Today I am honored to share the reflections of a beautiful cousin on the 20th anniversary of her mother’s premature death.

How bitter sweet to be so graciously remembered.

How inspiring to strive to leave such gift to our own loved ones.

Thank you Breanne Julia.

 

 

Today marks twenty years since God welcomed you home.  

Twenty years since we said goodbye.

Twenty years of missing you. 

Twenty years of learning that love never truly leaves us. 

Because of you…

I know unconditional love exits.

I know wisdom runs deeper than the brain.

I know a listening compassionate ear can tend to many of life’s ailments. 

I know joy can be found in the simplest moments.

I know strength can exist in quietly speaking your truth.

I know a home can be your sanctuary.

I know surrounding yourself with beauty in never frivolous… it has a way of nourishing the soul.

I know there is love in the meals we prepare, the tables we gather around, and the people we welcome in.

I know the most imperative things in life cannot always be measured by others.

I know you never truly know what someone is carrying by only looking in from the outside. 

I know our peace deserves our protection.

I know gentleness is never weakness. 

I know faith can carry us through what we cannot yet understand.

I know there is always good worth believing in.

I know presence is one of the greatest gifts we can offer another. 

I know healing sometimes begins with simply being with someone.

I know tenderness leaves a lasting legacy.

I know laughter still belongs… especially alongside sorrow.

I know beauty is something we can choose to create.

I know belonging can be cultivated.

I know love lives on.