Missy's older sister Sarah asked for people to wear Grey for Missy today. It has been amazing to log into facebook, twitter and instagram and see everyone decked out in grey. The girls and I put on our grey this morning and talked about Aunt Missy. Leighton reminded me (as she always does) that Missy lives in all of our hearts with Jesus and she is always there. The girls added some pink into their outfits because pink and Missy go hand in hand :) It felt good to smile.
I wanted to take the girls to do something fun because Aunt Missy was so fun and full of life. It didn't seem right to just sit around in our grey. Missy would want us to be out having fun. So off we headed to the park. It has been such a beautiful day. I can feel her with us.
Leighton wanted to show me that she made a heart like "Where Missy lives." Sometimes I am overwhelmed with how much she "gets it." When I am having trouble accepting that she's gone and begin to question God, my sweet Leighton is always there to remind me of the truth. She is with Jesus...in my heart. Forever. God whispers to me through my baby, even when I don't want to hear him. He's there.
Watching my beautiful babies run around and enjoy the sunshine made my heart smile. Seeing them enjoy being outside and running free reminded me of Missy. Her laughter, her joyous nature, the sunshine that just BEAMED from her. it's alive and well. Her presence will always be deeply deeply missed but her memory will always live on.
Choosing joy is hard somedays. Choosing to smile when you feel like crying. Choosing to celebrate when you feel like being alone. Choosing to move forward when you want to be stuck in the "whys" of it all. Missy was all about choosing joy. I need to choose joy more often. I know she would tell me to after she told me to pray on it :)
There will never be a day that goes by where I don't wish Missy was still here with us. I long to hear her laugh. Hear her tell a funny story. Have her opinion on a situation. I miss her. Every single day I miss her. Everyone misses her. She's here. She lives in our heart with Jesus just like Leighton says.
I'm thankful today for the best friend I had for so many years and for so many people who are loving her and thinking of her today. There are so many people out there that are hurting but are choosing joy today for themselves and for our sweet, sweet, Missy.
Visit Sarah's blog to see everyone who is honoring our girl and wearing grey today. It has truly made my heart smile.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. --James 1: 2-4
Love you so much, sweet Mandy. xoxoxo
ReplyDelete