My dad and his twin sisters, Lillie & Rosie

Aunt Rosie.  Easy going.  Ever steady.  Always smiling.  Never complaining.  Ever know anyone like that?  I did...my aunt Rosie.  This picture is my dad with Rosie on his right and her twin sister, Lillie on his left.  Rosie seemed to always be where her family was.  She played the piano quite often at church, and was just there to help in whatever way was needed.  Rosie was a servant.  Always waiting on others.  Happy to be with the people she knew and loved.  She was much like her mother, Pearl, who was my sweet grandmother.  Many Sunday afternoons were spent at grandma and grandpa's singing around the piano, with Rosie right in the middle!  Food was on the stove and us kids were either outside playing or inside getting ready for "Lassie" or "Lawrence Welk" on the four-legged black and white TV sitting in the living room.  What warm and colorful memories!

This past year we lost Rosie after a rather sudden battle with cancer.  It will be very different without her when our family is together in the days to come.  Loss is something indescribable.  When a person is a part of your life and all too quickly becomes absent, many hearts ache.  We have all felt some of that pain, but none as much as her hubby, children, and siblings, I'm sure.  She also has a brother named Lloyd (who I wish could have been in this picture)!  Her son and daughter, Tony and Kathy, were dear cousins who I and my brother and sister spent a lot of time with as we were growing up.  I wanted to dedicate a little memory here on her behalf and add a thought or two.

Rosie was a believer in God and knew Jesus as her Savior.  For that reason alone, I know I will see her again one day.  She also ran a race of seeking righteousness.  I am sure she had her weaknesses as we all do, but her goal was to love God, love others and lay hold of the eternal promises she knew our God so abundantly offers!  She will enjoy those for sure!  If you do not have that assurance, please get that settled today.  Life can be very short, but eternity will be forever.  

Make sure you accept Jesus as the Lord of your life.  The Bible says that to not choose Him is to choose death and eternal destruction.  Now, I am not sure what that will look like in reality, but I am positive I don't want to experience it, nor do I want anyone to endure something so unimaginable.  The rewards of seeing those who have passed before you will follow those who embrace the redemptive plan of God through Jesus Christ.  Don't put it off.  Just ask Him to forgive your sins and be Lord of your life today.  He says in Revelation 3:20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."  John 3:16