There is a time to live and a time to die....

These words are taken from the book of Ecclesiastes.

They speak volumes into my life right now. Since the home-going of mom, I have been focused on the second half of this verse.

But I do find myself living in spring and new life is all around us. The irony is that as mom went to her eternal home, her REAL life started. Although, her life ended here, the life she so looked forward to is just beginning.

There were so many beautiful flowers budding in Tennessee as I took care of mom.

When we arrived home from Tennessee we had a pleasant surprise from a mother wren. She made a nest in a plant near our front door. We have had the privilege of watching her flitter and fly to and from the nest as she laid 5 eggs in her little home. She is the perfect picture of motherhood...again bringing my mind back to my gentle mother.

Spring is definitely the season of new birth, not just the physical birth here on earth. This spring became the season of new birth for my precious mother. Because of her coming to a second birth here on earth, she is now experiencing the incomparible joy of new life.

Dream or Reality?

I arrived home on Tuesday evening from Tennessee and my emotions immediately hit me head on.

I felt as if the last 3 weeks have been a dream of some sort...like everything would be back to normal soon.

This is not to be. Mom is gone forever from this earth and I am sad. Every day I think of something I need to tell her and desperately want to call her, but she will not answer her phone.

Although I am melancholy, I still have hope eternal. This hope comes from knowing the Creator, my Sustainer. He has given eternal life to all who come to Him by faith. Mom is experiencing joy and peace everlasting.

I am sad. So sad, I cannot express it at times. But I know deep down inside that I will see Mom again.

She isn't dead; she is alive. She didn't die forever; she just moved from one home to the next.

And I know I will be with her again.

One thing mom's death has done for me: I fear death less and hope for heaven more.

May these thoughts remain forever.

With Jesus

Today at 4:30 a.m. mom went home to be with the Lord. We are all grieving and hurting, but we know that our precious mom is not hurting and sitting at Jesus' feet.

Yesterday, my sister in law sent a care package to mom. She had a note with lots of love. Amber had also included a beautiful tiara that sparkled and shone. We put it on her head and spoke the Word to her:

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Although this crown was earthly she is now wearing her heavenly crown...for she is a princess, child of the king.

She will be missed greatly...but we will see her again.

We love you, mom.

You have left an eternal legacy.