Last night, Bob and I went to the Godspeed Concert to celebrate Holli's life. It turned out to be an awesome event filled with praise and worship. It was an evening where we not only celebrated Holli's life, but gave praise to Jesus who made forever together possible. For everyone who new Holli, even if it was for one song, will never forget her. She had a captivating smile, an open, friendly personality, and the voice of an angel. It is difficult for all who loved her to believe that she has left this earth and entered into Heaven.
It is hard to wrap yourself around the fact that this healthy young Mother of two died. To think she died of H1N1 is almost impossible. She was healthy with no preexisting conditions, and she was the only person in her family to become ill. Yet, this new ugly virus, stole her beautiful life.
However, the time has come that we must celebrate her life, and say good-bye. We will never forget Holli's great service, or her beautiful voice. It is time to put Holli in that special place in our hearts that is saved for those we will never forget. It is time to go forward. It is time to start again.
Bob and I stayed at the concert until the bitter end. We didn't arrive home until after 11PM. For anyone who knows us, staying awake until this time is unusual. For us to be out and about at 11PM is unheard off.
We drove into our underground garage and as we were heading for our Condo, something caught my eye. Sitting atop the mailboxes was a tattered brown envelope which had been opened. I didn't have my glasses on, but I reached for it anyway. I held it close to my eyes, and saw that it was for Mom, Grandma, and Bob.:) It was for us!
It definitely had been ripped open. I guess someone received the envelope in error and in an episode of curiosity, tore it open. Once they realized that it was filled with children's school work, they took it back to the mailboxes and set it on top. Obviously to them, it had no worth. However, to Bob and I, it was found treasure.
We took it upstairs and sat up until after 12AM going through each precious piece of paper. We looked at the little written letters and colorings. These simple gifts of colored paper really lightened our mood. It has been a difficult six weeks for Bob and I. Lots has happened. We have made many adjustments and our lives have changed forever. Bob sold his business of 40 years, our house in Montana really has walls, my Mom and I are adjusting to a gluten free diet, the 2009 Walk to Cure Diabetes was a marvelous success, our Little Kitty died, Holli became sick and fought for weeks for her life, and I faced lay off, and will again in January.
Although, somehow this tattered brown envelope filled with Candy Heart school work seem to make us feel better. Even though we have been through great change, these little pieces of paper reminded us that we have so much to look forward to. Soon, we are going to begin a new life in a new place. We are going to leave behind so much that we want to forget. Life will go on, even though for a while I wondered if it would. Grief darkens the soul.
However, these small pieces of paper covered with grandchildren's handwriting suddenly turned on the lights. We are blessed. We love each other, and together, we are going to be OK. After feeling so down, it really felt good to understand how very lucky we are. A brown tattered envelope, filled with paper treasure offered us something that we were lacking. For a while, we were lacking a little word called, hope. Hope that for even two
gentle aged people facing many challenges, life will go on, and will go on well.
Tomorrow morning, I am going to be a new Grandma for the sixth time. My youngest son, Todd and his wife, Colleen will be welcoming a new little boy named, Kiernan Mark.
Nothing removes the sting of death more than the beginning of new life. Soon, I will be holding another baby boy who will carry the name, Mark. I can hardly wait.
So, please forgive me if I start the Christmas Season early. I have life to celebrate.
