Shattered Dreams

We loved you from the very start, you stole our breath, you embraced our hopes and dreams.  You are a part of us sweet little one, and will live forever within our hearts.  Her name is Alaina Pearl.  Jesus calls her His angel.  She is also our angel, looking over us each day...Comforting her Mama and Daddy by blowing them sweet kisses each day. 

Life is so precious… grab it and hold on tight, never take anyone for granted as they can be taken from you in a heartbeat.  Tell them you love them every day. 

Why?  We asked that question over and over.  We still have no answer.  I feel like the harder I press for the answer the less likely it is to come. I guess time will tell, and maybe it won’t.  We struggle with the pain, the grief, the sorrow, and even anger for the unfairness of it all. I watch as my only child suffers mentally and physically…now she suffers a huge loss and has an empty spot in her big heart.  A spot that holds love for her baby and an over whelming sorrow that she is no longer here with us. I guess time and strength given through God will heal all that hurts.  But the memories never fade or go away.  Alaina came into this world quietly and left it with tiny angel wings.  She is loved.  She is precious.  She was our miracle. To love that precious little one is a love like no other.   It’s amazing how much you can love her when you never got to cuddle her in your arms, never got to look into her beautiful eyes, or see her precious smile as she giggled.

To lose someone you love is to alter your life forever…The pain weakens, there are others that come into your life, but the gap never closes…you never forget…The hole in your heart is the shape of the one you lost ~ no one else can fit in it.

Alaina sweet angel

I will visit with you in my dreams.  We will play together, read books, laugh and be silly and bake cookies.  I will love you forever and you will never be forgotten.  I will see you in heaven one day…Save a place for me.

Love, Your Grammie

Sometimes the things we cannot change…end up changing us~ 

 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit

Psalm 34:18

Catching Up and Some Excitement

Gosh….I have missed being here!! So much as transpired since my computer went to its final resting place….now replaced with one that is more up-to-date and awesome. This 23” touchscreen is awesome! I’m back in the groove. As I told you in my last post, Mama fell and broke her hip…she is doing great now, having made it through a tough surgery and rehab, she is now walking with the aid of a walker…says she’s going to drive herself to an appointment next week…..guess we’ll see! God is good.

Now for the most awesome news of all…a miracle and a true blessing indeed!   My daughter, Holly, is pregnant!!! Yes, yes….I’m going to be a Grammie!!! Finally! We are all so excited!

Long story short…she and her hubby Richard were told they would not be able to conceive on their own, so after a few failed procedures; they caved, gave up and God blessed them! It’s all about His timing…right? Oh yes it is! Holly is right at 18 weeks along and will soon find out if we going to be buying pink or blue!

*insert huge smile and a giggle here*
I almost cannot contain my excitement! Their hopes and dreams were mine and now they are a reality for this family. Our first grandchild from an only child, a 10th great grand for my MIL and a 3rd great for my Mama and Daddy! Life is grand and great and most definitely 

What a wonderful Christmas it will be this year….with a due date of December 27th!

I will be staying busy from now until then….I have a rocker to paint and sew a pad for; I have bedding to sew for the antique cradle Jackie bought; and I have to sew a new high chair cover so that it will match Holly’s breakfast room. Plus I will have to throw in a few several trips to Jacksonville to see my growing daughter! Let the baby shopping begin!!!! *happy dancing*

Switching gears a bit…..I’m still saddened by the loss of my blogging friend, Char. I still cannot believe she is gone from us. She is truly missed and thought of often. Read one of my favorite posts by her, here~ A beautiful write with a beautiful imagination, which will carry you away. *I miss you my friend and fellow photographer*  Life is precious and fleeting, live it well, share it with others, and keep God in the mix…always! Build those memories...because sometimes that is all we are left with.  Quoting a friend of mine…"Took my grandsons fishing today. Caught nothing but memories."  How sweet is that?

I will be keeping you up to date as we stroll through the next 5 months, with our growing baby...as I know many of you can relate to this excitement with me. Until next time, which may be after a visit to Florida *heehee*... take care and blessings to you all.

Love Thy Neighbor: Storms in Life

As many of you know, my home state of Alabama was ravaged by tornados Wednesday. It is devastating to hear the news reports and view the aftermath of an act of nature. Most of the following photos are of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, home of our University of Alabama and Crimson Tide. Roll Tide Roll! Auburn University has your back…War Eagle! There were also lots of other areas that were affected throughout the northern portion of the state. The death toll has reached over 200 at this point.  We were only affected by some heavy thunderstorms in my southern portion of the state. My heart goes out to these people as they attempt to pick up the pieces and put their lives back together again. Please help me pray for them….power in numbers is even greater.


