You can tell by the silhouettes of the trees that this is a winter sky.
Nevertheless it expresses a small stirring in me.
Those branches…
without the softening of spring green leaves…
or the fiery display of autumn,
they are bare…exposed.
Left only with their true shape.
And to me they look as if they’re stretching…
reaching…
for something more.
And they are beautiful in the reach.
*****
I can’t move forward right now. Sara, Gitzen Girl, is still reaching for something more.
Still stretching for heaven.
I’m enveloped with her journey, whispering prayers of peace for her and her family.
I can’t adequately describe it but I feel as if I’m in a bubble…
profoundly… painfully, aware of the sacredness of every day.
The sacredness of Sara’s journey to the other side of eternity.
The journey all of us will one day travel.
I am praying you home Sweet Sara and as best I can I’m loving you from here…
*****
If you haven’t read Sara’s blog, Gitzen Girl, I would urge you to spend some time there. The joy in her journey will impact your life…I promise. (And Sara’s BFF Shannon is sharing updates)
Another of Sara’s friends, Jessica has a place to link blog posts about Sara…you may be blessed to read about the impact Sara’s life has on so many …
And would you whisper a prayer for Sara, a prayer for a peace…
*****
Love to you my friends
Robin, I’m thankful that I know of you now – through Sarah. She just keeps on giving. And you have worded it beautifully – I know exactly this feeling, in a bubble, not being able to move, achingly feeling the heartbeat of each day – and tears that won’t stop falling. You have explained far better than I – what this time is like. God bless you Robin – and God bless and keep each and every one of yours.
Craig I’m so happy to meet you and have been encouraged by your tweets about Sara. hugs…
Craig, yesterday was my cry all day everytime I remembered Sara’s strength and beauty, her undaunting choosing of joy…today I am moving in her joy, believing great peace and rest for her; Yesterday, I could not breath for the pain; today I feel Jesus near, very near, and the air is clear and fresh and His loving arms are holding His own. Sara will be in His comfort, joyously…
Deep breaths of crisp fall air for our Sara today. Praying her journey swiftens. Her daddy wants the next dance & she is so ready. Stretch, sweet Sara – you’re nearly Home….
Praying through tears…
Done. For her. For you. For her community of friends. Love and hugs my dear friend.
I have been reading your friend Sara~Gitzen Girl Blog…what a truley amazing friend you have. Heartbreaking by what all she has been through and learned so much about her in the short time that I have read her blog…I too have Spondylosis recently diagnosed. She is a true insperation and I will be praying for her peaceful journey. Hugs to you Robin as you suffer the loss of this dear friend.
Catana…please come back here often I’d love to get to know you, I love that you have been able to discover Sara. Her life seems to change a person 🙂 love to you my new friend…xo
I do read your blog all the time…just don’t comment alot. I love how you decorate…the words & wisdom you share…I am very much an information person and think so much about things with an open mind & heart. I plan on to continue reading all that I have missed on Sara’s Blog….and I see why you loved her so much just wished I would have gotten to know her but by reading her blog I will know her through her words and know just what a special person she is.
The bubble. Exactly. Everything feels suspended. I just can’t quite be all the other places I am usually. It’s hard to explain…this has effected me so much more pronouncedly than I could have ever imagined. Sara’s state has likewise linked me to you all who are somehow in similar states as well.
I tried to tell some friends about what is occurring – this holy ( other) thing…But, it is hard to articulate it. I am trying to find all of God’s blessings in it. And, I believe the greatest of those must be our finding each other.
Kim….suspended. Yes. That’s it. Also you said you just can’t quite be all the other places…that’s how I feel. And in trying to articulate it usually brings tears and my words get mixed up…it’s comforting to know that Sara had a ‘tribe’ and we’re all feeling the same way…I wonder if she realized her impact…her legacy? One thing I know for sure, she’ll know soon…love to you…xo
Sweet friend, I share a bubble next to yours… what beautiful imagery you have left us with. Its my Dad’s birthday today and he would have turned 82. I asked him to watch for our sweet girl… and share a little cake…
“Waiting to exhale.” That is what I find myself doing… staying in the bubble, praying and waiting… love you to the moon…
Vicky…the bubble feels better knowing you’re close by…love you to the moon and back…xo
There is such a simplistic beauty in the bare limb silhouettes, I gaze with wonder at the framework that designates what meaning or use of the tree. The branches are a direct result from the roots, the foundation of the tree. Sarah showed her foundation through every season. I read with awe her choosing and am challenged. My heart joins with the hearts of Sarah’s friends as we pray and wait.
Sigh. Beautiful. Praying for your sweet, sweet, sweet heart.
