loved you, so you must love one another.”
Grogan family + Granny with us in a water taxi on the chicago river ( chris grogran (taking picture) friend of antonio’s from grad school at kellogg school of business)
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you”
Elton’s children and my girls at the Navy pier in chicago. (elton was best of friends with Antonio since wake forest)
Love always Perseveres
On any given week, I have a myriad of emotions that I must manage. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Every day I seek to effect change because so many of us are sleep walking through our existence. I was awakened by the passing of my husband and further compelled by the passing of my mom that life should be lived boldly in pursuit of our God given dreams and purpose. While I have accomplished so much, we are all capable of so much more together in Christ.
We make every effort to make the most of every moment everyday. Love is God’s greatest vehicle to effect change. Anger, bitterness, fear, anxiety, impatience, and love cannot occupy the same space. I choose love. I recommit to love daily. God has a plan.
“Love is Patient, love is kind. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, 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. ”
The last post I wrote was nearly two years ago. I have been grieving, slaying giants, raising champions, and growing in faith.