She Knew

Last weekend we spent time with the kids in a big beautiful cabin in Twain Harte. It would have been our granddaughter's 9th birthday and the cabin held us all, on three levels, each room full of noise, ski bibs, goves and jackets, and the kitchen counters overflowing with food and snacks and fruit. I think it dawned on all of us throughout the weekend that this is the kind of family get-together Aiyana loved most, everyone talking at once over the blare of the TV and PJ's guitar music floating in from another room.

The younger ones were busy exploring and sledding and everyone went bowling on Saturday night. A daughter won $600 at the casino and there were tales of adults sledding down the hill and getting stuck at the bottom, and others of the older kids having a world class snowball fight.

From every window there were beautiful trees and a bright moon with stars that seemed close enough to touch. The cabin is being made over and is in the process of change. It struck me that this is the perfect place for a family doing the same thing, gains and losses and the earnest reconciliation that is etched in each of our lives.

We long for Aiyana, the sound of her voice, the touch of her hand, watching her at play. We feel joy that she is with God and He is celebrating her every day right along with us. We put out tea lights on the deck in big letters, bright enough to glow all the way to Heaven: We Love You, Aiyana.

Not a one of us would change a minute with her or the footprints she left on our hearts. And just like this great big house, we will transition from where we are to where we are heading, loving each other just the way Aiyana would have wanted it.