My precious nephew Kyle
has anxiously anticipated the arrival of his fifth birthday since the mid-summer. What is it about kids? -They love the passage time! As adults, when another milestone appears on the horizon, we start say things like, "How can it be that I am yet another year older?" and -now a more vivid reality to me- "How can it be that Greta isn't here to be the life of our parties?"
So last week, the big day arrived and we celebrated in style! Our family has always made such a big deal out of birthdays. There's NOT a family birthday I can remember "not recognizing" in our Jones house! Last spring, we lost my sister - Kyle's Mommy in death. The arrival of the red-circled dates on our calendars have come with a flood of emotions. There's a void that quite simply can't be denied.
Last year, when we gathered to celebrate Kyle's birthday, Greta was not well and yet she perservered to bless Kyle with his birthday wishes! Even if I could savor the flavor of the frosting from the birthday cake nothing could come close to experiencing the sweetness of the moment. She was so very excited to have planned his cool CARZ party and organized his big boy bedroom with all kinds of transportation-themed stuff. The little guy just loves automobiles! (As one proud Auntie ~ I just have to interject here - he's very bright and can tell you the make and model of most any vehicle on the road! I'm equally amazed at his "sense of direction", which, for the record, he certainly acquired his mother's DNA!)
I wonder if my sister "had any thought" that Kyle's 4th birthday would be her last to share with him on this side of eternity? (Sadly, it was the last time Greta would see and hug Mom Mom Esther - our Grandmother for whom she was actively helping to plan a surprise 90th birthday party for - one she would not live to attend.) It was the last family event where we would gather under the roof of Greta's house. She felt God had made such great a provision ordaining the acquisition of her long-awaited disability settlement which brought her dream of home ownership to reality.
Despite biting, physical pain, emotional exhaustion and an oxygen tank that seemed to encumber her every move, she smiled through it, scrunching her nose up against his Kyle's precious face. She smothered him with kisses galore...NO ONE could cuddle like Gret! Her affectionate ways were so life size that the reality of her absence stings the eyes of those of us she loved and loved on! As she labored for each breath, she sat right beside her "little stud muffin" watching him widdle away at his steep pile of presents. I can vividly see my sister hugging Kyle Mitchell ever-so-tightly. 
This year we tried to keep it light but it's hard not to drift back to times with her here. In our hearts she can't be replaced;it isn't like we can just go out and find another sister, daughter or mother to take her place. Grief is freaky but we are facing it head-on. She would want us to go on and keep making happy memories for her kids. We press on, loving them sweeter and deeper than before her passing. 
The "Herbie the Love Bug cake" Kyle begged for was not an easy thing to figure out. But in honor of Gret's zest for life...and with the aid of checkered flag props and party supplies Aunt Candy had gathered...we pulled it off!
Kyle was elated that I came through with his request. You would've thought I told him he just won a trip to Disney World or free reign of a toy store! It brought a tears for me and yet a wide smile to my face when I became the recipient of "that trademark" - "cuddle bug" affectionate hug and kiss that felt so familiar now on my end of the love...a memory that is going to stick with me a longggggg time! A precious aspect of his Mommy that lives on!
Monday, January 21, 2008
As we celebrated Kyle's birthday...
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Another Tribute To Greta....
This weekend is the nine month marker since Greta's passing. We continue to rejoice in her place now in Heaven with the Lord. We celebrate the life she lived here on Earth for nearly 39 years.
This montage of photos set to Brad Paisley's, "She's Everything" with the help of "slide.com" gives some idea how we (her loved ones) still feel about Greta and how much we miss her unique place in each of our lives night and day! There are so many things in this song that really were her...especially the
I want a piece of chocolate, take me to the movies, a Saturn with a sunroof with her brown hair a blowin', fighter when she's mad, a lover when she's lovin', stealer of the covers, etc. as mentioned in the lyrics. She may be gone from our sight but she is never far from our thoughts ~still!
Hey...grab a box of tissue 'cause it's a tear jerker!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Greta has been gone 5 months...
It has been five months today since my sister passed and some days it now seems even harder to face the loss than others. Today has been one of those days...just difficult to face.
By now I am sure people are just tired of seeing, hearing and feeling me grieve. If you have not lost your sister or closest friend then do not judge me. I am not "getting over this" folks so just ignore me if my emotional state is more than you can stand. My true loved ones understand and accept that I am going through the valley of the shadow of death and love me just the same...unconditionally...like Jesus does!
Here is the link to the web page that hosts the tribute our family pulled together, and Bill produced, to share at Greta's home going service. It is different from the one you may have watched online at the website that hosted her obituary. This one reflects the song and words that she wanted to be shared...honoring God's hand on her for her lifetime.
I will warn you it is a tear-jerker. She specifically asked me to remember this song for "her time" and miraculously I was able to eventually recall it.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
My Dear Dad...
