A New Angel in Heaven
courtesy of freedigitalphotos.com
Last weekend our family said our final good-bye to my sister June at a beautiful Celebration of Life service, and Heaven surely welcomed a new angel.
During the ceremony I thought about all the things June and I had shared over the years–long walks and talks, coloring and paper dolls as kids, trading clothes, playing jacks and jumprope and giving each other . . . measles, mumps, chicken pox and scarlet fever!
We survived it all and grew to adulthood, enjoying each other’s children and spouses, holidays and vacations, careers and books, and so much more.
Am I sad? Yes and no. I will miss her every day for the rest of my life, but I am also grateful that she is in the special place God has prepared for her and for all of us.
The day after the memorial I drove to my son’s home and spent the week with him and his wife and also visited good friends in the area (Southern California), with a renewed commitment to life and the opportunities I have while I’m still on earth to love and laugh and to make a difference in the lives of everyone I come in contact with.
June left her legacy and one we are all so grateful for–and I am still in the process of creating mine.
June, dearest, we will meet again before long. Till then, please leave the light on for me!
“People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 13:29)
I’ll add extra prayers for you. It’s hard to loose a loved one, but if we couldn’t grieve we couldn’t love. We’d be like black widow spiders that eat their own mates and offspring. And you know you’ll be reunited with your loved ones in Heaven.
Thank you, Janet. I appreciate your kind words.
Love this, Karen. Knowing you, I know I would have loved June. What a great sendoff you gave her. Our hope is in Christ! You have the promise of seeing her again along with your sweet Charles! Love, Heidi
Thanks, Heidi. I love knowing June and Charles and our friend Bruce are rejoicing on the other side.
So very touching, Karen. You remind me of the “White Christmas” song called “Sisters, Sisters.” May God comfort you now.
Thank you, Kristi. Lovely words of comfort.
Such a sweet tribute to “June Bug,” as you called her. She was definitely a special woman, sister, mother and grandmother. Of course I can say the same things about you- but I need to add “friend” to the list. You’ve been that to me (and more) for so many years. I just loved the opportunity to see you last week! Miles separate us now — but in heaven,I hope we live on the same street so I can see you every day! Sending love, hugs and blessings to you today and always!
Thank you, Glenda. Our visit in Calabasas was really special. I so appreciate our long friendship and being Sarah’s ‘grandma.’
I am so sorry for your loss, Karen. I’m struggling with a lot of potential loss in my life right now and it’s hard.
Do you suppose some people might believe June really becomes an angel in heaven?
As always, I enjoy your writing but even more I love your heart and you.
Hi Barb. Thanks for your kind words. I’m not sure about the ‘angel’ part but to me June was a special angel here on earth. I support you in your losses. Life is just plain hard sometimes.
A beautiful tribute to your sister and I certainly can relate to your feeling of loss AND of great memories! I had three sisters and three brothers all older than me, all now angels in heaven, and when you mentioned playing Jack’s with June I had to smile and remember how Edith and I played Jack’s on the linoleum floor and I also still have the little sack with the ball and jacks inside!! I also have a lot of the doll house furniture we played with and my granddaughters played with it also. She was a good sister like June was to you, and even tho Edith was older, she always took time to play with me. We are so fortunate to have had siblings to love and remember. > speaking of angels, I just ordered from Amazon a used copy of the book by Billy Graham “Angels, Angels, Angels” that I had read in 1975 the year it was published. It is our of print now. A friend had loaned me her copy. I highly recommend it. It explains all about Angels from the Biblical standpoint and gives two great examples about the appearance of Angels here on earth in a time of crisis. It is a good book to study.
I believe in Angels! I am sure June is one now!
Blessings to you, Karen. Margaret
Thank you, Margaret, for sharing your tender memories of your ‘angels’ (siblings) in heaven. Precious times while we had them.
Karen, your article, about your sister, reminded me of a line from a hymn written long ago…
“If our fellowship below in Jesus be so sweet, what height of rapture shall we know when round His throne we meet!” Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
May God comfort your sorrow with your special memories and the hope of sweet memories to come.
With Heartfelt Sympathy, BRC
Thanks, Beth. I love these words from Wesley’s hymn. Very comforting.