Monday, September 30, 2013

celebrations and mourning...

Life is like that.  
The good and bad...
the happy and the sad...
always seem to come at the same time. 

We had Celebrations book launch events over the weekend.
at Granville Island and in Victoria..
The heavy rain hardly dampened our spirits...
and we had such a good time.
A celebration.
 And we met the nicest of folk!


Though we came prepared with boots and umbrellas...
Friday night in downtown Victoria couldn't have been nicer.
The rain stopped...
and we enjoyed our walk in the city...
and our dinner with a view of the parliament buildings.

We had a lot of laughs over the weekend...
and you may even hear some of the stories one day.

But as we were returning from our most enjoyable weekend...
I received a text message that came as a shock.
Hubby's sister had just passed away.
 Now that was not expected!
Of all the days...
Elmer had decided he would stop in and pay her a visit on Saturday.
He arrived to see several ambulances parked outside her front door...
and a houseful of paramedics.
He never had a chance to say good-bye. 
Yesterday we celebrated our granddaughter's fifth birthday.
But at the same time we were sad...
at the loss of a sister.
A sister who will not be celebrating her birthday next week...
but instead will be rejoicing in heaven.
Laughter and tears.
Celebrations and sadness.
Such is life!
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21 comments:

  1. ElizabethdSeptember 30, 2013 at 5:10 AM

    So very sad for you all. It seems harder when it is totally unexpected.

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  2. PondsideSeptember 30, 2013 at 6:40 AM

    I am sorry to read that Elmer has lost his sister so suddenly. It is never easy, but somehow the suddenness and shock are particularly hard.Thinking of you.

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  3. VeeSeptember 30, 2013 at 6:55 AM

    My sincere condolences. These life juxtapositions are always such a shock. Elmer was there and The Lord was there. We are thinking of you and your family and praying for you.

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  4. VickiSeptember 30, 2013 at 7:25 AM

    My deepest sympathy to you and Elmer and the family. You're all in my prayers.

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  5. Thoughts on Life and Millinery.September 30, 2013 at 7:45 AM

    Such a shock indeed. My prayers and sympathy to Elmer and the family.

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  6. LorrieSeptember 30, 2013 at 7:56 AM

    I'm so sorry. Losing someone you love is never easy. Prayers for comfort and peace for Elmer and your family.

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  7. ellen b.September 30, 2013 at 8:20 AM

    We never know what a day holds but we know who holds it! Thank goodness we have comfort in the midst of our sorrows and joy, too. Praying for Elmer's family and all of you...

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  8. Lovella ♥September 30, 2013 at 8:30 AM

    I'm still marvelling at the timing of Elmer stopping in at his sisters. He was thinking of her and that is such a comfort to know that God leads us to do that even when we don't realize why.
    My condolences to you both as you remember her life.

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  9. AnnelieseSeptember 30, 2013 at 9:02 AM

    Such a vivid reminder of the berevity of life! There is a time to laugh and a time to mourn... these seem to go hand in hand on this earth, making sad times hard, yet making happy times sweeter.

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  10. Happy@HomeSeptember 30, 2013 at 10:10 AM

    I am so sorry. My heartfelt condolences to you and Elmer on the loss of his sister.

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  11. Pamela GordonSeptember 30, 2013 at 10:19 AM

    I am so sorry you had such sad news on the weekend. My sympathies to you, Elmer and the family. God bless. Hugs, Pam

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  12. lindseySeptember 30, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    So sorry for your news, I will pray for your family and how great it is to know that your sister will be rejoicing with her Heavenly Father

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  13. Nell at njschoutSeptember 30, 2013 at 11:12 AM

    My condolences. Even though she is in heaven this news is always a shock for those left behind.

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  14. debiSeptember 30, 2013 at 11:25 AM

    I am so so sorry for your husbands loss... Thankful for the promise of reuniting in heaven, what a celebration that will be! I will be praying for all those who loved her that God will comfort their hurting hearts.
    Hugs!

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  15. leahtbugSeptember 30, 2013 at 12:52 PM

    I am so sorry for your loss. It hurts even more in the fact it was unexpected.

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  16. MargSeptember 30, 2013 at 10:08 PM

    Once again, it was one of those cherished times that God orchestrated many events that only He could unfold at the right timing. May you and Elmer be comforted through this time as you say good bye to a another sibling.

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  17. MargaretSeptember 30, 2013 at 10:19 PM

    Hi Judy, Celebrations- It was so wonderful to meet you in person, along with other MGCG ladies Friday at TTV Granville Island :) Sadness- I'm so sorry to hear of your husbands dear sisters sudden passing. Prayers and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. With caring, Margaret from B.C.

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    Replies
    1. Judy October 1, 2013 at 7:01 AM

      Margaret...I'm so glad you came to meet us at Granville Island on Friday. Now I have a face for the name. Thank-you for your kind words!

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  18. RosellaOctober 1, 2013 at 9:11 AM

    Oh Judy - I'm so sorry to hear about your sad news! It seems especially shocking when it is so unexpected! Huge hugs to you and your family at this time of great loss!

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  19. KathyOctober 1, 2013 at 4:33 PM

    Being with you during God's amazing timing and nudge on Elmer to go and see his sister.....and then the call coming that she had entered her heavenly home drew me again into a deeper understanding of God's goodness and care in these most difficult times. Praying for you and our condolences. With our love Kathy...for Scot and I.

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  20. Just a little something from JudyOctober 2, 2013 at 2:53 AM

    My heart hurts for you, Elmer, and your family today. I can't imagine how he felt when he arrived at his sister's house, and all that you are now facing as a family. I will remember you in my prayers, especially the sweet little five year old who might be trying to process what happened on her fifth birthday. It is so true, we never know what each day will hold, but gratefully, we know the One who does.
    Remembering you both during this difficult time.

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'The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.'
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

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