Today's date, September 11th, has always been special to me because it has always been my Dad's birth date! Sadly, since the terrorist events of 2001 it has been remembered for so many other things but to me it still has much happy significance because that was the day he entered this world.
This morning I spoke with Mom Mom Esther and she told me about that day 65 years ago today. At around 4 AM she delivered the 9+ pound boy, Walter Kemp Jones, Jr., we call Dad. She went into labor before midnight and Grandad Kemp made two different trips to "go fetch" country Doctor Hodous who lived a few miles away from their Winters Run abode.
With mixed emotions, as this is our first round of special dates without Greta, I must share that she always put a lot of thought into her gifts and cards for Dad ~or whoever. I remember many times of celebrating when we all still lived at home. The four of us girls would go buy something for him and he'd say (and still says) we should not spend our money on him! For some reason he has always had difficulty with receiving gifts but we get and give them to him anyway. Maybe that is just the one way we could rebel and "get away with something"
Dad's choice birthday meal is fried Salmon cakes with mashed potatoes and homemade rolls (which must even out for his meal to end). German Chocolate is his favorite birthday cake. Oh and from taking his lead...always with a side slab of butter "on the nose" for the sake of a birthday tradition!
This pic is of Dad on Greta & Howard's wedding day, October 11, 2003. Ironically Greta married a man who shares his birthday with Dad! (So Happy Birthday to Howard too!)
In closing this post today, Dad, I want to say that my prayer is that you will remain as healthy and as steadfast as you are in your faith and desire to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others until He comes to get us all! I SURE DO LOVE YOU! Your oldest daughter and little tacker, Terri Dawn!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
A 24 Hour Mommy Vacation...
I got to spend my Friday night and Saturday at the beach!!!! A friend of a friend of a friend has a place in Dewey Beach Delaware. So I enjoyed a 24 hour Mommy vacation with my dear, dear friend who I have known most of my life.
When Esther called to invite me I did not have a problem being her "second string draft pick" (since her daughter was unable to make the trip with her) this time. I needed the break and she knew I had been trying to get to the beach for the past three months! (I would have taken my kids with me but I needed some down time and they had an important dress rehearsal for their respective upcoming Sunday musicals anyway.)
The weather was quite incredible, the sun felt so good and the sea breeze was just amazing so we were lulled into a false sense of security. Let's just say we paid for the decision not to lather up with globs of sunscreen! You would think I would remember getting sun poisoning when I spent countless hours trying to hopelessly "out tan" Greta in my younger years. She sure loved the beach and could tan like no one I know!
Last evening Es and I had a fabulous supper in Ocean City, MD at the Marina Deck. That place is one favorite restaurant that my sisters have shared with many a friend and family member over the past 24 years! They have awesome seafood, a delicious tropical salad and homemade breads "to die for". I just had to call April in California, Candy in Pennsylvania and Mom vacationing in West Virginia just to rub it in! We especially love their coconut muffins the best of all their featured breads. I managed to actually save room for a Dumser's Chocolate milk shake for my ride home!
I am a people watcher and must be truly reaching middle age because some of the things I saw scared me while others made me laugh. I love my camera and resisted taking shots of the freakshow on the Ocean City Boardwalk "after dark".
Since it was a nice overnight trip and I did go a little crazy taking scenic shots and such. This pic is one I caught on bayside in Ocean City right as the sun set.
God sure can paint ~ can't He?
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The Flight...ode to 91 days!
The drive to the hospital the morning of "that" phone call - all the concern for Greta's weakened state. It was not an easy one but God was faithful to carry me to do what I needed to do - to say goodbye to my very closest friend - ever!
Even though the medical people were telling us "the next two hours would tell us whether she would survive"...I already knew in my heart that this was IT - the last time I would see her. How do you begin to prepare to say goodbye to someone who you have known most of your life? She had told me twice in the week preceding this day...that "this time" she was "not coming out of the hospital". She was "going to get her healing". She knew she was headed to Heaven to "get her new body" and where she would be free from the horrible constant pain! God was working in my heart...to let her go...to release her to the Lord's keeping and to that greater realm beyond this pathetic place!
The sky was overcast and my heart felt the same...a shadowed feeling. But I recalled the words of comfort God gave me earlier that morning about developing a heart of worship in all circumstance. As I recall the lengthy drive to Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center - the whole morning had a spiritual element very hard for me to express in words. As I said, it was a cloudy day but my heart sensed the shadow of the Almighty's presence. The Lord blessed me with the comfort of the dearest people via my cell phone. The love and prayers extended to me were a tremendous blessing to my heavy heart. It was good to know that I was being lifted up in prayer as I made my journey to Lititz.
