She Walks The Streets of Gold...

 Today my former sister-in-law, Renee will be laid to rest.

She bravely fought brain cancer for many years, but

this terrible disease finally won last Sunday

when she slipped away with her family at her side.

She would have been forty one years old on August 31st.

 All her adult life, her children were her reason for living.

She adored her son and daughter and placed their health,

well-being, safety and happiness above all else.

She would have sacrificed anything to protect the from harm.

She and I rarely saw eye to eye for many years...and I had no contact

with her following her divorce from my younger brother.

My misguided idea of family loyalty kept me from being a true friend,

but I'm happy to say that as her days wound down, God softened my heart.

She knew before she passed that she had a new champion in her corner

 to watch over her children...especially her twelve year old daughter. 

Her son is already twenty and a capable adult.

I'll be there to help Renee's mother care for Renee's "princess".

 This is the way I'll choose to remember Renee...

Happy, with her children at her side.

 

“For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river,
and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried 

on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, 

so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” 

When you see this, your heart will rejoice, and you will flourish like grass; 

the hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants, 

but his fury will be shown to his foes.” 

                                                                                      - Isaiah 66: 12-14

She's free now. No more illness or pain - safe in God's arms.

She had to go, but she hasn't left her children.

I know that she'll watch over them for eternity as she walks the Streets of Gold.