I finally opened up the notebook to see what’s written inside. I’ve been carrying it inside my purse for a week without opening it. The last entry on this notebook is dated November 18th, 2001, fifteen years, two months, and 17 days ago. I reflect with some sadness in knowing that the blank pages that follow it, are a tale of a life cut too short. Four days after her last entry my sister suddenly passed away at the age of 35.
This was her notebook. It doesn’t have many entries but I am surprised by its content. She used it to take sermon notes on Sunday mornings in church. The first entry dated October 28, 2001 is titled “Growing in the Seasons of Life”. The speaker…me. Little did I know that I would desperately need to understand those words in a few short weeks.
I read on remembering that time. The words jump off the page piercing through my heart. I need to hear these words today once again. Thank you Adma for taking notes.
I’ve always enjoyed a quiet confidence. From an early age I was encouraged to try new things, explore my strengths and not be scared by my weaknesses. I remember my friend David once telling me, “Things just seem to keep coming together for you!” I understood what he was trying to say. Although, we were both the same age, his young life had already weathered a lot more storms. However, there is no life lived without its share of storms and soon enough they came .
The loss of my sister shook my core. It brought on a torrent of emotions, questions and fears. Sometimes I felt all of them pounce on me at once. I struggled with the questions that came. I was in my early twenties at the time and enjoyed a beautiful relationship with her. The age difference of twelve years that once impeded deep conversations no longer mattered and we often leaned on each other for advice. We often met at a local bookstore and would flip through our favorite magazines and books then pick out which was the next journal we wished to buy.
I’ve learned that there is beauty in each season though sometimes it can be hard to see. I didn’t appreciate winters in Connecticut but now I wish I could experience a few snow days down here in the South! The beauty of freshly fallen snow is breath taking and the feelings it brings when you find yourself cuddled up with a good cup of hot chocolate and your favorite book is still a favorite memory for me.
Please join me this week as I share about life’s seasons…I pray it will be a blessing to your life.
