Christmas Memories

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your family. I had a wonderful and blessed day with my husband and kids. We laughed, ate too much, opened presents and enjoyed each other so much. I also was able to take a nap, that was much needed.

I love Christmas for many reasons, Jesus birthday, family, food, fun, and...memories

Remember when I said I would share a story about this little rocking horse? He always brings back wonderful memories for me.
 
In December 1994 I went to a women's dinner and this was the centerpiece. After we ate I know we heard a wonderful speaker, I know the food was good, but the only thing I remember about that evening is who I went with and that I won this centerpiece at the end of the night.

I would like you to meet someone, this is my sister Emily. This picture was taken Christmas 1994,

The little girl is my daughter, she was 3 years old

If I could had seen what the future was going to be for her, I would had memorized every precious moment I had with her. You see, Emily is the person I went with to that dinner, and every year when I pull that rocking horse out I think about her and that night we shared, and I think about Christmas 1994.

 Emily passed away March 1995, suddenly from a brain aneurysm, it was such a shock for the whole family. She died 2 weeks before her 1st wedding anniversary, it was very hard on her husband. I also think about her on my birthday, because they were married the day after my birthday.

She was 26 years old, a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, and a special education teacher. She had just started her teaching career, and when her students came to her funeral they told us they knew she was a Christian, even though she never told them she was, they said they just knew. She taught in public school and wasn't allowed to speak about religion. Sometimes I think about those kids and wonder what they are doing now.

I can't believe it's been almost 17 years since she passed, it seems like yesterday we were talking, I do miss her a lot, especially this time of year. We never know when it's going to be the last time we see or talk to someone, one thing I'll always have are my memories, that's something that can never be taken away.

I don't know why she had to die, I do know that she is with Jesus and not in anymore pain, and I will see her again.

I just want to encourage anyone of you that if you have lost someone recently or it's been many years, hold on to your memories, and know that the Lord gave you those special moments so when you are missing them you have a memory to reflect on.

Love,
Jeanine