As we all prepare for this season of “March Madness”, we share a quote by the legendary coach John Wooden. “Things work out best for people who make the best of the way things work out.” When it came to Sammy’s life, we often said that we were preparing ourselves for the worst but hoping for the best. We could quote the medical statistics of HPE backward and forward, so we were never in denial about the severity of the situation. We’re sure that other people probably felt sorry for us, but we never felt sorry for ourselves. We made the best of it, and in return, we had the best time!
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Girls’ Weekend
3 MarI (Leslie) went out of town over the weekend for a girls’ weekend. My friend, Heather (Harrison’s mom), and I traveled to Bowling Green, Kentucky to meet up with two other friends from Alabama, Marki and Marilyn. All four of us have experienced the death of a child, and we gathered together in a rustic log cabin to share our stories and share our hearts. Although it might sound like a sad experience, it wasn’t. Of course, we all talked about our children and experiences, but we also laughed and enjoyed each other’s company! It was good.
What do children do in heaven?
13 FebWe have been amazed at the number of messages we have received from total strangers who have stumbled across Sammy’s website. Last week, Monica from Alexandria, Indiana, sent us a passage from a book entitled, “Letter from Heaven”. This passage is a fictional answer to the question of “What do children do in heaven?”
…The first thing you might have noticed is that heaven is filled with their singing and laughter. They play together in grassy fields, catching bright-colored butterflies, giving them a quick kiss, and watching them fly away. In heaven, children can soar with the birds over a rainbow. Their laughter rings out like silver bells. Small groups of children sometimes spread out on their tummies on the velvet grass, coloring pictures with crayons of iridescent colors only seen in heaven.
During my long walk, I passed one little boy who was lying in a flower-covered meadow reading a book with his head resting on the back of a lion. A tiny lamb, pure and clean as snow, was curled up next to him. What a picture of total peace, security, and contentment. I saw the pleasure the animals bring to the children as they played together. Rosy-cheeked children were shouting merrily as they played hide-and-go-seek with baby kangaroos. Two little boys were taking a ride on the back of a graceful tiger. Another pair of adventuresome little girls were soaring through the cloudless sky on the wings of an eagle. Their hair was blowing straight out behind them as their joyous laughter rang through the pristine air. What a sight!
Are you surprised we have animals here in heaven? Why wouldn’t there be? When God first created the human race, He put the animals under our protective care. Animals are very special to God. The children are able to enjoy their playfulness without any trace of harm or danger just as God intended when He created them. Never forget that animals had a special place in the garden, they have a special place there on earth, and they have a special place here in heaven where you can enjoy them in complete safety forever.
…..Children in heaven are joyfully cared for and tenderly loved by Jesus, the angels, and their many friends. As part of God’s family, they’re never sad or lonely. They love their family on earth but now with an intense, perfected love that is eternal. And one day, as they are swinging on the garden gate, they will see their parents and other loved ones who accepted God’s gift of forgiveness step over the border into heaven!
Sammy Yammy and HoPE 