All Sorts of Celebrations.

Aunt Tracey had brown, shoulder-length hair, freckles, and beautiful eyes to match the beauty that poured out of her soul. She loved so well, and so freely. Last Monday, my parents and I attended her funeral...people gathered together to share in their sorrow. People gathered together to stare into the watery eyes of her loved ones and to embrace one another in this time of need. I think of 'Desert Song', when Brooke Fraser sings, "In all of my life, in every season, You are still God, I have a reason to sing, I have a reason to worship"....I hear this song in my head as I ask God...WHY? He tells me that it's okay to be upset and angry, because He too is upset and angry at death and injustice...but He also tells me that it isn't over--it's not over for Chris, Gracie, or Cole...it's not over for the students she taught or the teachers she taught with, it's not over for her parents, it's simply not over. He says that we still have a reason to sing and we still have a reason to worship. My mind transfers to the celebration aspect of this tough mourning...tough morning....and I smile as baby Landon stares up at me with the most concerned face, as if he knew something was wrong. I smile and sing along to Amazing Grace.

I turned 20 on Saturday. My father flew back to New Jersey a few days before to attend a funeral for his cousin Chip. My mother cooked breakfast and set up a table for all of my friends to sit at in the backyard to celebrate life. I recognize the continuous circle of death, life, death, and life again....Tracey, Landon, Chip....Me....

As my friends and I laugh and enjoy life while eating my mom's sally-jesse-raphael...(kind of like a french toast type dish...with cream cheese inside!) I think about how at this time in my life, these people are important to me and have influenced my life for the better. There were a few missing from the breakfast table, of course...but being surrounded by people who care for me and love me was wonderful.