Seven Years Ago

Seven years ago, our Faith was born sleeping, into her Father's arms. She was carried on wings of angels to a place where she knows no pain or sorrow, only joy. A place that my heart longs to be. Seven years ago. Wow. When I wrote Faith-7 on the 2011 calendar, Bill said, "Wow, Faith would have been 7." It was hard for me to believe too. In some ways it feels like yesterday that we said goodbye, and in others, it feels like a lifetime ago. That's the part that scares me. I don't want to let her go, I don't want to forget her. But I realize that I haven't. I really believe that God has gifted me with reminders of her. I don't think one day has gone by that her name hasn't popped into my head. Whether it be for a fleeting second, or because one of my dear friends has told me they were thinking of her, or because Rori has reminded me about her. Somehow, each day, God has given her to me for a brief moment. Sometimes it has the ability to stop me in my tracks--like when I met Rori's teacher and she told me that Rori told her about her family, including her sister in Heaven. Or it brings me to tears in my office at work, when my friend texts me that her girls were talking about someday meeting Faith. Or a friend, who walked through the valley with me, lets me know that she hasn't forgotten Faith's birthday. Or when I am at home and look above the television and see the cross-stitch a co-worker made for me with her name and verse. God has been good. He has given me reminders of her, and hope for what awaits me in eternity.

Seven years ago I didn't know how I would ever get out of bed again. Today there are three little people that make sure I get out of bed every morning! And there is one little girl in Heaven that makes sure that I teach those three little people about Him so that we can one day be the family of six. I long for that day. The day that I will show her off the way a new mom shows off her new baby. I will be honored to introduce her to her sister who longs to know her and her brothers who would adore her.

But for now, we will make cupcakes, sing Happy Birthday, and thank Jesus for His sacrifice that brings hope and peace to our family.