Journal entry by Michael Barmada —
Spring has arrived.
It's time to play outside.
The waterfall is begging to flow.
What a wonderful reminder of the sunny glow of warm friendships, the babble of children's chatter, the refreshing spring of faith...
It was during this Easter season that Mary-Claire lost her biref battle with cancer but won her place in heaven.
While there are still days when we can't breathe for the longing we feel to hold her, listen to her thoughts and watch her strong body play in the sunshine, we are always comforted. We can feel that Mary-Claire is nearby. We can feel the presence of God. We are not alone.
I'd like to tell you a little story.
I was telling a new friend about Mary-Claire and the wonder of friendship we discovered during her last months. I described the dinners, the visits, the calls, the cards, the gifts, the relics and holy water. I described the waterfall and the art that surrounds it.
I mentioned how sweet was the red glass heart that appeared one day. Just the kind of thing a little girl would love.
Just after this discussion I was sorting some used toys for work. They were all small things, legos, GI joes, erasers, marbles... 20 pounds of things smaller than a matchbox car.
In the very bottom of the bin were two tiny red glass hearts. The same exact dimensions as the heart in the waterfall, but pocket sized. One for mom and one for dad.
I carry mine with me as a reminder that although I have a longing for my loved ones in Heaven, they long for me too.
This week Christ accepts his destiny. Through his death, Christ saved mankind from bondage to sin, and He destroyed the hold that death has on all of us.
It is His Resurrection that gives us the promise of new life, both in this world and the next.
During this most important week for followers of Christ, I wish you the sense of comfort and appreciation for the sacrifice Christ made when he opened his arms on the cross. And I hope you get the chance to feel, as I occasionally do, that he is waiting and longing for you.
Blessings to you for Easter.
Christina
It's time to play outside.
The waterfall is begging to flow.
What a wonderful reminder of the sunny glow of warm friendships, the babble of children's chatter, the refreshing spring of faith...
It was during this Easter season that Mary-Claire lost her biref battle with cancer but won her place in heaven.
While there are still days when we can't breathe for the longing we feel to hold her, listen to her thoughts and watch her strong body play in the sunshine, we are always comforted. We can feel that Mary-Claire is nearby. We can feel the presence of God. We are not alone.
I'd like to tell you a little story.
I was telling a new friend about Mary-Claire and the wonder of friendship we discovered during her last months. I described the dinners, the visits, the calls, the cards, the gifts, the relics and holy water. I described the waterfall and the art that surrounds it.
I mentioned how sweet was the red glass heart that appeared one day. Just the kind of thing a little girl would love.
Just after this discussion I was sorting some used toys for work. They were all small things, legos, GI joes, erasers, marbles... 20 pounds of things smaller than a matchbox car.
In the very bottom of the bin were two tiny red glass hearts. The same exact dimensions as the heart in the waterfall, but pocket sized. One for mom and one for dad.
I carry mine with me as a reminder that although I have a longing for my loved ones in Heaven, they long for me too.
This week Christ accepts his destiny. Through his death, Christ saved mankind from bondage to sin, and He destroyed the hold that death has on all of us.
It is His Resurrection that gives us the promise of new life, both in this world and the next.
During this most important week for followers of Christ, I wish you the sense of comfort and appreciation for the sacrifice Christ made when he opened his arms on the cross. And I hope you get the chance to feel, as I occasionally do, that he is waiting and longing for you.
Blessings to you for Easter.
Christina
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