I Remember…The Legacy of Maria

Had I been blogging one year ago, this would have been my post:

I remember having breakfast with my family, ALL of MY family (even my Granny made the long journey to NC) at my brother’s home in Shallotte, together in North Carolina for the first time in maybe six years. My heart skipped a beat, maybe several beats, tears came to my eyes, when I heard the tragic news…surely there was some mistake. This close-knit family was preparing for graduation ceremonies and engagement announcements but it was true. Steven Curtis Chapman’s young daughter was killed in a tragic accident the night before. At that moment, I didn’t know which one but I couldn’t imagine the Chapman family without their three adorable petite little adopted daughters.

Being only a fan, even though for many years, I was astonished at the grief I felt for this family. Maybe my grief was compounded because my family was together. I remember when Kevin and Donna first moved to North Carolina, we promised ourselves frequent visits. But with work, school, church, sickness, and a 9 to 12 hr drive, it seemed really hard to get together often. So to be sitting around the table, just talking, laughing, enjoying each other...especially with the antics of my three precious nephews, I could hardly bear to imagine what life would be like, what the future could be like….

So we played croquet and basketball till we were exhausted, blew bubbles until there was no more bubble solution in town, shopped till we dropped, roasting marshmallows late at night, watching movies, skateboarding..making as many memorable moments as humanly possible, capturing every one of them to savor later, taking pictures galore (but, of course!). Yet Saturday morning came too soon…and this time it was a physical ache to say goodbye. We had our “God bless us until we are together again” toast with cream soda and binding together as a family in prayer. With tearful hugs and sniffling boys who just couldn’t understand why we couldn’t stay together "forever", I never wanted so much to leave Kentucky behind for just one more day, one more hour, a few more moments.

I have followed the Chapman family’s journey through their grief with my own tears and prayers on their behalf. I have the utmost admiration for this family – what a testimony. Their faith has remained true and they have not been silent through the struggles but continue to minister to others with their story and their lives, with the insight they have gathered, living the truth out loud of Jesus Christ and his work in each of their lives. Through Maria’s story and their continued journey, hearts have been touched, lives changed...mine is only one. What a legacy!

So today, a year later, as I remember Maria, I ask myself “What would my life be like TODAY if I knew TOMORROW? What will my legacy be? What will YOUR legacy be? I encourage you to take a moment and make a memory today, hug a loved one, send a note to a long lost friend, play with a child, right a wrong, listen to the hurting, giggle at absolutely nothing, take a photo of this ordinary day. Your life is precious…leave a legacy in the hearts of those you love.

Until next time..with hope! ~ C ~

P.S. Thanks for hanging in there while I have gotten some posts off my heart and mind -(isn’t that what a blog is for?) But, I promise, fun posts are ahead!