JOY

My dear friend Vanessa's mom met Jesus early this morning. She battled blood cancer for 10 years and man did she fight. Her name is JOY and that is what she was. An amazing woman after God's own heart. There are so many encouraging things that she did for so many people. I think the truest testament is her kids. They are strong, courageous and genuinely loving. She truly exemplified Jesus in her selflessness.

When I was in Atlanta over Thanksgiving I got to spend an afternoon with her. She held Hampton and calmed him- she laughed at Little B singing Beiber. But most of all she told me how she had been praying for my family and knew that the Lord was looking out for the good of us. I asked her how she did it with three kids as I was struggling with two. She laughed and told me that she spread her kids far apart(7 years between the first and 5 years between the other two) and that what I was doing was hard. I will always cherish that sweet afternoon not knowing it would be my last time with her. I will always feel her presence as Vanessa continues to grow and be just as amazing as her.

I am flying to Birmingham this weekend to be with the neighborhood and mourn our loss and celebrate her life. As I cried to Jenn about it yesterday- she reminded me that Holly (Jenn's mom) will be greeting her very soon and they will watch down over us together. I cry even more but have great JOY knowing Mrs. Joy got to meet her first grandson, Garrison and that she knows that Jenn is pregnant.

I continue to be reminded more and more that this life is temporary- to make the most of each day as we never know when we will be called to our permanent home. In the last two and a half years I have mourned three special people in my life- Ms. Holly, my niece Evalyn and now Mrs. Joy. Join with me in praying for the Wilson family.

Little B was smitten with Mrs. Joy the first time they met.

Mrs. Joy was known for her love for music- she sang at Vanessa's wedding and Ms. Holly's funeral "This Little Light of Mine." During Hampton's tough weeks I would sing that song to calm him down. I will always have both of my "other mothers" legacies around me- Ms. Holly's painting- and Mrs. Joy's favorite song to sing.