Days Remembered

Last Thursday, the media turned inside out and upside down over it's announcment and coverage of Michael Jackson's death, his life and his global impact of which one would think might stir Al Gore to write another book. I will not jump up on my soapbox about the media here, or any political figures, for that matter. That is not what this is about. Aside from the fleeting thought that I preferred the "Jackson 5 " years to the "Thriller" years, in my little world on Thursday, something of much greater significance had tragically occured.

A wonderful woman named Sandy Steckler, wife, mother of 4 young children, and my friend, died suddenly last Thursday. Without warning. Needless to say, the past week has been very foggy for me, and I find myself having difficulty - for the first time on my blog- finding the words to express what I want to express. Yesterday, I spent time with her family and friends remembering her life and saying goodbye - for now. I am going to miss her very much but so grateful for the time that I had to know her, confide in her, laugh with her and cry with her. Sandy's family is going to have a hard road to travel, and so if the Lord should put them on your mind, would you pray for them?

All of this occured while I was at the shore. On the 19th of June, I packed up my life - well, the important stuff anyway - and my kids, and headed to the beach with the idea that I would not be returning to reality until mid-July. God has had a different plan, but I'm thankful that I got to return today. Being at the beach is my solace, where I find calm in the storms. It is where I ran after 9-11, and after my dad's accident last fall. And it is where I have spent time replaying conversations with Sandy in my mind, and thinking about how I can best honor her and help her children. It is here, at the beach, where I spend time with my Lord and Savior, and allow His peace to wash over me like the waves on the sand.