Love, Love, Love!

Last week I was reminded that our lives are marked with a certain frailty, as well as the importance of loving well while we are here on earth. One week ago today, I found out that one of my sisters passed away unexpectedly. Interestingly, my sister and I were “Irish twins,” as we were 11.5 months apart.  Ironically, we also grew up Catholic, but we’re not Irish. LOL.

Side Note: As I shared previously in another blog, my sisters would tease me saying that our parents didn’t plan for me, which certainly had some truth to it. I may not have been planned by my parents, but fortunately my God had a perfect plan for me. I truly believe that God has a purpose and an incredible plan for all of our lives. 

As soon as we got the news, we scheduled a flight back home to WI. The time we spent with our family was bittersweet. Many tears were shed, but there was also a flood of joyful and goofy memories, that caused all of us to be fused together even more.

My husband gave the eulogy at our small gathering, and it was exactly what all of us needed. I was reminded that although grieving is healthy, I take comfort in the fact that she had a personal relationship with Jesus, and we know that she is in Heaven with Him, and in no pain.

As with most sibling rivalries, we would get irritated with each other at times. However, I truly believe that she was a kinder person than me.

I was just reminded of a scripture that talks about how each of us are made, which is “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” (Book of Psalms‬ ‭chapter 139‬, verse 14). I heard someone once say that “Selfish people expect everyone to be like they are, but love, respects the differences in people.” I find it astonishing that no two fingerprints, even that of identical, twins, are the same. I believe this means that we are created equal, but different. In light of this, shouldn’t we respect and encourage the differences in our loved ones?

Lastly, life is very fragile and as we know, tomorrow belongs to no one. If I could encourage you to celebrate life and your loved ones. Be quick to forgive and to listen, but slow to speak. I find that it’s no coincidence that we each have two ears and one mouth.  So, I suspect that we should listen twice as much as we speak. 

She loved butterflies!