I wish that I had taken more pictures of loved ones passed, so I could make them into a collage in my mind, as though they were still here. That I took more videos, so I could close my eyes and hear their voices, as though they were still here beside me. Playing their voices like a melody, as the sound of their laughter rang like a symphony. That when they had told me stories of their life, that I would have listened more purposefully. Feeling more connection to them, long after they had gone. What I mostly wish though, is that I had spent more time with them and less on things I should have spent, less time on. Now all that remains is what I do have; until I can see them again, until I can hear them again and feel them again.  Where I will hold them close to me forever. For someday I will and it is in that hope, that I find solace for my longing heart. Though I am sure my friend you can resonate with these sentiments. For my friends that grieve, I pray you replace your grief, with hope. That you hang onto what you do have, replacing what ifs and regrets, with memories of all that remains. For this is a temporary place and through grief we are reminded of forever with our LORD. In that, we know means that this is not goodbye. This is I’ll see you later, until we awake in His glorious Kingdom. For wishes are just hopeful thoughts. Though true hope, is a promise. Though time does not rewind to missed moments, hope allows with the promise of more for eternity. When we think of our loved ones that are no longer with us, may we find through our grief, the true hope that our Savoir has given us. May we all rest easy, waiting for that glorious day!

Erin Fitts-Brower

1 Thessalonians 4:13 NIV

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.