MIXED EMOTIONS

Today was a day full of mixed emotions. I began by wishing my precious hubby a Happy Birthday. Then we dressed and headed off to the funeral for a friend/co-worker's wife. Her name was Susan Stratton and she corageously battled cancer for 11 long years. I regret I never met her personally. She sounded like a very special,talented, loving, giving, yet independent spirited woman. She started a week-day pre-school at her church and directed it. She also loved growing and arranging flowers. She was dedicated to her husband and daughters. When the Lord led her husband to go to work for the Va. Baptist Mission Bd., she was willing to leave her beloved church family and home and Her preschool because she felt that's where the Lord wanted them. She served faithfully in her new church home after that even though battling the cancer. She left this world on Good Friday and was able to bask in the glory of her beloved God on Easter Sunday. Her struggle was over. I feel relief and joy for her, yet I am saddened for her husband and children who are left to go on without the lady they loved so much. After we made the 3 hr. drive home we switched gears and went into celebration mode. We changed clothes as if this somehow helped shed the sadness and help us dress-up in new emotions. Then we went to one of our favorite restaurants for a lovely dinner and complementary Baked Alaska. The waiter even "attempted" to sing a shortened version of Happy Birthday. There were cards and lots of e-mails and messages when we got home. Cards and Presents were opened and a phone call from his "little brother" helped to top off the birthday celebration. As you might imagine, it was hard to celebrate a birthday when you've just witnessed a death. One thing Susan learned during her long struggle was to enjoy each day as if it were your last. She would have wanted us to celebrate her being with Jesus and she'd want us to celebrate Gary's birthday,too. As humans we face a myriad of emotions each day, some up, some down, some we're not even sure what they are. It's hard to flip a switch and go from sad to happy. However, we know the Lord wants us to celebrate the lives of his children-those who have just been born, those who have just grown a year older, and also those who have just gone to spend a pain-free, tear-free, glorious eternity with their Lord and King. It was hard to totally, mentally separate the two events today but I thank Jesus for giving me another year with my beloved husband and I thank God for letting me get to know Susan through her home-going celebration service. Please continue to pray for her husband, Eddie, and their two daughters in the days to come. Live each day to it's fullest!