I just want to let everyone know I’m still here. I do have much to be thankful for in life, but my heart isn’t in writing this “365 Moments” segment every day right now. I know I will do it again, but right now I have to simply collect my thoughts, and take care of my family.
I will post an update hopefully here soon. In the mean time, I want you each to know how very much I value your friendship, and especially your prayers.
Right now, Skyline Church is in the midst of a series entitled “Heavy Bag.” This series is in place to discuss all the heavy things we all face. The timing of this particular message was absolutely God inspired for me, and – I’m sure – for countless others. Today, Pastor Lance spoke about the Heavy Bag of Grief. At some point in your life, you can probably relate to the feelings of grief. I know I can. Especially this week. I have experienced loss on several levels, and I can tell you this message really hit home.
If you have lost someone, said goodbye too early, or are just hurting in ways hard to put into words – this is for you. I encourage you to watch it, and allow the words to share hope.
I am grateful for this series.
Today, as many other days, I find myself grateful for friendship. As my best friend has lost her brother, I am grateful for a friendship that has spanned multiple decades now. I realize just how important friends are. This is one of the darkest times for her, and her family. It breaks my heart. That’s the thing about friends. Friends hurt together. My heart is broken, missing a very special person – and it’s broken — just knowing how much she is hurting. The point of this is not to talk about all this pain – but rather shine a bright light on the value of friendship.
It is a friend who will hold your hand, who will tell you it’s okay to cry, to make sure you know it’s also okay to not be okay — in the midst of what may seem like the darkest day you know. A friend is someone who knows you inside and out, and loves you still the same. A friend may not always agree with you, but won’t hesitate to tell you the truth, in love. A friend will run and play with you during the great times, and will not hesitate to be there with you in the troublesome times either.
I am just so very grateful for the gift of friendship today.
Here is a fair warning to those of you reading. Today’s post will be personal in nature, and not bright and cheery. It is, however, life. Life is unpredictable, and life carries no guarantees. Today I got a very sad telephone call, and it has caused much reflection on my part.
You see, my best friend (spanning decades now) sent me a message to let me know that they had bad shocking news, and that I needed to call. I know her well enough to know this was bad. My heart was heavy. So, I picked up the phone and called, and learned that my lifelong friend – that her brother unexpectedly passed away this morning.
While there is no part of me thankful for his passing, I AM ever so grateful to have known him. George was a unique soul. He was fun, twisted even. He had such a warped sense of humor. He was one those people who always had some new or ingenious way of putting a smile on your face. Growing up, we very much enjoyed picking on him, playing jokes, and just generally being silly. He was a silly human being, turned into a daddy, and also a husband. He knew the meaning of love, and loved his family like no tomorrow. While he always enjoyed being unique, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his family and friends. His passing away took everyone by total and complete surprise. He had just celebrated his 42nd birthday. My heart breaks with my best friend, and her entire family. Today we said goodbye far too soon to a friend, a brother, a daddy, a husband, and a son – an amazing person we all knew as George.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my friend today. As I mentioned, it breaks my heart that he is gone, but definitely thankful to have known him.
For those of you reading, if you have lost someone close to you – know that my heart goes out to you. I’d love the opportunity to pray for you, or to talk about your loved one. Please feel free to leave a comment or send me a message via my “contact me” page. I look forward to connecting with you.
Also, I’d like to take this moment to encourage you to do something I hope you already do regularly. Hug your loved ones. Tell them how much you care and love them. Never go to bed angry, and love like there is no tomorrow. For some, that is all too true. Tomorrow isn’t a guarantee. Live and love.
I just wanted to post real quick. I have been having computer issues, and also blog admin issues. I wanted to let those of you who have contacted me via email that yes, I’m still here! I have been making entries still daily, but haven’t yet been able to upload. I will pretty soon. They are just on a separate hard drive at this point. Long story, and several blue screens later, I have had some technical issues. I will post continue daily posts still moving forward, but will (hopefully soon) be able to fill in the gaps and upload the missing dates.
Thanks again for all who have reached out! I love you guys!
Living Life Unscripted 