Hero

I saw my Grandma today.

Even though it's been 2 1/2 months since she's passed into eternity.

I was watching my pastor preach about "in spite of it all" on video and all of a sudden, there she was.

Sitting in her usual seat, wearing her navy blue suit, holding her Bible in her hands and looking amazing for 80 years old.

It took me by surprise.

It was a service in April. Who knew that a mere two months later she would be gone.

I miss her. As I looked at the video of her, I saw how beautiful she was.

I hope she knows the amazing blessings that God has given her family in the short time since she went home. I hope she knows just how much love still lives on for her and all that she was.

Today, September 11, 2007, people all over America and all over the world are remembering loss in their lives and loss in the life of our amazing country. Commemorating the significance of our fellow human beings, our family, our friends, our community, our government, our soldiers, our immigrants, our native ancestors, our poor, our rich, our heroes, our comrades and even our enemies.

Today, I pay homage to those lives loved and lost on 09/11/01. Today, I understand more than ever before the meaning of the word HERO.

Heroes die every day. That's part of being a hero. Giving all you have to what's most important to you. I lost one of my greatest heroes on June 22, 2007.

So now, the mantle is passed. Who will step up to become a hero to the next generation. Who will be the next ones that we take a day to remember their great contributions to our lives?

There will be others.

I hope I am one of them.

Thank you Grandma, giving me a chance to become a hero like you.

God bless my family

and

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

Queen Cat

Ups and Downs

It's September and I can't believe how much has happened since January. I look back at my posts at the beginning of the year and the anticipation I had for the next 12 months. I knew deep down that this year would be extraordinary.... but in my mind, the extraordinary events were very different from what has actually happened.

So far, it's been a year of ups and downs... to the greatest of extremes. I've lost love ones, I've had love ones start their journey back home, I've dealt with fear, faith, doubt, love, hate, excitement, despair. And I can honestly say, I am stronger for it all.

The most recent ups and downs include two current events in my life....

I'm so disappointmet that there are people who I thought would never ever be out of my life that have decided to go down a different path in life. Unfortunately for them, I'm not the one who is going to lose.... I will remain steadfast and I will be blessed beyond compare for it. Just watch and see.

And I am encouraged to see someone in my life make an effort to right the wrongs that they've done that have hurt themselves, and me in the process. It may be a long road, but just the fact that there is progress is something that just a few short weeks ago seemed unthinkable.

Miracles still happen.

In spite of disappointments and encouragements, life still trudges on.... and I get up every morning, wondering what the day will bring and thanking God for every day He has made... I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Lord, fill me with a fire that burns away my doubts and all my fears into a place where you are all I hear... it's the one thing I desire...

Queen Catherella