My sister Joan has earned a special place in God’s Garden.
If you take a look at hers, perhaps you’ll understand why.
It’s not her winter hibiscus, which is certainly worthy of consideration.
It’s not her tender-loving care, which buzzes as naturally as the bees.
It’s not the beauty of her garden, which does not compare to hers!
It’s not the furred and feathered friends she grows in her garden.
Rather, it’s her love.
Love deep enough that she spent years loving a lonely friend before helping her transition from this earth.
Love deep enough that she spent months in North Carolina helping to nurse her only daughter’s way-too-young husband through his tortuous demise from a brain tumor.
Love deep enough that she nursed her beloved husband of fifty years through a death that slowly stifled the air in his lungs.
Love deep enough that she cared for her mother every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month for the last few dementia-ridden years of her “Mother, Dear’s” life.
Love deep enough that last year she offered to give me the ultimate gift–her life.
For she didn’t know that I could live without my pancreas. But she did know that mine might have to come out on August 2, 2011. On that fateful day, when my surgeon, Dr. Hassoun, would open my body to see if anything could be done to save my life, Joan would do what she could to save me.
I looked into her soft blue-green eyes and felt the tears well up in mine. My God!
Now you see why God has a special place for my sister Joan in his Garden.
And now I see that God has planted His Garden on Earth–in Joan’s heart.
Beautiful tribute, Gayle. I also know you have been there for Joan in her times of need. It’s great that you can treasure this love between you.
It is what we do for each other in this world, isn’t it! Thank you.
My Dear Friend,
My tears continue to fall as I feel your heartfelt words written so beautifully and with such sincerity. Sisters are such a blessing in our lives. I love you, my sweet sister. Deb
I LOVE being your sister! 🙂 Sincerely!
Amen to this. Joan really is an exceptional woman!
I love it when others know her, too. Amen, indeed!
There is no more to say about our beloved sister you have said it all Gayle!
True…. Thank you for saying it, too!
Another beautiful post, Gayle, about a truly beautiful person!
Thank you, Pamela. Would you believe your feathered friend Merlin is still alive and well under her care!
Love deep enough to listen to tales of woe for years and never judging or tiring of it. Plus having a picture taken wih Santa Claus to seal the deal.
Don’t know if I could do that first one, but I could happily do that second one! 🙂 Thank goodness Joan can do them both.
How very beautiful. I had not idea of all that she had given. What compassion and love. I can feel such softness in her eyes. You are both so lucky to have each other. Love to you both.
The garden….how stunning. I would love to go there and meditate.
xoxo
I’m sure she would welcome you into her garden. Her arms encircle All! 🙂
Joan was also a faithful servant to the public working with the City, no? I know too how well she handled challenges I too have handled, my take, a strong and faithful woman filled with hope and determination in our here on earth…
Yes. She worked with the Redding’s finest at the Police Department. Lucky them!
That was absolutley beautiful, what a special and wonderful person she is.
(tears still down face) Her garden is gorgeous!! You are lucky Gayle to have such a special sister, I know I am thankful for my sister every day!
Thanks, Debbie! I love sharing her with someone who knows what I’m talking about. 🙂
Gayle,
I just met you this afternoon at the book fair. You gave me your blog site and asked for mine. There was something about your energy that was soooo????????? special? no true word comes to mind but having read some of your blog, I now know why.
I don’t really know you and tears are in my eyes reading about you and your sister. I have a sister much like her and I know how lucky I am to be in the same family.
Perhaps I will get the chance to know you a bit more. What a gift that would be.
Hi Nancy, How lucky we both are to have sisters like this! It was nice to meet you today!