virginia

the call came late last night~

one of my girlfriends from years ago

had lost her daughter  in a car accident saturday night

she was on her way home from the auburn clemson game

they say she died instantly

virginia was only17 years old

ginger

or gengah as her mama would pronounce

and i met at the same church 20something years ago

the very place where i met both dan & gregg

she was a confident strawberry blonde auburn alum

who loved the Lord with all her heart

she inspired me to be a better person

we both fell in love with our fellas and got married around the same time

she moved back to montgomery

i stayed here in atlanta

her baby girl virginia was born only a few months after savannah

for 17 years i have eagerly awaited each christmas card

i've loved watching that beautiful baby girl

grow into one of the most gorgeous young women i've ever seen

virginia.... took your breath away

this morning i drove to alabama

part of me wondered if this was all a mistake

surely this was not reality

as i drove i began to think of my precious friend ginger

how had she found out?

what had the last 48 hours been like for her?

my friend was going to bury her baby girl today....

i couldn't wrap my mind around this

i just couldn't

i walked into the church

which overflowed capacity

i stood in the line to greet "the family"

the line was so long

i knew there wasn't going to be time to see my friend

to let her know i loved her

to let her know i was so so very sorry

i texted my hubby

& told him i was about to break an unwritten funeral rule

i was going to cut in line

yes ma'am

i got out of my place & began walking across the room

as soon as i saw ginger

my heart realized it was true....her baby girl was gone

it was no mistake

she was speaking to some younger girls

she looked up & we made eye contact

she began to cry

i fell apart

period

so much for a support

she mumbled things like i'm so sorry i didn't call personally, i can't believe you drove, can you join us for lunch

i was speechless

i tried to tell her i loved her

virginia had a precious relationship with Jesus

she encouraged her friends

she spent time in the word

she loved others with a christ-like heart

a young woman who lived intentionally

oh how i hope the same may be said of me

on the drive home i spent some time on the phone with one of my best life long friends

jami

jami gave birth to a baby boy named levi the week gregg died

levi was diagnosed with a brain tumor the week i gave birth to caroline

levi was diagnosed on the very hospital ward i had worked for years

my life long dear friend

buried her baby boy only a few years after i buried my husband

ginger, jami & i

we know where they are

& we know we will see them again one day

but for today & for quite some time

my heart hurts for my friend, ginger

In Christ, there are no goodbyes

And in Christ, there is no end

So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have

To see you again