There are moments that take place that remind me/us that this journey is not just our, my husband and I’s, journey. Our family and friends are also alongside us on this path. I think so many times I just assume that everyone carries on with their own lives and just leaves us to deal with our own…but then I am sent hearts from far and wide or I am sent texts, I receive phone calls…and sometimes we receive beautiful gifts.
I want to share with you all two very beautiful gifts that have recently been received.
The stained glass that you see above was presented to Jack and I on Thanksgiving. We were at home preparing the house for our guests to arrive. Jack’s Dad and Sister came into the house as I was sitting in the living room enjoying my Grandma’s company. I could tell that Dad was hiding something in his coat. He looked at me with a soft face and stated, “I have something for you but it’s going to be a little weird.” I wasn’t sure what to expect. He went on to tell me that 20 years ago he had done some work for an artist in Belleville. Once his work was completed he had asked the man to make a piece for his wife. Jack and I had never seen this piece before and Dad told us that it was uncovered just that morning as his family was beginning to decorate for Christmas. As soon as Dad pulled the piece slowly out of his coat to present it to me he asked, what does this look like to you? I immediately said it looks like a heart. As I stared at the piece and analyzed it further I realized that it also had a resemblance to Jackie’s Our Jack of Hearts design and further still…it resembles angel wings. Now, others may see something else however these are exactly the things that Dad saw. I asked him if he had a moment and he said yes. My heart was full of happiness knowing that Jackie’s PawPaw had experienced a moment with his Grandson. As we walked through the house looking for its rightful home to be displayed we all spoke about the weirdness of this treasure. Weird how much it looks like Jackie’s heart design, weird that it also looks like angle wings, and weird that it was made 20 years ago. I looked at my Dad as he walked near me and said, “Everything happens for a reason.”
Though my voice sometimes cracks as I say the line everything happens for a reason there are moments that have taken place that truly make me believe that this statement is real. Sometimes it just serves as a soothing way to fight back my anger and sadness but other times it seems to actually hold true. Looking at this stained glass piece gives me all the feels. It only confirmed for me that Jackie’s purpose is so much larger than I can even wrap my mind around at this time. He has already made an impact and he will only continue to do so.
The next gift that you see was given to me last night by three of my dearest friends. It was secretly placed in my trunk and this morning I was sent a text, “Good morning, ladies! Ashley, in the very back of your car is a gift from the 3 of us. It is just a little something to remind you of how much we love you and are thinking of you.” I was lying in bed as I read those words and though I was planning to just stay in bed for a while longer I instantly jumped up, ran to my purse for my keys, put on a hoodie and flip-flops and ran out to my car. I brought inside with me a box wrapped in gold stars with a card taped to it that had my name. I opened the card first and instantly began to cry as I read my friends beautiful words, “Ashley, we love you unconditionally. We grieve with you, we hurt for you, we too see the waves on the horizon. While we know there is nothing we can do or say that will relieve you of the pain you feel, we will always be there for you when you need us.” As a river flowed down my cheeks I opened the box to find an envelope with the words you see above. Inside that envelope are pictures of a balloon release that my friends had for Jackie last weekend. Ugly crying by this time, I dug further into the box to find a green bag with something wrapped in dragonfly tissue paper. I slowly unwrapped this gift to find a wind chime. I noticed a heart in a green bag…the river of tears continued to flow from my eyes as I read the words, “I will hold you in my heart until I hold you in heaven.”
I am still tearful as I type this post to share with you all.
I want to take a moment to state that these are not the only sentimental, thoughtful, wonderful gifts that have been given to us and I hope that by sharing these two that I do not upset anyone that has sent us or given us gifts in the past that I have not showcased on the blog. Each and every gift is cherished. Each and every gift has a specific/special resting place in our home where we showcase them. I cannot express to you all how grateful we truly are. As we head into December my heart is full of the love that you all have given to us. You are our strength! You have proven time and time again that no matter how much time passes you are here and you are not going anywhere. We are thankful for each and every one of you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
We love you Jackie!
#ourjackofhearts #angelmommy #thanksgivingsurprise #thisoneisforJackie