A Bittersweet Day

Yesterday I woke up thinking about my middle child, Steve.  51 years ago on that day, the Lord blessed us with his life, and it hardly seems possible the years have passed so swiftly.  In the photo below I was holding 8 lbs. of happiness and joy.  I can't physically hold him in my arms anymore, but he still brings us happiness and joy.

He loves Italian food, so we took him and his wife, Sharon, out to dinner last night at Da Francesco's.   When we arrived for our 6:30 reservations, the restaurant was full.  Aside from guests arriving and leaving wearing face masks, fears of COVID-19 seemed to be left outside the door.  In a world filled with care and turmoil, it was a nice escape if only briefly.  We had a nice quiet table in the corner.

While I celebrated the life of one loved one, I mourned the death of another.  I received a text from my cousin yesterday morning telling me my aunt went to be with Jesus at 6:15 a.m.  The good news is there's no COVID-19, rioting, social unrest, intolerance or hatred in Heaven!  My aunt was a happy person, and her and my mom used to laugh together a lot.  When I got the news of her passing I thought to myself, "She and mom will be giggling together in Heaven." 

I'm sharing photos of my sweet aunt that her grandson posted on Facebook yesterday.

This is probably the last picture we have of her as she neared the end of her earthly life, and she was smiling.  You can do that when you have hope of an eternal life that's better than anything imaginable on earth.  Scripture tells us Eye has not seen, nor ear heard... the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.

So now, I begin preparing my tribute to give at her funeral this Friday.  So thankful this parting is only temporary, and I'll see her again someday where we'll live together forever and ever.