I have so many fond memories of Nellie...especially at Christmas time. She always came to help me bake (it was more like I was helping her), and by the time she left the freezer was chock full. She also tackled all those cleaning jobs around my house that I would sooner leave for tomorrow...things like the stove, the light fixtures, and the silverware. She is the one who I talked to nearly every day...either I'd pop by or we'd chat on the phone. I really miss having her around. And I miss her prayers for all of us...even the unborn great-grandchildren that she never got to meet, but was already making things for. Those last few years were hard for her physically, and there wasn't much left she could do...but she spent her time praying. How precious is that? Oh...I miss that...especially today!She passed away seven years ago, today...it was one Christmas I will never forget! The family all came home for Christmas, and mom went to her eternal home. I lost my own mom a few months earlier so it was a rather sad Christmas for me. Someone gave me this poem that Christmas, and I'll share it for all who are missing loved ones this year...it's OK to shed a tear or two.
My First Christmas in Heaven
I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below,
With tiny lights like Heaven’s stars
Reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular
Please wipe away the tear,
For I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs
That people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can’t compare,
With the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you
The joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description
To hear the Angels sing.
I know how much you miss me
I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not so far away
We really aren’t apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones
You know I hold you dear,
And be glad that I’m spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I sent you each a special gift
From my heavenly home above,
I sent you each a memory
I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below,
With tiny lights like Heaven’s stars
Reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular
Please wipe away the tear,
For I am spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs
That people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can’t compare,
With the Christmas choir up here.
I have no words to tell you
The joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description
To hear the Angels sing.
I know how much you miss me
I see the pain inside your heart
But I am not so far away
We really aren’t apart.
So be happy for me, dear ones
You know I hold you dear,
And be glad that I’m spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
I sent you each a special gift
From my heavenly home above,
I sent you each a memory
of my undying love.
Please love and keep each other
As my Father said to do,
For I can’t count the blessings of love
He has for each of you.
So have a Merry Christmas
And wipe away that tear,
Remember, I’m spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
Please love and keep each other
As my Father said to do,
For I can’t count the blessings of love
He has for each of you.
So have a Merry Christmas
And wipe away that tear,
Remember, I’m spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
Blessings,
Judy, how appropriate this poem is to me and my family. We have among us two or three special loved ones that have passed and are spending their first Christmas in heaven. How comforting to hear these words. I will pass this poem along. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAs to the chili- it was delicious and the pot was scraped clean! It sure warmed us up as the weather turned bad, cold, windy and rainy. Thanks for visiting! Hope you and yours are cozy and happy at Christmas too! Vickie
That's an amazing idea, that you spent the time of taking her in for a portrait. That poem was given to me by my mom when my grandmother died.
ReplyDeleteI miss both my mom and mother-in-law especially at this time of year.
What a rich heritage that both of you had and I know that's what you want your kids to have.
The turkey recipe was excellent!
How beautifully put. That poem was so moving. Funny, I was just talking about all our family who are spending this Christmas in heaven, especially our nephew, Joey who lost his battle after a tragic accident just a few short weeks ago. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteA very special post, Judy. So many have lost loved ones at Christmastime. It's so very sad for us, but how glorious for them.
ReplyDeleteYour mother-in-law was a beautiful person both inside and out. Thank you for sharing a little bit of her story with us. (I think she's still cheering you all on from her spot in the grandstands...a member of that great cloud of witnesses.)
What a good idea you had to have this beautiful photo done. You sound like one special daughter-in-love!
What a lovely portrait. Thank you so much for sharing the sweet poem with us all. My best friend's Mother-in-law just passed and I included this poem with the message of sympathy I sent to her.
ReplyDeleteShe found it touching and comforting.
thank you that i open this blog, very encouraging words coming from you and the story with your mom-in-law, she really looks happy oh her portrait. yeah, she's in the father's house rightnow and there, their is no pain anymore only she can do is to worship our God in heaven's above.
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