Just found your page, beautiful:) My daughter passed into the loving arms of Jesus on November 24, 2010. Love how you explain the joy of this beautiful woman and the beginning of her newfound love of life. This is what gives me joy and hope when I think of my beautiful Rachel. Thank you for blessing me this morning!
Colleen…oh my goodness. I’m so deeply sorry about your precious Rachel. I so wish I could reach through the computer and hug you …sigh. Sending you love love love…(I’m going to email you)
i love silhouetted trees stripped of leaves against a pre-dawn or twilight sky almost more than anything else in nature.
i like the imagery you’ve used here, and i like vicky’s description in the comments about “waiting to exhale”. YES. and suspended also describes it. i haven’t tried to articulate this experience with anyone outside my house, and while my guys get it on some level, it’s not their road…
glad to know we’re not alone in this period, or ever. He is here and He is with her and with all of us.
Robin, I came here through Vicky at Westra World and am so glad I did. You describe that bubble feeling perfectly. I feel like I’m waiting to breathe. Her passing seems like a holy and sacred thing and impossible at the same time. Could it be that we really won’t have her anymore? You write so eloquently about it. I wrote of her today, too, but didn’t do her the justice you captured here. Thank you for such a heartfelt piece.
I can’t do anything without thinking of her. Yesterday I spent the day with my daughter and walked around one store and kept thinking about Sara on her journey and praying she was at peace. Her little heart is so big it keeps on going. God is stretching out his arms to embrace her. I know. XO, Pinky
friendship embodied-praying with you
It has been a very long time since I posted but I think just the presence of your words has been more comfort to your dear friend and her family than you could probably ever comprehend… Is it not amazing the blessing that the internet has been to many of us… catching friendships with people of all walks of life that maybe in a physical sense would not have been made possible…
Just think of all the friendships and prayers we could have been missing out on had it not been for the push of a button..
May your spirit remain peaceful at the time of your friends passing and may all the good and crazy moments be at the forefront of your memories when you go to think about her during those paused moments of sadness..
Jeannie…I’m so glad you posted. Thank you. Sending you love and I hope we can talk more…xo
I have learned about Sara just a few days ago thru friends on a support goup page.I also have Ankylosing Spondylitis.Sara’s story made me cry.She is only 2 yrs older then me.The same age as my sister.I have started reading some of her blogs.I wish I have the support she has.I’m married no human children.We have 4 cats and a small dog who thinks he is a cat.For me I went 24 yrs before finding out I have AS.It is a desease that keeps taking.I have always loved reading,now I am unable to pick up a book to read.My consitration is gone.I can be talking with someone then I blank out.I have always loved the poem Footprints.Now it has new meaning.I look back at the footprints and Sara must see this too.There are alot of single set of footprints.JESUS is carrying us thrue these ruff patches and there is Glory at the end.Thruout my life I always new life is short so why waste the time we have.I got married at 17 and we are still together stronger then 19 yrs ago when we married.I left my homestate and friends when I was 18.I mention this because as I grew I had alot of adventures and have seen so many things.In 2009 I had lost my ability to be like everyone else.I now walk with a cane.My DR’s have told me this is so I don’t do more damage.I get tired so easily I sometimes use a wheelchaire.I was feeling low a few weeks ago I lost a friend to cancer she was 33 yrs old and fought for 2 yrs then she became tired and let go.Then I read and learned about Sara.I no longer feel sad for those who have left or are leaving.I am jealus.In my time of sufferings I have never blamed our Father in Heaven but instead I pleaded to go Home.I so want to be going on this journey.I am so tired.I am tired of being in pain,losing a little of me everyday,of putting my needs last,of always wanting to back to sleep.I am just tired.I try to tell those I love how I feel but I get what about me.I can’t handle if you leave.I look into my furry babies eyes and know they think the same thing.I have 5 but only 3 watched me scream in pain.I never thought they would suffer.One of my cats will check and see if I am still breathing,the dog he never leaves my side,and the other cat would not come near me for a yr for fear of hurting me.I never new the impact my pain would have on them.As Sara goes thru her journey I can’t help but wonder about Riley and who will help him to understand she is gone.Thank You Sara for all you shared and in helping those us who will follow how to leave gracefully.My prayers are for those left behind to be able to cope without this beutiful angel.The prayers are for the pain to be gone soon.
Colleen…thank you for sharing your story with me. I am so sorry you are in so much pain but I’m thankful that you have you fur babies. Riley is staying with one of Sara’s closest friends right now…I’m not certain where he’ll end up but I can promise you he’ll be so loved and well cared for. Sara has a hundred friends who would adopt Riley…I look forward to connecting with you more my new friend…xo