So Sorry for Your Loss

I haven't had much time to craft this week but I did sit down first thing today to create a sympathy card for the family of a truly wonderful woman who lost her battle with cancer last week.  This family has been the foundation of our church for so long.  They are very quiet people and I don't think any of us realized just how active they were until we were reminiscing about Ellen this week and each of us had different stories about our connection to the family.

Sadly, it's been almost five years since they lost their eldest son.  He was a Marine who was killed when a Marine helicopter and a Coast Guard plane collided near Camp Pendleton.   They would be the family to whom people say "God doesn't give you more than you can handle", but I have to say that I so disagree with that saying.  I feel like it requires the person to be stronger than they might otherwise be feeling...that they would feel they had to live up to God's trust in them.  But we are all human and life can be too much for us. Of course, God is always there to give love, support, strength and the promise of our future life in Him, but He certainly does not promise that life is easy or even happy.  

I hope today's service will let the family know how much we loved Ellen and love each of them.  If you have followed my blog for long, you know that my long-time church has been rocked in the past few years with two very difficult situations which cut the membership almost in half.  But today's service will overflow with people wanting to show love and support including so many members who left in pain and anger, and former staff who just could not live in the situation anymore.  Also coming back is the pastor who was in the middle of the storm (since we don't yet have a full-time pastor).  I know today is about Ellen and her family, but I also feel like it's going to be a time to let go and forgive...to remember Ellen in her humble service to the church and realize what truly is important and that is our life in Him.

I struggled with a card.  I hate that when it's really important, I struggle the hardest. I did use a light gray cardstock (it's not just a gray picture).  I was thinking of a misty day, a few enamel "tears" and the one bright leaf.

• Stamps: Hero Arts Remember clear set
• Paper: Stampin' Up Old Olive and watercolor paper, Papertrey Ink Soft Stone, Smokey Shadow
• Ink: Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow, Tim Holtz Distress Inks in Shabby Shutters, Wild Honey and Spiced Marmalade
• Accessories: Lil' Inkers Stitched Rectangles, Papertrey Ink Phrase Play #7 die (just the leaf from the center), MME Lost & Found Record It Antique Enamel Dots, Hemptique 10-lb natural twine