As God would ordain, my dear friend, Corliss, would be available to go with me. It was special to have her with me for that place in time. She's a strong woman of God, also the wife of a pastor, an accomplished pediatric nurse and dearly loved person. She had been touched by the loss of a sibling herself and after losing both her biological father and the dad who raised her within a short time - quite acquainted with grief. (At that point I knew she too "would be leaving me" within a short time; I had to push that pain away to deal with the moment. Maybe I will talk about that in another post someday.) Corliss was there for me and my family for that precious time as she had been for so many other life changes in the ten years we have been close friends. She prayed, comforted and loved on my bunch. It was a blessing to have her there and I thank God for providing that time together before her inevitable move to Alabama just a few weeks later!
God's sheltering arms were evident...as I walked in the room to see Greta like that...inti-bated and just barely holding on. I stood there quiet for a bit, rubbing her arm, touching her face, stroking her beautiful hair - we had shared so much. It seemed like a very bad dream- a nightmare! How do you say those words? I prayed out loud...thanking God for giving her to me as my little sister 38 years before. I recognized that he knew when she would be born and certainly knew when she would die. Her life days were ordained and known before the foundation of the earth! I thanked Him for the blessing of her life and what she was to all she knew. I sincerely praised His high and holy name right then and there. I hugged Greta and told her that "everything was going to be all right" with us. "I love you Greta - you go be with Jesus." and she did! It was a mere three minutes after I arrived that she "took off". I know she waited for me...before taking "the flight" - she had so many times before in her dealings with me! And even now I know she is waiting for me - again.
I love all my sisters so very dearly and deeply. I never ever imagined having to experience the death of any of the three! After all I have always been and will always be the oldest. I was five years older than Greta and several years the elder of Candace and April. The reality of losing my "lifetime partner in crime, laughter and mischief" is undoubtedly one of the more difficult and emotionally painful things I have had to do in my whole 44 years of life!
I SURE DO MISS HER! Three months to the day and date (Thursday the 12th)! Thirteen weeks of shedding tears everyday - at some point! Sure some days are more painful than others...so far "time"...91 days "has not healed squat"! I have many prized memories of her time here...everyday brings little remembrances...sometimes when I least expect it...a memory is triggered...it's a miracle I have not been electrocuted for crying while using my laptop (Greta would have laughed at that comment)! Nothing seems the same...nothing is the same...and I am convinced that my life IS forever changed! I can say with great confidence that I know her life has changed too and OH how for the better...that is the only good "trade off" here. But I love her that much!!! I know I am going to be all right...just like I told her...we are going to be all right - by God's help and comfort.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Two months...
It has been two months today since Greta went on to her heavenly home. It was my goal to write in my blog about my experience that day as I drove to hospital and went to say good bye to her for that last time. However, instead and in memorium to Greta's great faith, I decided to post the lyrics to a song I recently discovered and cherish so much...
It is a Mark Harris song titled WISH YOU WERE HERE
(From his album The Line Between The Two)
I wanted to tell you how closely I've kept
The memories of you in my heart
And all of the lifetimes that we had to share
Live even though we're apart
But don't cry for me
'Cause I'm finally free
(Chorus)
To run with the angels
On streets made of gold
To listen to stories of saints new and old
To worship our Maker
That's where I'll be
When you finally find me
No don't you be weary cause waiting for you
Are wonders that you've never known
Just hold on to Jesus, reach out for his hands
And one day They'll welcome you home
And that's when you'll be
Finally free
Finally free
(Chorus)
I wish you were here, I wish you were here
And all of the dreams that you treasure
Will soon come together
And that's when your sorrow will find tomorrow
And you will rise again
(Chorus)
We'll run with the angels on streets made of gold
We'll listen to stories of saints new and old
We'll worship our maker that's where we'll be
When you finally find me
I wish you were here
Sunday, June 3, 2007
My Bible-carrier Graduated...
The tuxedo-clad, brown-eyed toddler who staggered (carrying a tiny Bible)down the aisle for my wedding, nearly 17 years ago, just graduated from from my high school Alma mater on May 31, 2007! As I prepared to capture the picture of my nephew, Joshua, in his green cap and gown and receiving his sheepskin, I felt a bit anxious and more than words can say about pride, sadness and happiness -all at the same time!
Joshua Kemp Jones, how could so much time have passed? You mean so much to all of us especially, Mom Mom Margaret and Grandad Walter. Where-did-the-years-go? No, I won't spring into singing my rendition of "Sunrise~Sunset". But how-can-this-be-so-real-and-so-soon? It seems like just last week, I was rocking you as a precious crying newborn baby boy and singing to you - so sorry- but I can't resist...
Now let us have a little talk with Jesus,
Let us tell him all about our troubles,
He will hear your faintest cry and
He will answer by and by.
So when you feel a little prayer wheel turning,
Just know a little fire is burnin',
You will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right!
