Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Sprinkles

                The final days leading up to Christmas kept throwing trials in my path.  On Tuesday, I twisted my ankle falling on my left side onto the sidewalk.  With scrapes, bruises, and soreness, I continued with my preparations for the holiday.  Wednesday night, I caught the stomach flu my husband had the week prior.  Preparations came to a screeching halt.  Thursday I received the text I had been dreading for weeks.  My dear friend lost her battle of nine years to cancer.  Friday, Christmas Eve arrived.  I still didn’t feel great, my knee still hurt, and my friend was still making her journey to heaven.  Christmas, a friend said she hoped things started getting better.  I puzzled over that statement.  How can life get better?  Life is wonderful and beautiful filled with a rainbow of sprinkles.
                A couple of years ago, a group of women celebrated life by taking a trip to Hawaii.  I was blessed to tag along with them.  Billie had been battling cancer going into chemotherapy every year.  She always wanted to see Hawaii, so we went.  Now, Billie is an amazing lady.  She didn’t just fight the cancer.  She continued to live.  She continued to have faith.  I was amazed by her happiness even when I could tell her energy level was crashing.  She never complained and she always had a smile on her face.  I complained when I got a blister!
                We did a lot of amazing activities on our trip.  With each activity, Billie would talk about the color of sprinkles to represent the fun we were having.  I only remember one of the colors, green.  We snorkeled at Hanauma Bay.  I wanted so badly to swim with a sea turtle.  She called us over and there was the turtle.  He was gorgeous.  With this activity, green sprinkles were added to our imaginary cake.  We had sprinkles for the pineapple plantation, the tubing adventure, the hike to a waterfall, and the list goes on and on.  Billie, even when faced with a life threatening illness, faced life by adding sprinkles.  How can I not follow suit?
                This Christmas season green and red sprinkles fill my kitchen, dining room, and art room with all the decorations.  I have all the blue and white sprinkles of my snowmen collection in the living room.  At church, gold sprinkles adorned the Christmas tree which spread to the greetings of “Merry Christmas” and “Peace be with you.”  Again, even with aches, bruises and other trills in my life, how can life get any better?
                For the ten years I knew Billie, nine of those years she fought for life.  We went dog sledding, to the theater numerous times, and to many dinners.  She always displayed her holiness with a positive attitude and a smile on her face.  I learned much from my friend.  I pray I emulate all that she taught me.  Yesterday the church overflowed with people celebrating her life.  The minister and two friends talked about the love she spread.  She never judged others.  I always felt happy and safe in her presence.  I knew she always loved me for who I am not who she wanted me to be to make her happy.  It is a rare gift to have a friend like this.  Yesterday was a day of silver sprinkles for the tears we shed in mourning her loss and for the tears of our happy memories.  We love you dear friend.
                Now, what are the sprinkles in your day?  I will have black and white sprinkles because I have piano lessons today.  Blessings to you all.

3 comments:

  1. Lisa, I loved your analogy of Sprinkles. Godspeed to your friend and blessings to you. Thank you for sharing your journey...we are all on the journey to holiness. Reminds me of the song, "We are a pilgrim people...we are the church of God...a family of believers...disciples of the Lord!"

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  2. Oh, I can't take credit for the sprinkles analogy. That was all Billie! I will try to keep it in my life though because I love it so very much. I have always liked that song. Thank you for the kind words.

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  3. You guys bring multi colored sprinkles to my life....love ya.

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