"There is Sunshine in my soul today"

Ever since November began, my emotions have been extremely close to the surface and often overflowing, knowing that this day was coming soon. Today is my sister, Ginger's, birthday; she would be turning 31 years old today. It's still hard for me believe that I can't call her today to wish her a Happy Birthday. It all makes me miss her so much more than I already do. I also can't help but think of Jason and the kids more today; I wish I could just make it all better for them somehow, but I can't... and actually, I know that there is a reason for all of this heartache... it's all for a greater purpose. I have had that comforting reassurance numerous times since she passed away.

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Today I am celebrating her beautiful life. I am so grateful she was born... and is forever one of my sisters! What a precious gift. The joy she has brought to my life (and soooo many others) far outweighs the sorrow that her death has brought. Once again I'm so happy to have the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to know this is only a temporary separation.

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I was looking at her blog a few days ago and I came across this post. I loved it, even though it once again made me cry. It is so applicable to the situation now. Ginger posted this in January right after our Grammie passed away. Everything in blue is what Ginger said...

There is Sunshine in my soul today
That was the opening hymn at Grammie's funeral service today. It was the perfect choice for the occasion. This is going to sound really strange, but her's was the best funeral I've ever been to. I really enjoyed it. Did I cry? Of course, but mostly I found myself smiling as I listened to the speakers share their thoughts and memories of Grammie. She was truly an amazing woman as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
I will miss her but I know I'll be with her again.

My little family

My BIG family!

How awesome is this picture of the 13 of us?? I love that we were all able to be together.

See what you did Grammie? You raised your only daughter right.

I seriously have the best family.

Love it. Her testimony and love shine through. Yes, I cry (and last night I really cried), but we know that this life on earth is only a speck on the eternal scale... and then we'll all be together again... forever!! I will cherish those words from Ginger forever.

One more cute little post. Ginger had (and I'm sure still has) such a great sense of humor. I love this next funny post she did; I can totally hear her telling it; it brightens my day.

Cheese Anyone?
Brady wanted cheese. He was digging through the fridge and reaching for my bag of grated cheese which I didn't want him to have because I really don't like cleaning up little shreds of cheese from the table, the floor, and the bottoms of my socks. I handed him the 2"x 2" remnant of the block of cheddar cheese that was wrapped in plastic wrap. He took it to the table. I heard him chuckle. "Somebody colored on my cheese Mommy." Colored on your cheese? Oh dear. That can't be good. I hurried to the table. Yep, it was nice & green with mold. There was a neat semi-circle missing where Brady's little teeth had already taken a bite. Are you gagging? I was.

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So funny. :)

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Miss you, Ginge. Love you, too! Happy Birthday!!