NOEL
Chris Tomlin
NOEL
Chris Tomlin
The sermon Sunday was The Wonder. It really has me thinking.
As Christians we tend to go from the Christmas story right to Easter. The people at the time thought Jesus was going to be their King. They thought he was going to sit on the throne and rule the nations. That was what they thought. They had no thought of the cross. The work that would be done there. We only know because we've been taught that.
One of the things that keeps running through my mind is the song by Mark Lowry.
Mary did you know
The weekend after my sister died and before my surgery, I thought I was going to lose my mind. I really needed to find a moment to calm my thoughts and sooth my heart. I was going to the ocean. I halfheartedly asked Blister if she wanted to go with me. She shocked me to the core when she said she would go with me. I normally go to Ocean Shores. It's close and a nice drive. Blister asked if I had ever been to Long Beach. I had not. They also have a place in the area. So, I said I was game to try somewhere else. Salt/Ocean/Sand, I'm all in.
My cousin asked if I wanted to take their Mustang convertible. Uuuhh YES! They have rules though. If it's above 60 degrees the top has to be down. Only 2 people in the car. The back seat is for a picnic basket and a jacket. Blister and I were game. I picked her up very early in the morning and we were off. We went to the place where their trailer is parked. It's a really nice area. I can see why they like going there. It's about a mile walk to the beach. We went to an old church in Oysterville. Super cool. The church is divided down the middle. We guessed it was a girls/guy thing.
Remember as a kid you wanted braces or a broken bone so you could have a cast? Anyone? No? Just me? I never had braces. I was hurt a few times, gymnastics and sports and things. I never had a cast though, until now. At some point I had broken a bone in my foot. I am sure it hurt, but as a wife and a mom I didn't have time to stop or pay attention. I had a surgery scheduled. Then my sister died. I struggled with postponing it. Since she was cremated and the funeral wasn't in the next few days, I decided to go ahead and have it. There wasn't ever going to be a good time to do it. I had it done. It went well. I have a pin in the toe that had the broken bone and was twisting. It looks rather gnarly on the x-ray. I'm ready for all of it to be over though.
This picture represents what was in 2017. There was already 2 of us missing. In the past 13 months 2 more have died. It just is so surreal. It doesn't feel real. Not even a bad dream you can't wake up, just not real. My heart hurts beyond explanation. It hurts for my mom, my sister's partner. Us siblings. Her children and grandchildren. So many nieces and nephews and countless friends. Somehow, we will figure out how to navigate this all with so much hurt and pain.
Williams, Christyn June
Christyn June Williams was born in Omak, WA. January 17, 1972. She died unexpectedly on October 3, 2022 at her home in Des Moines, WA. Chrissy graduated from Rogers High School. She was also a member of the Colville Confederated Tribe of Indians.
Chrissy is proceeded in death by her Daddy, Robert Williams, sister Coreen Williams and brother Scott Williams. She is survived by her loving partner of 20 years, Wendy Dodge, her daughters Nicolette Draine of Spokane WA, Jadeyn Draine of Spokane Valley WA, and son Skyelor Draine of Des Moines WA. Her Mother Lea Williams of Medical Lake WA, brothers Steve ( Debbie) Williams of Spokane Valley WA, and Tom Williams of Medical Lake WA, sister Nicolette (Carmen) Edgerton of Everett WA. 4 precious granddaughters Aubrey, Kenya, Karlita and Charlotte. Many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Those grand girls were the joy and love of her life.
A memorial service for Chrissy will be November 5, 2022 beginning at 1:00pm at Turning Point Church 11911 N Division St. Spokane WA 99218 in the Gathering Place. Drinks and cookies to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chrissy's name to the Seattle Children's Hospital at www.seattlechildrens.org
FOREVER MISSED, NEVER FORGOTTEN
When I was a little girl, I remember wanting to be a big sister so badly! If I had a baby sister, it would be even better! When I was 6, I finally got my dream. However, that little sister didn’t get to stay. We as a family were heartbroken as you can imagine but my dream didn’t change. I WANTED a sister and to BE a big sister. In 1972 my biggest dream and prayer came true. I got to be a big sister to a sister AND she got to stay! She was amazing! I had my own living doll to play with! To play dress up with, change her clothes and drag her around with me. We even tried to share a room at one point, that was a big NO. That adventure didn’t last long.
Chrissy loved unabashedly and with every fiber of her being. There was no guess work with how she was feeling. She wore her emotions on her sleeve, all of them, anger, tears and laughter. Oh, and she did have an amazing laugh. She was fearless as a teenager. Chrissy had a lovely voice, one time she sang the National Anthem to start a horse show. As she got older, she loved Karaoke. She even got me to try it. She had such an amazing sense of style. She would put things together that you would go hmmmm while looking at the pile of eclectic stuff. When she had put her vision together, it was amazing. One time Chrissy did my make-up and eyelashes for a performance I was in. That didn't last long either. She was such a girly girl.
Chrissy and I shared a love of movies. For her they had to have happy endings. I'm not sure she ever forgave me Green Card, or ever got over it. It still makes me laugh.
When I started having children, she began watching her nephews. She was an AMAZING Auntie and I trusted my boys with her. Then I got to watch Chrissy became a mom and her children were the light of her life. She was so very proud of them. As the years went by, I also got to watch her become a grandmother. THOSE girls were everything to her. She enjoyed EVERY moment of being a grandma.
I have 50 years of memories that I will cherish ever day! Chrissy will be missed so very much by so very many. I love you Sister and I love being your sister.