I DO NOT take credit for any of these incredible photos. They are borrowed from Jason Clark and Michael E. Palmer.

I will let them speak for themselves.  The devastation is unbelievable.

 

...And the mighty cross still stands above all...

As you scroll through these heart wrenching photos, I know your heart is touched as was mine. They speak volumes of feelings and the reality of it all. The pain is real, the tears are real, and the devastation is real.  But we will prevail, as a community, as a city, as a state and as a great country helping one another out of heartfelt love and compassion. God has commanded us to love thy neighbor...  God is already at work…in our hearts, in our souls and in our world.

"Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

Joshua 1:9

Love is raining down on the world tonight

Loving and praying for my neighbors everywhere,

Cora

Side notes from last post: I did not get picked for jury duty and my MIL is home and feeling much better. Thanks for your continued prayers my friends.

In Memory

…of a young friend, a beautiful energetic loving soul…a friend to my daughter Holly. They grew up together, played together, had sleepovers together, won athletic awards together, and had fun together. They were friends, buddies, team mates, and pals. Brittany was her name. Through years of playing softball, they became a team of two...when Holly pitched, Brittany caught behind the plate. My scrapbooks became filled with pages and pages of sweet youthful memories of the two of them.

Brittany grew to become a beautiful young woman. She was our Miss Ozark and went on to become The Miss National Peanut Queen.
Brittany was 24 when she lost her precious life in a tragic automobile accident last night which involved another mother who had had a seizure while driving, when they met face to face on the road. Hearts are breaking and hurting and crying out for some understanding.

Brittany was a daughter, a sister, a wife, a friend, a teacher and a mother. A mother to a 14 month old little boy named Shep. Brittany is with Jesus, seated at the foot of His throne in Heaven, holding Shep in her arms.

Shep was in the car with his Mommy last night.

Dear Lord please comfort these families in the loss of Brittany and Shep. They are hurting and breaking apart. They do not understand and are in utter shock and pain. Give them peace that only You can offer, give them rest in these weary days and nights ahead of them. If Heaven could possible get any better than it already is….it just did when it received these two sweet beautiful angels.

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word.

~Psalm 119:28

Please pray with me for the Shepard/Pugh, and Adams families.
The Adams children have lost their mother.  Life is just too short and sweet.

~The beautiful photographs found here were taken by Haiden Woodall, please visit her here.

May the Lord bless you and keep you,

and make His face to shine upon you
and give you peace.

How Does Someone Go On?

Flooding with emotions and thoughts of sadness, my brain is running rampant and full of questions…as life continues forward. These have been days of heavy grief and deep sorrow as I watched a family of friends mourn and let go.

I saw tears. I saw weeping. I heard sniffles. I heard words of consolation. Sorrow. Heartache. There was despondency and lots of shock. Food was brought and shared... that’s what we do in the south when mere words are never quite right. Hugs…lots of tight embraces... when there is no need for words. Food. Lots of food…it’s what we do, like comfort can be found there.

Grown men cry while wearing a look of trepidation as they wait to carry their friend with respect. The church is full, standing room only. I heard the words as Beulah Land was sang and a vision danced in my head. Tissues were passed. The lump in my throat continued to swell, as I looked for something to fan myself with…saying to myself… "don’t lock your knees or you will pass out" and wondering "why do heels hurt your feet so much from standing so long".  Heads were hung in sadness and sorry.
Co-op employees looked like tin soldiers dressed alike with their hats in hand as they lined the walls down the inside of the church.

You cry, I cry with you. You grieve, my heart aches for you. You are lost and now lonely, my heart aches for you. The sun continues to shine…life as you know it is different yet still it goes on the same. Different as the world is less one person now, one soul, one friend, one husband, one dad, one granddad…one…

Words were spoken, verses were quoted, and music flowed around the words of Amazing Grace as it was offered up.  Flowers gave the look of a full spring. The sun was high and bright and warm as a gentle cool February breeze touched my heart and dried my tears. I looked toward the sun to heaven. A prayer was spoken and heard.

The church pew where we all sit each Sunday, will never be the same again...

