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Heaven isn't so far away...
Marijke's Message Board
Lauren
96 post s
2-Apr-2008
1:54 PM
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On Saturday, March 29th, Marijke's (great) Aunt Jackie joined our Marijke in Heaven... I received the call during my 7-year old son's baseball practice. I was so saddened by her sudden passing... just then, my son came running over for a water break. I told him the news and without a second's hestitation, he turned to me and said excitedly, "You mean Aunt Jackie is with our Marijke right now??!!" with such joy in his eyes. Just the words I needed to hear since I was so very sad... My mind instantly went from grief to a vision of the two of them hand in hand up there... Marijke giving her aunt the official "tour" of Heaven and Aunt Jackie, who always planned the most awesome parties would have to say, "Well, I'm here now - - are we going to throw a party for me or what?" :) I also know that the two of them are with Aunt Jackie's daughter who died at 19 in a car accident back in 1975. The beautiful vision of the 3 of them made me realize just how close our Heaven is... A story from Aunt Jackie that I thought was worth sharing: A few years ago, I found myself in an Ocean City bar/restaurant with my mother, grandmother, & Aunt Jackie. We had decided to have a women's weekend at the beach & those were the 4 of us that were up for a little trouble that night... :) (For the record, I may very well have been the only customer in the bar that was under the age of 40... and despite my initial concerns, I had a wonderful time). During the evening, Aunt Jackie & I got to talking about losing her daughter. She turned to me & said, "Well, Lauren, I've lived 77 years. 76 of them were great years and 1 of those years was not. That's pretty darn good, don't you think?" I will never forget that. I couldn't argue with it. My aunt had a truly unbelievable life filled with such joy & happiness despite that tragedy almost 33 years ago... We sure miss you, Aunt Jackie. Give our Marijke a kiss for us & enjoy your party!!
Last Edited on 2-Apr-2008 1:56 PM
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cait
2 post s
6-Apr-2008
1:05 PM
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lauren, i'm so glad you posted that story. every time they mentioned patty ann at aunt jackie's funeral i just cringed inside. it hurts so badly to think of that loss, especially since losing marijke.
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Lauren
98 post s
11-Apr-2008
7:24 PM
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Hi there, Cait!! :)
Yes, it definitely takes a strong & a faithful person to focus on what they have left instead of what they have lost. As a mother myself, I can think of nothing worse to cope with than losing a child - any mother would lay their life down for their children. But sadly, that is usually not an option. Aunt Jackie showed us that with a strong faith in God, a mother can persevere. And more than just persevere, a mother can have an amazing and full life. That she did, that she did!! I know Marijke watches us and appreciates us focusing on what we have left and not what we have lost... Personally, when I feel sad or even angry that she is gone, she almost instantly dries my tears, fills me with peace, and reminds me that she hasn't really left us at all... Heaven isn't so far away at all...
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