Your Big Sister,
Nikki
I know I'm not easy to buy gifts for. I have very eclectic tastes. I really do like many different things. However, I need nothing and have room for nothing. Sooo, my favorite DIL came up with an idea for Christmas last year. Somehow, she got the boys to agree with her. I was so excited AND nervous but really wanted to do it. I got a gift certificate for a balloon ride! DH didn't get one, just me. A sunset flight. Oh, I couldn't wait. It's a seasonal thing so I did have to wait but I didn't want to. We had to cancel several times due to weather. I know people get frustrated with things like that. I was disappointed but not frustrated. Trust me I want to land nicely more than anyone else. Take all the time you need to get it right. I'll wait until it's a good day. No wind no rain, just beautiful sunset please. So, then this happened!
I think most people think it's similar to the scene from Wizard of Oz. That isn't the case at all. You only really know you are moving if you look down. It's so very smooth. They send out a weather balloon before you take off. They have cancelled even after you've shown up if the weather turns. They give you a good little lesson before you take off. You do have to climb into the basket, but they can open a door. But you do stand the whole time. They do ask how much you weigh when you make the reservation. They need to know the load and how many people can go in this basket. Mine held 10. There was nine of us. I stood right beside the gas blowing the heat up. That is the only thing they can control. When and how high. There is no right or left. It's just up or down. All at the mercy of the wind. It is so calm up there. And quiet. We could hear a dog barking WAY down. The only real noise was the fire/gas heating up the air, to climb. I was standing under it and as it chilled down it felt good. Bob was our pilot and was so kind to answer all the questions and query. Yes, A LOT from me. I want to know all the things. Hopefully I didn't bother Bob a whole lot. I'm sure I'm not his only chattey Cathy. It is such a wonderful memory. I need nothing! I have room for nothing! It was such a wonderful experience. I will take that any day of the year. It was wonderful! DIL did good! Thank you to my guys for agreeing to the plan. I will cherish that day for the rest of my life. If you ever get a chance, Do it!
Peace
In June a day I never thought would happen DID! 19 years ago, we got surprised with an amazing gift! To say we were shocked is a mild understatement. At 40 I found out I was pregnant. It had been 6 years since Bugs was born. We were excited. But again, we were starting over. there is an 8 year and then a 6-year gap between our younger guys. So here we were again. As time went on, we did get so very excited. On July 1, 2004, Monkey made his appearance in our bedroom in our home. It was an amazing experience. 21 years younger than his biggest brother.
Monkey is a really funny kid. We have wonderful memories of the things he has said. He makes us laugh ALL the time. When he started school, he went one day and said he got it, and he didn't want to go back. Weeellll baby boy that's not how things work. So, he had to go back. and he did really well. He's an avid reader. Read well above grade level. Gets math, REALLY gets it and likes it. He must have gotten that from his dad. He has done advanced math most of his schooling. He was involved with choir all through high school. He has a lovely voice. He did a lot of acapella with the jazz ensemble. He persevered all through covid and school. Chemistry online? Choir, online? What a nightmare.
At last, this little caboose of ours graduated from High school. We are so very proud of him. He did it in a really rough time. And he did it well. My husband's 1st son surprised us all when he came for his graduation party. It meant so much to all of us. My mom came. We had a lovely party at my cousin's house. The weather was perfect! Friends and family came to congratulate our boy.
We got them through school! Woooowhoooo! This Fall he started at the local community college. He will graduate with his AA and several important certifications. He has plans and he's going places. He is writing his own story. So proud of him.
Peace
On March 17th my favorite Aunt, my travel buddy my friend passed away. I could write albums of the things we did and laughed at. She took me to places I didn't know I wanted to go to. We had so much fun.
When my Uncle passed away in 2012 my Auntie kind of gave up. She didn't really want to be here without him. They apparently had a plan and didn't keep it. She seemed to rally and found reason's to stay and things to be happy about. We went on our cruise to Alaska and had an amazing time. She and I talked (on messenger) almost every day. I taunted her with hummingbird pictures and she did the same for me with cardinals and blue birds. She had an amazing yard and the best view out her office window. We had shows we watched together, she was hours ahead, so she had to keep quiet until it was over here. Amazing Race and Big Brother.
My Aunt wasn't healthy. She hadn't been for a long time. However, she had a day care in her home for years. She just lived her life and dealt the best she could. When the Doctor said she had to go on oxygen she just didn't care anymore. She just kind of gave up. I went for a visit one more time. We went on what I was sure of was our last trip. We went to Helen Kellers home. It really was so interesting. I love history like that. She was an amazing woman. She changed the world for so many. When it came time for me to come home I knew it would be last time I saw her alive. It was.
My heart is so broken. Losing my Aunt so soon after my dad is just devastating. Not that anytime would have been easier. It just feels like a huge whammy! My family is everything to me. When you lose someone that you care so deeply about it just leaves such a huge hole in your heart.
I miss my dad's jokes, he and I talked often. He would call me giggling before he even got the dad punny out. He had the corniest jokes. He loved me (well all of us but this is my story) with all of his being. My aunt and I loved each other. She was a confidant like I hope everyone has. She loved me and I loved her. I miss them both every day. I still have my dad's number in my phone. I can't delete it yet. I think of things I want to say and want to call him. I see a hummingbird and want to send a picture to my aunt to taunt her. We have them all year, Tennessee doesn't.
Please cherish your loved ones. I understand everyone isn't as close to your family as I am. Still hold those you do love so very close. Tell them you love them. Show them you love them. Sometimes you don't get a second chance.
Rest easy Auntie. Pain free and with the love of your life. Together again and forever.
Peace