The Graduate

Katie - Kindergarten Graduation Photo

What a happy day this was!

"I thank my God
in all my remembrance of you."
Philippians 1:3

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Remember Me

This poem was written on Katie's five year Heaven Anniversary.

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Remember Me

Heaven’s children were all outside to play
But one little girl was very quiet today
Jesus opened His arms and smiled
He said, come sit and talk to Me awhile
She looked at Him with the biggest eyes of blue
She said, I really love being here with You
I can run and play and sing and dance and laugh
But sometimes I wonder where my family’s at

And do they remember me?
It’s been a long time now, you see
It was five years ago today
That I came to heaven to stay
Do they know that I still love them
And I’ve prayed for their hearts to mend
It’s been an eternity . . .
Do you think they remember me?

Jesus smiled as He took her little hand
He said come with Me - you will understand
They sat side by side together on a cloud
He whispered, watch and see and you will be proud
She bowed her curly blonde head and looked down
She saw her family in the rain, all gathered ‘round
There were pink and purple flowers at the graveside
Her mother looked up to the sky as she cried

Do you remember me?
It’s been a long time now, you see
It was five years ago today
That you went to heaven to stay
Do you know that I still love you so?
And I never wanted you to go
It’s been an eternity . . .
Do you remember me?

The little girl looked at Jesus and smiled
We’ll all be together in a little while
Until then, can we please go back and play
And could we send a little sunshine their way?
With a wave of His hand, the rain was gone
And a beautiful sun brightly shone
Her family looked up to the sky with awe
There were two rainbows . . . one big and one small

I know you remember me
There is no time in heaven, you see
Though it was five years ago today
That you went to heaven to stay
You know that we all love you
And we know that you love us, too
Heaven is eternity . . .
And I know you remember me

for katie by mom

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Promised Patience

Katie's artistic rendition of being a pediatric cancer patient. Notice that in spite of being hooked up to IVs, there is a smile on her face. She showed all of us the true meaning of valiance.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
~ 2 Peter 3:9

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A Decade... How Can it Be?

Ten years ago today, Katie went to heaven to live with Jesus and the angels.

Here is a song that I wrote for her today…

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For Good

Sitting alone just feeling blue
In a world of missing you
And I need for something to happen
That’s good
I pray to God and beg Him please
Send down some relief for me
‘Cause my heart is breaking like
You’re gone for good

I know you’re in heaven fair
They’re so lucky to have you there
But I need for something to happen
That’s good
Please tell Jesus to send my way
A rainbow to brighten my day
You know my heart is breaking
Because you’re gone for good

How can it feel so bad
After all of these years
I could drown myself
In this river of tears
I wish that I could spend
Just one more minute with you
It would make me feel
So good

How can ten years come and go
When my life here seems so slow
Oh I need for something to happen
That’s good
I need that angel to bring you back
Oh how I wish she could do that
Please my heart is breaking
I know you’re gone for good

All I can do now is close my eyes
And get a picture in my mind
And I think that something will happen
That’s good
To keep in mind I’ll see you again
Somehow makes this pain my friend
Although my heart is breaking
You’re not really gone for good

How can it feel so bad
After all of these years
I could drown myself
In this river of tears
I wish that I could spend
Just one more minute with you
It would make me feel
So good

Yes, I wish that I could spend
Just one more minute with you
My angel
It would make me feel
So good

for katie by mom

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Dear Lord, please give Katie a hug from us. She is blessed to have You.

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Happy Father's Day

Picture from DonnaBellas.com

A Little Girl Needs Daddy

A little girl needs Daddy
For many, many things:
Like holding her high off the ground
Where the sunlight sings!
Like being the deep music
That tells her all is right
When she awakens frantic with
The terrors of the night.
Like being the great mountain
That rises in her heart
And shows her how she might get home
When all else falls apart.
Like giving her the love
That is her sea and air,
So diving deep or soaring high
She'll always find him there.

~Author Unknown~

Jesus, please tell Katie that her dad still misses her every day and he loves her very much.

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Suddenly... It's Summer

When summer finally came and decided to stay awhile, it unpacked its suitcase! It is so hot here in NC, in a sweltering way.

Katie loved summer: splashing in a kiddie pool, chasing butterflies, drawing a hopscotch, helping in Nana's flower garden, rolling in the green grass with her little sis.

Above is a drawing of Summer from Katie's viewpoint. Also, I wanted to share another poem; it is long but tells our story...

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Summer Day

Summer day, life is lovely
We’re going to see the ocean
Bags are packed, gather the family
Let’s put this dream in motion

But wait . . . just a quick stop
At the doctor’s for a test
Our four-year-old has been sick
So let’s put our fears to rest

No wait . . . what did the doctor say
Did she just say “cancer”
We have to go to the hospital now
That’s where we’ll find an answer

Oh wait . . . what about our trip
What about our hopes and dreams
We’re just a normal family of four
Now it’s falling apart at the seams

Autumn day, life is busy
We’re going to the 7th floor playroom
Hospital days are long and tiring
Surgery’s over, now it’s chemo

But wait . . . just a quick prayer
Please make my baby well soon
Lord, you can heal a little girl
You hung the stars and the moon

No wait . . . I won’t beg You
But could You give it to me instead
Why is she the one who’s sick
It should be me in that bed

Oh wait . . . I’ve got to be strong
Just half as brave as she
Look at her playing “doctor”
She’s as amazing as can be

Winter day, life is precious
Look at all the gifts
Never seen so many presents
We made everyone’s Christmas list

But wait . . . the best gift of all
Is seeing her smile and play
And loving everybody so much
Growing stronger every day

No wait . . . oh please not again
We’ll face this trial together
And just like the time before
We pray she will get better

Oh wait . . . things are looking good
So much to look forward to
She’s going to kindergarten
She’ll be a school girl soon

Spring day, life is crazy
We finally saw the ocean
Wishes really can come true
Love is the magic potion

But wait . . . something else is wrong
Her little body is tired
Chemo’s done both good and bad
Dialysis will help for awhile

No wait . . . look at her pretty face
She wants to laugh & draw & play
Someone who is so full of life
Just can’t be in any pain

Oh wait . . . she makes everyone smile
Full of love & joy & grace
Sweetest heart I ever knew
Beautiful angel face

Summer day, life is painful
We had to let her go
The angel came and it was over
Most heartbreaking hurt I know

But wait . . . I’m not ready to say
Good-bye to my little one
Lord, You know that I can’t live
Another day, I can’t go on

No wait . . . You said You’d comfort me
Give me peace to face tomorrow
And to serve her memory well
To live beyond the sorrow

Oh wait . . . isn’t that her spirit
That lives inside us still
She gave more in seven years
Than many of us ever will

Summer day, life is lovely...

for katie by mom

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Thrones, Powers, Rulers

Sassy Katie with Mickey

The Make-a-Wish Foundation sponsored our trip to Disney World in 1996. One of the souvenirs was the treasured Mickey Mouse that is cuddling with Katie in the picture above. As delightful as the amusement park was, I often wonder just how much more exciting heaven is...

For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. ~ Colossians 1:16

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