Re: My First Christmas In Heaven
 

Renda, I'm glad I finally clicked on this thread :) Thaanks for sharing.

Re: My First Christmas In Heaven
 

Wow. For the seconfd time tonight, I've got tears in my eyes. But this time, those tears have been running down my face.

The other night, I had a dream. I dreamed I had caught a little bird and put it in a cage. It was a song bird and I wanted to hear it sing all the time, so I hung the cage on my porch. But the bird never made a sound. It just sat there. So... I turned it loose and it flew up into the tree and began singing for all it was worth.

As some know, I lost my Lola on Feb. 6. Its been a rough year. But, I was determined to hold on to Lola until Feb. 6, '09. Then I would take off my wedding band and let her go. I've wanted to see Lola again in a dream. Or hear her voice. But... I've had no dreams but one or two. But its been awhile. So heres the dream: Lola is the bird. I have had her caged in my grief. When I let her go... she will be free and then can come to me in my memories. I had decided that Christmas morning, I'd go to the cemetary and spend one more Christmas with her. There, I would take off my wedding band and let her go.

But... I wasn't sure. Was this the right thing to do? I prayed about it. Then I read Renda's poem. That was Lola. She was telling me that its time. Thank you Renda for sharing this. I know now this is what Lola would want. Y'all pray for me. I think this will be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.

Re: My First Christmas In Heaven
 

OA, I did not know your story. I am so glad to see how this thread has encouraged you. I will be praying for you this Christmas season.

Re: My First Christmas In Heaven
 

That was beautiful, OA!!!! I believe the Lord has prepared you for that event on Christmas morning. I will be saying a prayer for you on Christmas Day!!! God Bless!

Re: My First Christmas In Heaven
 

Same here! We love and support you. Even last February, you had such a great attitude and sweet humble spirit. God has certainly blessed you and I believe the best is yet ahead for you!

Re: My First Christmas In Heaven
 

tstew,

Oh, Brother, you just don't know. I don't know if you can go back that far, but, go back to February and see how these people encouraged me. You'll then see why I think of these folks as my family. I have never met any of the people here except two: Sis Esther and Bro Raven. Well, and PastorRick1959, but he rarely posts (I've known him since he was a snot nosed kid- come to think of it, I think I was too!) But for a bunch of people I have never seen and may never meet, I've come to know them as some of the finest bunch of Christians I have never met. And that includes you. This is my family. Its my church fellowship and I appreciate you all!

Re: My First Christmas In Heaven
 

I know that there are times when this forum catches some heat from people, and I know that there are those who question a lot about the members here. However, everytime I run into a thread like this and see the Christ-like reactions and the apparent love and concern, I am reminded of why I'm here in the first place.

Re: My First Christmas In Heaven
 

I'm so glad I posted this today - - it's helped me too to know that it's helped others!

I love you guys!

Re: My First Christmas In Heaven
 

I'm with ya, Bro. I just scoot around all the "Bombshell" threads and the "Hey, did ya hear about...." posts, and look for threads like this one. I come here sometimes and get so frustrated by the "yak-yak" threads, then, just when I'm about ready to give up, somebody posts a thread like this. And the people. I may not agree with some of them, but, I gotta tell ya, for a bunch of people I wouldn't know if I met them on the street, I really love the AFF gang.

Re: My First Christmas In Heaven
 

Renda, thanks for posting your poem and the pic of your mom. I'm jealous of those with such a close family.

OA, it's been a long time since I've spoken privately with you, but you continue to always be on my mind and in my prayers. I can't believe it's been almost a year already.