You are a fine young man who is entering a troubled and fallen world. I pray that you will look to your Lord and Saviour to be your compass to find the "one true north" and the only rock on which to build your own family of strength someday! He will be your comfort and abiding best friend with whom you can always talk!
As my closest younger sister, your Mom was undoubtedly one of the dearest people I have ever known! It is a certainty that if she could have, she would have looked on this day of accomplishment with a huge smile while shedding many happy tears of elation -and relief! As you know she had a tremendous sense of humor (in fact she had joked with me about keeping you from dating until you're 30) but of course in all seriousness, -only a Christian lady! Her desires to see you guard your heart and walk with your mind fixed on following Jesus Christ were of the utmost sincerity. So this too is my wish and my prayer for you in this chapter and the rest of your long life!!! With All My Love ~Your Aunt Terri~ Proverbs 3:5-6
Thursday, May 24, 2007
A phone call 6 weeks ago today...
At 6:42 a.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2007 I got a phone call that would change my earthly life forever. The strings ~life strings~ holding, tethering my sister, Greta Andrea Jones Willis to this world were being cut by God Himself.
It was the call I never wanted to receive; one of my greatest fears. I remember saying, "Oh God help me - this can't really be happening. She has been here most all of my life. Please intervene, be her Peace, Lord...I need a word from You...I canNOT do this myself!"
I picked up the March 2007 issue of Decision magazine from my bathroom floor as I fumbled to face the "sucker punch" I had just received. "God please show me something profound!" The water-damaged periodical fell open to an article by Tommy Walker, "The Breakthrough Power of Worship". My eyes fell on the final two paragraphs...as I soaked it in.
"Worship is a declaration of our weakness and God's strength. I challenge you in your next point of need to make that hard choice to be a worshiper and let the breakthrough God fight your battle for you."
"When we worship, the invisible God is at work doing invisible and powerful things. We get realigned, refreshed and refueled; we find unspeakable joy and indescribable peace. We discover the breakthrough strength of God, which enables us to walk in the truth, live in His presence and see Him fight our battles for us. It is how we can put the beauty of the Gospel on display, receive His many blessings and at the same time be a blessing to the world."
I stood on these writings and God empowered me to go forth with a heart of worship! And that I can say without reservation! Thank you Jesus!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
An Opening Point
Today (now yesterday) was a particularly bright and beautiful May Monday day but inside my head it was anything but sunny! God has blessed me with a sanguine personality (optimistic, very outgoing & talkative). I can honestly say that even though things in my life are never perfect, I can recall only a few times, since I surrendered my life to Christ, that I have not been able to rise to the occasion and see the glass as at least half-full! Yes, it was yet another weepy day for me (the likes thereof have become more frequent as I mourn) and this was not even the typical "offbeat day or two" that we females experience monthly. Today, I really wanted to run away from my life and my reality!
Since my sister, Greta, moved to her eternal home (almost 6 weeks ago) I have felt a wide range of emotion. I have tried to see the spiritual significance in each day and each person I have the privilege to meet or share time with on the phone. But I have to say that with each stage of grief -my emotions have spun both beautiful tapestries of hope and some serious cobwebs of doubt about my spiritual and mental state(s).
After dinner tonight, I sat down and was searching for some comfort "personal words" of encouragement from God's word. Okay, now have you ever done this? Just opened the Bible in a random fashion...as if some message will magically jump off the page at you? Well be warned that the Bible has many "not so pleasant verses" so you may struggle to find the significance of "just any old verse". I am blessed to own several Bibles and the one I picked up tonight was my Women of Faith Devotional Bible. The page I opened to -seemed to be nothing very profound - at least not at first. I just skimmed the blip called Hope which referenced Galatians 6:9 and then pressed on to read the related devotional by some woman of a faith who wrote....
Hope is a word I love. Hope keeps you going when things don't look so good. Hope is the only thing left at times, I love it that God tells us not to lose hope. If we keep hope alive in our souls, we shall reap in due season. When we can't see past the darkness we can always have hope. Isn't it great to know there are seasons to our lives? My season of life right now is raising....precious children...-a great season, but a challenge every minute as well. I need hope that tomorrow may be easier or sweeter."Thank you, Lord, for the hope., You give me minute by minute."
It touched me and then I read the author's name...it was signed...Terry Jones...Point of Grace
You may ask, "So what's the big deal?" Well I will tell you...my maiden name was Terri Jones! I was so surprised - I know this passage and devotion were meant for me for a time such as this! I say that to share this....you can rest-assured that God is a very personal God! He is the ever faithful friend and He never ceases to amaze me. Unlike our "supposed friends and loved ones" who (for diverse reasons may) tend to distance themselves when we need them the most! It is comforting to know that when we sincerely seek His face, He does not run and hide! He meets us at the point of our genuine need!!! PRAISE HIS HIGH AND HOLY NAME AMEN!
