Aunt Renee... She Was...

Last weekend Kyle & I were able to get away for a few days to do our Christmas shopping. Typically this annual get-away is a relaxed, fun & exciting time together but this year we both had so much on our hearts & minds... It was still wonderful :) as we sat each morning & visited over a cup of coffee, got around for the day & then strolled through malls & stores yet our hearts were heavy. We talked through a lot of things that were weighing in on us, opened God's Word for direction, encouragement & wisdom & just relished in being together...alone!

Saturday morning as we were lining out the remainder of our time, I received a text from my mom that immediately indicated something wasn't right..."Call me"... It's not like Mom to be so pointed & abrupt so I immediately opened my phone & dialed her number. "They think that Aunt Renee' has had a heart attack... Uncle Randy called trying to reach Troy... The ambulance was called... They have life-flighted her... I will let you know when I know more..." We were two hours away in either direction... Two hours from Dad & Mom... Two hours from where Aunt Renee' was being flown... A feeling of helplessness to say the least.

Within an hour, Mom called back to say that this one I deeply loved had entered into the gates of Heaven... Into the presence of Jesus... Most probably a virus that directly affected her heart...

I wept...

This has been one of the hardest realities that I have ever had to face in my life... The loss of someone I loved with no real explanation... Not a car accident... Not cancer... Not sickness...

She was...
*young
*vibrant
*full-of-life
*overflowing with love
*the definition of joy
*as near perfect as one could be
*gracious
*kind
*beautiful
*always smiling
*angelic in nature...spiritually & physically
*the one who "introduced" me to "the city"
*the one who bought me my first pair of "high heels"...cork none-the-less...
*the one who applied my first lip gloss
*the one who gave the funnest Christmas presents
*the one who took me on vacation with their family

Aunt Renee'...
*never slept
*always gave
*never criticized
*loved her kids like no other mom I know
*adored children
*had a passion for horses
*literally glowed
*never complained
*very rarely got "worked up" about anything
*had the curliest hair & most beautiful dimples
*was simple
*was the definition of wonderful

(Aunt Renee' holding Mal/protecting her from Uncle Randy :)
on one of our many family cruises together.)

It's been a painful reality for our family to face yet God promises hope in the midst of heartache. He promises peace in the midst of trial. He promises strength when we are weak. He promises certainty even when we don't understand. He promises that He is sovereign when we are inclined to ask "why". He promises that He has a reason & purpose for ALL things. He promises that His ways & thoughts are higher than ours. He promises that His grace is sufficient. He promises that He will walk with us even through the darkest of nights. He promises Heaven for those who walk with Jesus. He promises life & life more abundant...

Remembering someone who has forever changed my life...
Remembering someone who I can learn much from...
Remembering a beautiful woman who I can only hope to emulate...

She has cast her crown at the feet of Jesus...
I can only imagine what her eyes behold...
I long for the day that I will one day meet her on the other side...

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