“I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest.
I do not judge the universe.”
Dalai Lama
“I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.”
Hermann Hesse
(honey bee visits a purple cone flower in Nashville, TN / Julie Cook / 2015)
We live our lives rhythmically, lulled into the complacency of the ebbs and flows of our routines-
Yet. . .in the blink of an eye, our lives can be altered forever. . .
I ask for your prayers. . .
My dear daughter-n-law’s childhood home, the home of her grandparents, was destroyed in an early morning fire yesterday.
The cause is still under investigation.
There was currently some renovations taking place and that construction is being eyed as a possible cause.
We do give thanks however that her grandparents and mother all escaped harm—yet they have lost everything.
It is to those cherished family heirlooms and photographs—those momentous and images from the birth of children and grandchildren, to the wedding albums, wedding dress, cherished children’s toys, to the tokens remaining from a parent taken far too soon. . .those sacred items of the past which help to shape a family. . .those things which are now suddenly lost, seem to be the hardest loss to bear during any sort of tragedy of this nature.
A home which seemingly offered strength and stability. . .the representation of ones family’s structure and unity, having now vanished in the blink of an eye, leaves a bewildering sense of the surreal gnawing deep within ones psyche.
My daughter-n-law began her nervous first day in her new school yesterday only have to suddenly leave in order to travel across the state back home, to see with her own eyes that her family is indeed thankfully intact—alive and well of body yet shaken of spirit.
She and my son will now join them to mourn the loss of what was. . .as my daughter-n-law now offers her piece of fabric to the quilt which has made them, and will continue to make them, a family. . .
As we now join in the prayer. . .Oh Lord, that all things shall be made new. . .
You make all things new
You make all things new
Yesterday and forever
Your love never changing
This hope never fading
Hallelujah
Hillsong Worship
All Things New Lyrics
“And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new. . .”
Revelation 21:5
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
How traumatic for them all. Many prayers
Thank you Wally—it is so overwhelming
Julie, many prayers for your daughter-in-law’s family and for your son as he becomes her strength
in this difficult time. Blessings and prayers for you as well.
Thank you Lynda–I’m beginning to think that I need to carry an umbrella at all times as it seems to be raining and pouring in our lives here these days—
It is a devastating loss. . .
Yet we know that things can be replaced and memories will remain–but to suddenly find yourself without even your toothbrush or a familiar pillow is certainly disconcerting—
I trust you have returned from the gala event form up north and that it was a delight to behold—I want to hear all about it. . .
Hugs and thank you for those needed prayers!–Julie
You have testified greatly to the God of all comfort, even in the midst of such devastation.
Words fail julie, only to say you have support from afar and in many places.
Thank you CS–there is indeed comfort in knowing that there is support and prayer–both near and far!
Much to mourn, yet much in which to offer thanks—
Hugs to you my friend—julie
It’s probably too soon to consider such things, but possibly down the road a ‘fund’ sent up if people wanted to help……….the needs are/will be great no doubt.
Yes, I’ve thought of that— they live across the state and are blessed that they have a wealth of family and friends in close proximity who I know will rally behind them as will their church–I’m just going to go get gift cards today in order just to offer for those thoughts of “oh, I need that too” moments which will be overwhelming –I just can’t imagine—but yet we see such after each devastating flood, tornado, fire. . .etc—we humans are a resilient lot. . .
So sorry to hear about this Julie. A home in my parent’s village was destroyed by fire last Friday. The fire was caused by an electrical appliance fault and the road is still closed to vehicles. Eight fire engines attended because of the proximity of other properties with thatched roofs. Tragic.
Thank you David– it’s so overwhelming- I just can’t imagine- her grand dad said it was 70 some odd years simply now gone
Oh, Julie, I’m so glad they are all okay. I’m so sorry to hear that their house burned to the ground as it is indeed so sad to lose all your life’s memories! May the Lord continue to comfort them and care for them in the days to come. Hugs, N 🙂 ❤