In honor and memory of....

The month of September is a powerful month for our family! My mother’s birthday was the beginning of Sept…my birthday was always exactly 3 weeks from hers on the 26th, our (David and I) wedding anniversary is on the 28th, I used to tease David that he needed it that way to remember because his birthday is 2 days after Christmas. If our wedding pictures weren’t in storage I would post one now….but this one from our honeymoon will have to do...

Our Honeymoon to Disney World in 1996!

In 2005, my mother fell and broke her hip. It was a nasty fall, one that could have probably been prevented yet it still occurred. She had surgery on my birthday, then had some complications afterwards and passed on the 28th, (our wedding anniversary). That day will be one that I will never forget for obvious reasons but there are also others. The past few years have been difficult however time helps with that. Note to self, never try and crack a joke after a close loved one passes away unless you know all parties in the room have a sense of humor! That’s all I will say about that!

my mother, Vivian L. J. Maxwell

This year has been a difficult one for my cousins. I have been there for them in spirit and in prayers, but sometimes that just doesn’t feel like enough, but when it’s all you can do, it’s all you can do. For 37 years I shared a birthday with my aunt, I remember being told on more than one occasion that I was her birthday present, what an honor for me. It was awesome to share a birthday with such an amazing woman. One week ago today was our birthday! She went home to be with the Lord, and on her birthday! How awesome is that? Being called home the same day you entered this world!

my aunt, Martha L. Maxwell

my aunt and uncle, Martha L. & Rex J. Maxwell

So when I was talking with my cousin last Saturday morning when they knew she was not going to make it through the day, I prayed for something that I could say or something that would put the family there and elsewhere at peace during that time. So this passage came to me…

…Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 -- Humbly obey God regardless of present circumstances, and in his good time-either in this life or the next – He will life you up. Don’t submit to circumstances, but to the Lord who controls circumstances…

So Thursday of this week, the family will came together and celebrated Martha’s wonderful life…Oh how I wish I could have been there… but the families that were not there in person were most definitely there in spirit.

To Rex and Martha’s children, Jeff, Brent, Anne and Phillip, and their families I pray that you are given peace and joy this week and the weeks and months ahead. I love you all!!