Our Kevin's favorite surfspot
As of this week, Summer is officially here!
With plans for "fun in the sun," road trips, vacations and family reunions, this time of the year can also be one of the most emotional times for moms who have suffered the loss of a child.
Summer has always been that time of year, when our family played the hardest, tanned up and celebrated life in Southern California like there was no tomorrow. With songs like "Let's Go Surfing," "Surf City" and all the other Beach Boys and Journey songs ever made, the Green "boys" (including their Dad) were year round surfers, but when the days of Summer came, we partied!
We have countless memories (and photos) of days (sunrise to sunset) spent at the beach, in our jacuzzi, BBQ'ing, hosting backyard parties, sleepovers and pool parties at family and friend's pools, but mostly we remember those warm, lazy summer days we spent together as a family, just "hanging out" as Kevin would always say.
Our neighbor's son (who's name is Kevin) enlisted in the Army in February of this year, and his mom recently told me that he seems especially homesick, because it's summertime and their family (of 7 brothers and sisters) is playing, traveling together and making memories without him. Hearing news about this mom's son touched a part of me that reminds me that, I, too am "homesick" . . . missing and often longing for the Summer days, when our family was young and we were all together; not only am I homesick for Summer days gone by, I am homesick for Kevin.
Though blessed beyond what I deserve and grateful for each and every blessing, if I'm honest with myself, I cannot ignore the harsh reality that I am different, Summers (all seasons) are different - everything and everyone in our immediate and extended family are different, since Kevin left this earth for eternal summers in Heaven - - eternal sunshine in the presence of Jesus who is the "light of the world" and of Heaven - - there is no need for seasons where Kevin is now - - no phone calls and emails to make plans for "hanging out," because everyone THERE is in relationship and warmed by the SON constantly, eternally.
As a wife and mom who spent hours at the beach with my 4 surfers, when I first read Revelation 21:1 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea" I said "What? No ocean? No beach? How can that be? What's up with that, Father?" Of course, that immediately did away with my imagining Kevin surfing in Heaven, but the more I read and studied the book fo Revelation, the more I realized that the majesty and glory of heaven far surpasses anything a beach has to offer. Nevertheless, I am thankful that our family wallered and buried each other in the sand, swam with dolphins, dove for turtles and spent time together at the beach and for doing all the fun Summer days things that we did, because now is the time to enjoy the good things that the good earth God created has for us, His people. Now is the time to play with those we love. Now is the time to let the warmth and pleasure of Summer to rest in our hearts, souls, minds and to put on the sunscreen and "tan up"our lily white bodies, as Kevin would say, if he was here.
What thoughts, feelings and memories does the Summer season bring to your mother's heart? I am hoping that you, your family and friends are making LOTS of plans for Summer fun.
"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Love and Hugs, Angie
With plans for "fun in the sun," road trips, vacations and family reunions, this time of the year can also be one of the most emotional times for moms who have suffered the loss of a child.
Summer has always been that time of year, when our family played the hardest, tanned up and celebrated life in Southern California like there was no tomorrow. With songs like "Let's Go Surfing," "Surf City" and all the other Beach Boys and Journey songs ever made, the Green "boys" (including their Dad) were year round surfers, but when the days of Summer came, we partied!
We have countless memories (and photos) of days (sunrise to sunset) spent at the beach, in our jacuzzi, BBQ'ing, hosting backyard parties, sleepovers and pool parties at family and friend's pools, but mostly we remember those warm, lazy summer days we spent together as a family, just "hanging out" as Kevin would always say.
Our neighbor's son (who's name is Kevin) enlisted in the Army in February of this year, and his mom recently told me that he seems especially homesick, because it's summertime and their family (of 7 brothers and sisters) is playing, traveling together and making memories without him. Hearing news about this mom's son touched a part of me that reminds me that, I, too am "homesick" . . . missing and often longing for the Summer days, when our family was young and we were all together; not only am I homesick for Summer days gone by, I am homesick for Kevin.
Though blessed beyond what I deserve and grateful for each and every blessing, if I'm honest with myself, I cannot ignore the harsh reality that I am different, Summers (all seasons) are different - everything and everyone in our immediate and extended family are different, since Kevin left this earth for eternal summers in Heaven - - eternal sunshine in the presence of Jesus who is the "light of the world" and of Heaven - - there is no need for seasons where Kevin is now - - no phone calls and emails to make plans for "hanging out," because everyone THERE is in relationship and warmed by the SON constantly, eternally.
As a wife and mom who spent hours at the beach with my 4 surfers, when I first read Revelation 21:1 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea" I said "What? No ocean? No beach? How can that be? What's up with that, Father?" Of course, that immediately did away with my imagining Kevin surfing in Heaven, but the more I read and studied the book fo Revelation, the more I realized that the majesty and glory of heaven far surpasses anything a beach has to offer. Nevertheless, I am thankful that our family wallered and buried each other in the sand, swam with dolphins, dove for turtles and spent time together at the beach and for doing all the fun Summer days things that we did, because now is the time to enjoy the good things that the good earth God created has for us, His people. Now is the time to play with those we love. Now is the time to let the warmth and pleasure of Summer to rest in our hearts, souls, minds and to put on the sunscreen and "tan up"our lily white bodies, as Kevin would say, if he was here.
What thoughts, feelings and memories does the Summer season bring to your mother's heart? I am hoping that you, your family and friends are making LOTS of plans for Summer fun.
"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Love and Hugs, Angie
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