One Long Year

Dearest Mom,

It was a very hard day for us... for me.  Your absence is still felt deeply in each and every one of my days.  I still start to call you all the time... and I can hear your voice at the times I need to.  I'm reminded over and over again just how important you are to me.

I know you're not really gone.  The faith you instilled in me absolutely shouts at me that you are in Heaven right now.  I know you are praying for all of us.  I really do know and believe these things.

But, God help me, I still miss you so damn much.

Today, I will honor your memory by doing the things you liked to do on Sundays.  As I do them, I will think of you.  I may cry once or twice today (or twenty times), but I will also smile many times.

Your life mattered.  The things you did on this Earth will echo for generations to come.  No one has ever defined success as well as Emerson did with the below poem.  I can offer no greater tribute to you than to dedicate it to you.

Love you more...

Success

To laugh often and love much;
to win the respect of intelligent persons
and the affection of children;
to earn the approbation of honest critics
and to endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to give of one's self;
to leave the world a little better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
to have played and laughed with enthusiasm
and sung with exultation;
to know that even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived,
this is to have succeeded.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

On this day:

Requiescat in pace, Margie Ann...

-kmg

GOOD NEWS - AGAIN (and again)

Have you heard??  There is great and joyous news today!!

The people in darkness have seen a great light...

[ After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow.
The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. 
Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ Behold, I have told you.”
Then they went away quickly from the tomb, fearful yet overjoyed, and ran to announce this to his disciples.
And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them. They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” ] Matthew 28: 1-10

Praise be to Almighty God!

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!! 

-kmg