Please Remember...

There have been so many wonderful blog posts leading up to this first day of Advent. My head fairly spins with good ideas. But there is a poignancy to this season that trumps the busy-ness for me.

Last year, at this time, my friend Nicole was hungrily buying a lifetime supply of Christmas ornaments--literally.  She wrapped and labelled one for each of her three children to be opened every Christmas of their childhoods.

In March of last year, our friend Missey died in childbirth. 

Nicole died in July.

Lorrie died Thanksgiving Day.

Last Christmas was the last Christmas for all three of those ladies.  What if this is the last year we have to prepare for the babe in the manger?  What if this is the last year to make memories? What lessons do we really, really want to teach as if they were the last chance to shape a mind and a soul?

Missey had no idea she was going to die.  But this is how she spent last December:  A December Retreat at Home. Seems like time well spent now, doesn't it?

There will always be good things to do, in every season.  Missey and Lorrie and, especially, Nicole have taught me this year to choose the best, even if I have to sacrifice the good.

Comments

[courtney]

Thank you, Elizabeth for the reminder. I will cherish each day with my two blessings.

[Momma Mandy]

Wow!! This really is what everyone needs right now before getting caught up (if they haven't already) with the busyness and everything that the Holiday season brings. Bless you.

[Kristen Laurence]

Thank you for your poignant post. I needed this today.

[willa]

I have been thinking the same sort of thing, Elizabeth. Thanks for sharing. This is a poignant season of the year and the stories of these ladies puts it in perspective for me. Truly, we want to remember that this is about preparation "we don't know the day or the hour".

[Sandy]

Elizabeth, our priest talked about this today...sort of. He said that he really doesn't care about the Second Coming. He is more concerned with his personal apocalypse.

Thanks for sobering thoughts.

[Marybeth]

Thank you for this post it sets a tone for me and my priorities this Advent and Christmas season.

[Carole]

What a touching reminder. We should focus on the time at hand, the spirit of the season, the reason for our celebration--always remembering that it could be our last. Thanks so much for bringing this home.

[Helen (Mary Vitamin)]

Thank you Elizabeth for this post. It is both sobering and helpful. Missey must have been inspired to take the month of December off. Her example shows me to pay attention to the inspirations of the Lord and how very good He is when He leads us.

[Alice Gunther]

Heartbreaking, and so very, very important to contemplate.

[Alice Gunther]

I am back to say what a great grace it is to contemplate our own mortality and the fact that we are all truly pilgrims here. Thank you, Elizabeth, for this sensitive reminder.

[MamaJen]

Thank you so much for this post, Elizabeth. I have felt very stressed and worried, wanting to have a *perfect* Advent and Christmas season (and we all know what happens when you start desiring perfection here on earth!) I believe that you have saved my Christmas this year, as I suddenly, brutally, remember what is truly important. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

[Margaret in Minnesota]

I agree with Alice. This is a "sobering" post but also an important (and even beautiful) reminder. We ARE pilgrims and the journey isn't over 'til it's (sometimes painfully) over.

But then! What joy! We are met by the members of our family who have gone before us. I believe that even in purgatory we will have a greater joy than that which we can grasp only imperfectly here below.

Thank you, Elizabeth. This post was a wonderful way to start my day.

Have a blessed week!

[mrs darling]

What a poignant post. Truly we need to stop remember why the Babe of Bethleham was truly born!

[Karen E.]

Such a beautiful, sad, uplifting, and perfect reminder. Thank you, Elizabeth.