Yesterday was a hard day. I am slowly giving way to the grieving. Trying to figure out how to grieve, how to glorify God, how to get life done in the midst of this pain.
The UPS guy came by yesterday. He came by 1 week ago and peeped in to see Lydia, as he's done for months. It use to be that she would run to the door when she knew it was him. As her health deteriorated she'd crane her neck from the sofa to see him. Last Tuesday she lay in her bed, in a coma and she could not see him. Willie met him at the door, first time he had ever met him, and they hugged. Nothing makes me cry like the sight of two grown men, strangers at that, embracing. Willie asked if he'd like to see her and he nodded yes. He came and stood at the yellow room threshold, hat off and over his heart. He wept.
Yesterday the boys were playing and I heard Sam say, "Lydia's sleeping". Luke was quick to correct him and proclaim, "No she's not. She's in Heaven." We've started reading this book, a gift from my sweet Kim, and it is helping Luke through this process. It is helping me through this process.
Lydia loved to collect "treasure". When we moved from Clayton to Richmond she was most concerned about her Rubbermaid container full of rocks. She would often hunt for special rocks, pieces of mulch, mangled plastic something-or-others and keep them in her room. A couple of episodes of "Hoarders" and she decided that her treasure pile was overwhelming her. Months before her death she had started to weed through her collection and only keep a few treasures.
Her favorite verse at the end of her life was "Where your treasure is there your heart will be also". Willie and I used this very verse on our wedding day. As a favor I wrapped a Hersey treasure with a Dove chocolate heart in tulle and tied a ribbon that held this verse onto the small memento. The love that binds us together is Christ ~ our treasure and our focus.
My heart is tied to Eternity.
Jesus is our ultimate treasure.
Lydia is a treasure too.
Sweet to think we have another little treasure waiting for us in Heaven.
 |
| Lydia holding one of her "treasures" |
For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21
I should have known better than to attempt to take a bite of cereal and read your blog. I almost aspirated because I was swallowing and crying.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing how your family has affected your UPS guy! I can only imagine the embrace and it makes me cry. I'm sure he's forever changed.
Of course, I am wondering how often your UPS guy comes that you developed such a sweet relationship. Our UPS guys throws our pkg on the porch and rings the bell, by the time I get to the door he's back in his truck.
I love that sweet sweet girl so much ... and her mama.
ReplyDeleteThe UPS guy, the maintenance guys who retrieved her treasured mulch, neighbors, strangers ... no matter. Lydia's precious heart and love for Jesus was irresistible!
Stacey - What a sweet blog post. I know that UPS man loved Lydia and her sweet Spirit just as much as any of us. Thank you for sharing all of this with us. We are grieving with you and cherishing the memories we have of your Lydia.
ReplyDeleteBTW, as a fellow homeschooler, I love her "homeschool girl" shirt!
Love you... surrounding you with hugs and many prayers... :)
I KNEW there was an awesome story of the picture you posted last week of the UPS man. So glad you shared it with us. Love you
ReplyDeleteOnce again you open the door to your heart and it is a beautiful one. When the pastor talked about Lydia s collection Jasmine whisper to me " Mommy remember all the rocks she collected from her house?" I smiled as a tear came down my checks at the sight of her face. Your life has taught me so much, how to live the day the moment with my children...I know I will never do it like you do but I pray I would show them the Love of Jesus like you do to your children.
ReplyDeleteKim, you are right about that!
ReplyDeleteWas able to attend celebration last Friday and it was awsome. Didn't get to meet you in person, but will always be here for you! Have some pretty strong shoulders for you and Willie if I'm ever needed!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you as you are trying to adjust.
Lindsay would be 11 today...I miss her everyday, but I too know we will be together again.
Greg Adams
Lgregadams@yahoo.com
Even so come Lord Jesus. . . loving you today.
ReplyDeleteYou are the most inspiring person that I know, your strength and faith are incredible to witness. I find myself checking your blog everyday just to see what you have to say. It strengthens my faith to read your words and helps me to see whats important in life and not what the world would have you believe is important. We pray everyday for you and your family and always will no matter what. If there is anything we can do, you know we will be there. Love you all
ReplyDeleteErick
The Bible and God's promises always got me through and when I heard the lyrics of this song it kinda says how I felt some days when I was missing my son who is now in heaven. Wish I could help you with your pain but God can do a much better job of that than I could. Here are the words to Mercy Me song Homesick
ReplyDeleteYou're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home
I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again
And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now
So precious!! I have visited the nest often o the past few days and each time I have been blessed!! Today I watched the life celebration service...it was as inspirational as it was beautiful!! Now I visit and read of the treasures!! So touched by the story of the UPS man & Willie! I know the two of them have been changed forever!! Tears still flow from my eyes as I read of how Little Luke explained that Lydia is now in Heaven to Little Sam...and how Lydia found in rocks and mulch a treasure like none other!! Now she is that most precious Treasure in Heaven!! Thank You for sharing the nest with us!! Sending Lots of Love & Hugs to you all!!
ReplyDeleteMrs Byrd,
ReplyDeleteYou don't know me, and who I am isn't really important. I do want you to know that for last few months from way out in California I've been praying for you, your family, and Lydia. I heard about Lydia and this incredible story of faith, grace, and God's love through friends of yours asking me to pray. What Lydia experienced broke my heart, but your reaction and faithfulness to God has spoken to me over and over. In many ways praying for your family and following this blog has allowed God to show Himself to me in remarkable ways challenging me to increase my faith in Him. Thank you so much for your testimony. I wish I could have met Lydia. It doesn't take much to see that she was an amazing girl. From the bottom of my heart I want you and your family to know that you will still be in my prayers. God bless you!
I am moved deep and bowed low before God at His grace in your lives. At our Lord in you...
ReplyDeleteYou minister to me, lives poured out, the sweetest fragrance of Christ.
Hushed and worshiping with you...
All's grace,
Ann
praying for your family. you, your family and sweet Lydia have touched my life in countless ways.
ReplyDeleteTill all things are made new,
Lori Raches
Michigan
Dear Stacey,
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine sent me your blog. She said she didn't know why she was doing it, perhaps because I am a writer who writes about Trusting Life, or simply because she felt led. But whatever the reason, I'm so happy that she did.
Please know you are surrounded by prayers and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. You are quite an inspiration and I thank you for allowing me to experience such a beautiful soul.
Love,
Leslie
We have never met but you have touched me in so many ways. Your positivity and faith in the face of such a heart wrenching battle have changed the way I look at life and remind me to treasure every precious moment with my children. Lydia and your family will forever be in my heart.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my thoughts and prayers. Your posts have moved me beyond words. It has made reach for a stronger relationship with Jesus. Lydia's life is an example of how we all should live and I thank you for sharing that. You will continue to be in my prayers as you wait for your treasure in Heaven, may God continue to give you strength in the days, months and years ahead. God bless your sweet family.
ReplyDelete