Happy Birthday in Heaven…

I was talking to my Mom today and she told me a story about her sister Dolores. Today is Aunt Dolores’s birthday. Birthdays were very important to Aunt. We have close to 100 family members in our family and her goal in her life was to remember every last one of them.

Mom reminded me this morning that her and Aunt talked every day on the phone their entire life. In fact Mom said, even now when your Aunt is in heaven, I reach for the phone to share a story like we used to everyday of our life.

Happy Birthday in heaven dear sister Dolores, Mom said this morning with tears in her voice.

This story reminds me how important it is to appreciate, validate and love those important to you everyday. I found this poem today as I was reflecting on my conversation with Mom and her memory of Aunt Dolores. This poem is from an unknown author and reads like this…

“I’m sending a dove to heaven with a parcel on it’s wings, be careful when you open it, it’s full of beautiful things. Inside are a million kisses, wrapped up in a million hugs, to say how much I miss you, and to send you all my love. I hold you close with in my heart and there you remain to walk with me throughout my life until I see you again.”

The love Mom and Aunt shared was one of inspiration for anyone. Their relationship never wavered. One could catch them on the phone each day, sometimes twice and definitely if someone was celebrating, challenged or sick. They cried, laughed, supported and loved each other with each word.

Today, I sensed an emptiness in Mom. As I try and console her by saying the clinch phrase, “well it takes time, Mom it’s only a year. She quickly corrected me by saying, “this hole in my heart is not one that will improve in time, until I see my best friend again. I could say nothing to help Mom today, but simply agree.

Published by John Chianelli, Writer

I am second. I will share my experiences, as a child of God, husband to Daniel, father, best friend, brother, son, leader, professor, writer and photographer. My intention for this blog is to be random, with no plan, no list, no direction and no expectations. Very different from how I lived my past life. My journey has been blessed by the mercy and grace of God and unwavering love. I hope you enjoy reading and sharing my experiences of hurts, laughter, discovery, friendships, Christ, and my family. Temenos is a safe circle where you can be yourself with peace of mind. Temenos originates from a Greek word which refers to a universal instinct to create a protected, safe space in which to heal, restore and regenerate yourself. My temenos circle is a place to be still and seek Jesus. It becomes my place to pray, reflect in the word of our Lord to shrink, grow in him, and heal my soul. What is your temenos circle? By: John Chianelli ©John Chianelli and Temenos Circle. 2016-2011. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided the full and clear credit is given to John Chianelli and Temenos Circle with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. View more posts