As Long As There Is 'Us'

Yesterday morning my mom, sisters and sister-in-laws 

gathered in a joyful celebration; a birthday...

Happy birthday, Karen 🎂🌷

(picture used with permission; photographer my sister, Lucy)

(click HERE for a record of some of the prayer requests

shared over the years for Karen and my brother Dave, her husband.

 

We were each invited to bring approx. 6 stems of white, pink and/or purple flowers to

create one big bouquet from all of us💗💜💗

Yesterday afternoon a community of mourners gathered

(after a tragedy mentioned HERE and HERE)

to remember the life of a dearly beloved woman; 

a wife, mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, neighbor, friend, 

mentor, counsellor, etc. to so many...

Gatherings like this are a solemn reminder to all of 'us' 

to be more mindful (once again) 

of something we can easily take for granted; 

each other.

As grieving friends and family shared

there was a common theme; to choose, above all else-

gratitude for the gift of her life 

and love they shared with her.

As long as there is ‘us’; mom, dad, spouse, sister and brother

Neighbors, friends, both far and near, we have a gift; each other

No two of us are quite alike, created tenderly

By He who's written all our days before one comes to be

As long as there is us, until that day when death doth part

We ought to live to love each other with all of our heart

Because life is a fragile thing; we cannot see how far

From farewell’s fond and unrelenting, rending reach we are

So then, let’s love each other without verbal fist-a-cuff

Let’s recognize the gift of now, and make the most of love

Because life grants no guarantees, let’s be patient and kind

For no one knows who next will leave love’s gaping hole behind

As long as there is ‘us’ let’s write Our Story with love’s ink

Rather than take for granted what can be gone in a wink

Let’s look each other in the eye and hold each other near

Before the gift of ‘us’ frames joy in sorrow’s tender tear

As long as there is ‘us’ let’s keep each other in our prayers

Let’s make moments to cherish in the thick of common cares

And be more humbly mindful of the gift we call today

Then, be a living ‘thank-you’ to the Giver, while we may

© Janet Martin

Psalm 139:16

Your eyes saw my unformed body; 

all the days ordained for me were written in your book

 before one of them came to be.

Yesterday evening this post (click link in title)

 from Ann Voskamp was in my inbox!

Especially profound in the light of recent events...

How Is Loss a Gift?

( About grief, gratitude and the gifts of God )