Old friends, that time had separated, were seen again. Hands were held, support was given in some small way.  More hugs… Times were reminisced and collected to enjoy again. There were questions with no answers. There was a quick thought of "what do we do now?"  We will go on... but how does a son continue without his dad beside him on the farm…How does he watch his little newborn daughter grow without ever knowing her Granddad? How does a daughter go on without the love of knowing that her Dad was always there…How does a young grandson continue to grow up without him anymore? How does a wife, whom he had know since they were 15, go on? Their empty house is too quiet especially at night….at bedtime. 

How?

How can anyone go on without knowing that peace that comes without understanding? That peace and comfort that only Jesus can offer…How can anyone go on without HIM?   HE, is how you go on… This family will go on.

Death is not partial to the friends he makes.

Jesus is not partial either;

He wants all of us as His friend…for eternity.

 May you find that peace,

Cora

 

Deep Thoughts

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for all the wonderful Birthday wishes. It was a great day. You all made it extra special with your visit. The rest of my week proved to be rather glum and miserable. It was down right crappy! Death crept into my week like a big black blanket covering those things bright and happy, even though the sun was still shining. While death is a part of living, it is most definitely inevitable and cannot be avoided. It is much harder to deal with than most other experiences.

Death. Death is among us. Death takes life from us leaving us with questions, thoughts, pain, and a sense of defeat.

~Losing a special mentor in Christ is hard; A man who taught us much; Someone who led us down that path where we found Jesus. The man who baptized us in the cleansing waters of redemption. The man who ministered to us in the direction of dedicating our child to a home built around a loving God. The man who spoke meaningful words as we laid a beloved family member in peaceful sleep as he was carried away on angel's wings. The man who preformed a beautiful ceremony in the presence of the Lord where our daughter was married to the love of her life. The man who was there…always there when someone needed him. He was the man who will be remembered for many things; many acts of kindness, inspirational words spoken through Christ; prayers…many many prayers which were lifted up to the heavens. His legacy is great.

~Losing a friend is hard yet…A family friend. A fellow hunter, builder of beautiful custom homes in our area, a man who always wore a jolly laughing smile, a brother to 3, a daddy to 2, a papa to 1 and a husband. His parents buried him. He did not get to grow old. Standing in a long line for hours to pay respects illustrates a man’s life, how well he was known, respected, and loved. His legacy is great.

Last week-Tears were shed, hearts were broken, plans were changed, life was cheated, food was spread, and people gathered in love with hugs…many many hugs… Mementos and photos were shared, representing the trades and talents of how their life was spent, of family, and of good times. People needing people.

Bear ye one another's burdens…

Galatians 6:2

Life goes on…for those of us left here…as we recover, reminisce, cherish, bereave, and go on without those special people. We try to memorize their smile, their expressions, their laughter and their voice. A legacy is what we are left with.

Yet I wonder about myself~What will be my mementos spread out for friends to see? My camera, my art work, my scrapbooks, and photographs….thousands of photos? My bible with all its scribblings, tattered and torn? What will people remember when they think of me? Death is so unexpected and mysterious. It comes like a thief in the night, stealing and robbing us. There are questions without answers. Questions about our current daily lives…Is our job on earth being done well? Is our purpose being fulfilled? Am I serving the way I should….can I do things better? What will I be remembered for? What did I do that people will think back on and smile? Will they remember good times, good laughs, tender moments, quiet times, joyous occasions, or the simple things I did or said? What will be my legacy? But no matter my legacy…my destination is Heaven.
I know without a shadow of doubt that I am going to Heaven and it is going to piss the devil off when I die…But I’m good with that. I love disappointing the devil, for it is not him that I live for. I hope you will disappoint the devil too.

Sometimes things don't work out quite the way

that you wanted them to

Sometimes people don't do all the things

that you wanted them to

There are times when

the answers aren't easy to see

Sometimes we're on a road

going back to a place we never wanted to be

Well that's alright

I'm just fine. Done made up my mind

that I'm livin for Jesus

When I'm alone and feeling down

Now, down so deep in my heart

I turn to Jesus and ask Him

for a brand new start

He's the reason for my life

being something better and new

And now I've finally found a love

that is proven tried and true.

Third Day “Living for Jesus” lyrics

…if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,

but have not love, I gain nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:2-3

In other words my life is pointless without the

showing and giving of love, one for another.

Fear knocked at the door.

Faith answered.

And lo, no one was there.

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed happy week!

Gloom and glum be gone!  =)