Last night my husband & I were putting final touches on our new fireplace wall mantle- although there's was a bit of trim paint to go~ it was time to hang the picture that would be the center focus on our new "mantle wall"... Just as I handed my husband the picture I said, "Isn't it yours mother's birthday today?"
You see the timing of this happening is very significant to this story... Years ago when my husband & I were married~ His mother wanted to paint us a wedding gift~ She asked what the painting should be? We decided that she should paint a picture of what she believed "heaven" would look like... So now it's finally hung in a "forever" area that looks over all the family treasures she once knew and those she never had time to meet.
You see she passed several years after painting this picture~ At that time she had only meet our oldest child Tami. Our hearts ache that she didn't meet our sons, their wife's, & our grandgirlies~ she would have loved each of them so warmly~ But perhaps she already does know them~ After all the picture is her vision of heaven~ & I know that's exactly where she is~ Perhaps she's one of the birds flying over the water, or perhaps one of the night stars above. So she really is still here today, at times I can still feel her loving warmth.
Happy birthday Carol~ you are missed dearly...
Today my mother-in-law would have been 80 years old~
She passed away at the young age of 52. 
A picture of a Christmas ornament my mother in-law had
made displayed next to one her great granddaughter made last year....
8 comments:
what a beautiful painting. and a beautiful story to go with it. i love the two ornaments side by side :)
I love the story too, and the generational ornaments are so perfect together! How very sad that your MIL passed away so young. She is definitely with you in spirit...I feel that way about my MIL too.
Hugs!
OH~~~ Carrie I love this painting. I remember from when you posted it for Spiritual Sunday about a year ago. I think that it looks beautiful and it looks perfect above the fireplace. How special that it was your mother in laws birthday as well.Your mantel is so pretty. I love the extra part with the wood design in the middle. I love those special touches. Did you or your husband think of that :)
Hugs,
Ginger
That is such a cool story and a wonderful holiday memory!
Such a beautiful story!!
I love that you have something wonderful, like that painting, to remember her by. A special gift for sure and a great place to hang the painting!
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
What a wonderful story. It is sad that she didn't get to meet the entire family that you turned out to be but her version of heaven looks like a peaceful place to be.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Here's to giving thanks for special friends and family all year long.
The picture is perfect in its "forever place". I remember you posting it on Spritual Sundays as well.
I truly believe that your dear mother-in-law knows each of your children and holds them deep in her heart.
God bless.
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