My Sweet 16 Surprise Party...our smiles say it all!
1/12/22
Thirty three years ago a new normal began for me. The man I loved more than any other man on earth died. He was my hero and the kindest man I knew. He showed us what it was like to truly honor and cherish a woman in the way he loved our mom. Being "Billy's Baby" will always be one of my favorite titles, if I'm being honest. As one of his daughters, I was treated with love and respect, and believed I could do anything with Christ by my side. He worked tirelessly. He loved to tell a joke. He loved music. He served behind the scenes at church and always looked out for those that others overlooked. He believed that God still performed miracles and felt His presence. He modeled dignity and grace in suffering, pain, and finally, in death.As the end of his life was nearing and he was losing strength in his voice, one of the last hymns he was able to sing in church was "And Can It Be," by Charles Wesley. We sang it again at his Memorial Service. I remember singing verses 4 & 5, with tears streaming, and thinking of this man I loved so much. How could I mourn when I knew the miracle that had happened had freed his body to heaven?
Long my imprisoned spirit lay
fast bound in sin and nature's night
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread:
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the-eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
When my new normal began, it was one of the hardest roads on which I would journey. But I know I am who I am today because of that journey. Even though our time together was too short in my earthly estimation, I cherish each day that we did have. That new normal would prepare me thirty years later when my sweet and amazing mama joined him in heaven. What a gift to have two parents that loved each other deeply, encouraged and cheered me on, and most of all pointed me to Christ!
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