“Well, that was life. Gladness and pain…hope and fear…and change. Always change! You could not help it. You had to let go of the old and take the new to your heart…learn to love it and then let it go in turn. Spring, lovely as it was, must yield to summer and summer lose itself to autumn. The birth…the bridal…the death…”

~Anne of Ingleside, L.M. Montgomery.

“Go forth today, by the help of God’s Spirit, vowing and declaring that in life—-come poverty, come wealth, in death—come pain or come what may, you are and ever must be the Lord’s.  For this is written on your heart, ‘We love Him because He first loved us.”

~ Charles Spurgeon

This quote by C.S. Lewis comes from Mere Christianity

Most of us find it very difficult to want “Heaven” at all – except in so far as “Heaven” means meeting again our friends who have died. One reason for this difficulty is that we have not been trained: our whole education tends to fix our minds on this world. Another reason is that when the real want for Heaven is present in us, we do not recognize it. Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.”

I added a C.S. Lewis quote this week because yesterday was the anniversary of his death. He died the same day as John F. Kennedy 55 years ago.

On the lighter side…or heavier.

“When you are overweight, no matter how wrinkled your jeans are when you pull them out of the dryer they will be smooth as silk when you put them on!” ~ ellen b.

The photo I chose for the top of this post this week was taken a few years ago when my friend Heidi and I were reunited with our friend Alice (in the middle) from our single years. Alice made the remark that we were “partners in crime” some 35 years previous to the time of this photo. Alice lived in San Francisco and would travel to L.A. to spend time and we would escape to San Francisco and spend time with her. Alice died on Tuesday and we were so shocked and saddened to hear that news. Alice’s death prompted a long phone call between Heidi and me. Keep your friends close…

On the same day that Alice died, we received word that a lifetime family friend passed away, too. George was the youngest member of a family that was dear and close to our family from my parents days in Persia. Our hearts are heavy. Praying for George’s family that they will find comfort and peace with the Lord. I don’t have a photo of George. We saw him recently at our Pop’s funeral. He made the effort to come even though he was ill and suffering. He was also at our mom’s funeral and gave a sweet tribute. Rest in Peace, George.