Saturday the Lord blessed us with the most beautiful sunny day. As with all big events that take months to plan, there were a few glitches along the way...people didn't show up at their appointed times, the DJ got lost, wedding started 40 minutes late, but none of those things put a damper on my sister's joy. She radiated with joy.
Her.Heart.Giggled.All.Day.Long!
You could not wipe the smile off her face. Her heart was so happy. And her children were so happy. The speeches my nieces and nephew gave brought people to tears.
This family of 4, mama and three kiddos, have literally walked through the valley of the shadow of death. Each in their own way, they battled through it and came out on the other side. Scarred and changed, but stronger and more mature than when they were thrown unwillingly into the battle of terminal cancer.
Each of them thanked Ronnie, better known as Papa Bear to them, from their hearts. Thanking him for entering into their lives and helping them grow and work thru their grief. And for loving them all through their walks. Mariah said, "I don't like the name 'step-dad', you'll always be my Papa Bear."
They told him when their daddy died, they never thought another man could come close to loving them and accepting them and they all thanked him for stepping up to the challenge to be a father figure to them, but most importantly, for loving and caring for their mama and making her giggle and smile.
Watching this familiy blend together over the past 4 years has been incredible. To witness them learning to trust and to love, to let another man into their lives, accepting and loving their two stepbrothers. Beautiful.
This little family has experienced so much pain. Their paternal grandfather - grandpa - has buried both his sons and almost two years ago, the love of his life of 50 years. Such heartache. Such sadness. Mercy, I cannot even begin to imagine what the pain must be like to bury your child, but both your children way to young. That's not how life is supposed to work. Children are supposed to bury their parents, not the other way around.
Grandpa has been this little family's rock for the past six years. Helping my sister to guide and raise 3 teenagers. Counseling, talking, and just listening and being there for his grandkids. Nurturing his son's legacy through such difficult times.
Once again, grandpa was there, loving his kids, his daughter~in~love, as he watched her and encouraged her to live life, to grasp happiness, to not be afraid to love again. He is a wonderful man that I am honored to be able to love and call grandpa also.
Sister's parents could not be at the wedding. They had come for a visit early in the summer that was supposed to be a couple weeks long and they planned to return for the wedding. The visit ended up being several weeks long due to an elderly parent becoming very ill. Grandpa was there to happily fill in for the father~daughter dance, to give the fatherly love and support that each girl needs on her wedding day.
Family and friends alike joined together to watch this man and this woman become one in holy matrimony.
Sister, may you find much love, happiness, friendship, passion, companionship, and contentment in your new life. Always keep your eyes on Jesus...that's the key!
"So they are no longer two, but one. therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Matthew 19:6
Resting In Jesus,
~s
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