Ash Wednesday...

I admit...I have not always been familiar with Ash Wednesday...and as many of you know...it holds a painful hold in the lives of our family.   You see it was on Ash Wednesday that my son-in-law, Jay Sheridan, was killed.   I still remember walking in Heather's house and wondering why some there had black on their heads...

For those not familiar...I include from Wikepedia...though I know just because it is on the Internet does not make it TRUTH!    A word I have been reminded of quite often as of late...However, I include some information about Ash Wednesday...

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar. Occurring 46 days before Easter, it is a moveable fast that can fall as early as February 4 and as late as March 10.
According to the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke; Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan.^[2][3] Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this 40-day liturgical period of prayer and fasting or abstinence. Of the 46 days until Easter, six are Sundays. As the Christian sabbath, Sundays are not included in the fasting period and are instead "feast" days during Lent ^[4].

A day of fasting...a day of prayer...a day I think of Jay...and pray for comfort and peace for those who love him.

But I am reminded of Joy...of Love...tonight I got to visit with one little Isabel...how she makes me smile and sometimes just laugh right out loud.   I told her to give Grammy a hug for me...to which she replied I'm not going to do that.   She proceeds to tell me that I am at my house how can she give Grammy a hug for me.   She then changes channels as she is looking at a world map I took it on the Ipad...but she is telling her mom it is snowing at Ahma's house...well I hope she is right!   I love that she understands that maps and weather all go together...

While at my house the other day she is grooming her dog Otis.   Not grooming as in one would groom their dog...NO Otis is now a sheep and she is grooming him just like Uncle LaLa did at the Stock Show...it was quite the entertainment...to which I was recording her.   She was focused I thought on my and the dog...even though Oppy had the news on.   She is busy working away and she hears snow on Monday.   She perks up and beings to worry as that's Grammy day and she is worried that her and Grammy will be separated by snow!   She is so funny sometimes.  I love the joy she brings to all of us!

But I think of how she is a reminder to us all that Spring is coming...that Easter will be here...and I have a picture of her and the Valentine's goose...As I do LOVE this little Firecracker!!!  Wearing her Peanut jammies from Grammy...Yes Peanut was what her dad called her...and Grammy found several sizes of these...

 I get a call from Izzy and her mama who got home from going to dinner with Grammy and Grandad after church...and Izzy is excited as she got a Valentine in the mail with a dollar in it...LUCKY DAY she says!   Her mother asks her who got M & M's on the floor that she got along with a puppy and a book from Aunt Aum and Andooo and Grammy and Grandad...without really missing a beat she blames the M & M's on the floor on Otis...poor dog!

I think of my favorite scripture...1 Corinthians 13...I think of Jay...I think of his girls...

And I read...AND NOW THESE THREE REMAIN: FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE...

And this picture makes me smile...as one little Isabel plays with her mama's ear...usually a sign she is ready to go to sleep...but also a sign that says I love you...and yes the greatest of these is love...as we head into this "Season" heading for spring...for Easter...thinking of no greater love than to lay down one's life...Thank you Jay...Thank you Jesus!

Amen

lyaaa