The Gift of You - Dedicated to my Auntie Barb

My Auntie Barb - One of God's Most Precious Gifts in My Life

When I was little, we use to sing together the words of a song that went like this:

"I see the moon, the moon sees me, the moon sees the one that I want to see.  God bless the moon, God bless me, God bless the one that I want to see.  I sometimes think, that God up above created you for me to love.  He picked you out of all the rest because he knew I'd love you the best.  If you get to Heaven and I'm not there, just write my name on the golden stair.  Write it so all the angels can see that I love you and you love me."

What a precious gift you are.  Throughout your life you have reached out to children through your career, socially - with such grace and love and with a natural quality to make each child that has come into your life feel individually special.  God gave you a natural quality of drawing children to you.  A gentleness, a way of understanding, a way of identifying with them.  Meeting them where they have been at - no matter what their life experience had been.  You were chosen to be one of God's "Pied Pipers." So many of us have been individually touched by the Gift of You.

You are one of the most unselfish giving people I know.  Life has often not been kind to you - yet still your gentleness prevails.  What a firecracker you are.  We never know what is going to come out of your mouth next and yet you look so surprised at people's reactions to your raw honesty and definite opinions.  Yet this is all just a part of The Gift of You.

Your life has always written beautiful pages upon mine, even as an adult. You make such a difference in the lives of those who know you.  Your compassion, your wit, your gentleness, your kindness, your openness, your laughter - to know you is to love you and we do.  These are all interwoven qualities that make the specialness of you. 

God knew what he was doing when he wove you together.  He knew that the world needed someone who would make such a difference in others lives.  Lovingly and thoughtfully he weaved you together - like fine silk, like precious gold, fully knowing that you with such grace and humility would touch the lives of children who would then grow into adults and pass on the things that you had taught them to another generation.  Thus making The Gift of You one that will continue on from generation to generation - the gift that keeps on giving. That, my precious Auntie Barb is The Gift of You.

You've never been overly sentimental, always waving off people's thankful reaction to all you do. You've never expected much back - you give without any expectations of receiving.

But it's time you do.  It's time you receive the fruit of your life.  It's time you see how much God continues to use you in the lives of so many.  It's time you see how much you matter.  You always have mattered, it is just that because you have always been a giver you've not had much of a chance to concentrate on receiving.  Your concern has always been more about other people - than for yourself.  Now is the time for you to know, you have not been forsaken.  You have not been forgotten.

Allow yourself to bask in the love of those around you.  Let that be your happy place.  Look upon the faces of all those who come and visit you and share stories of The Gift of You. Look at all the people you continue to touch.  They come in all ages. Over there are the regal "Red Hatters" who more than likely have partook in your wry sense of humor.  I can only imagine the the things you women have sat and laughed and joked about together.  Over there - is the boy who has adopted you as his grandmother - look at how fine he is growing up?  Some of that confidence he has instilled within him has are seeds that have sprouted up from his moments with you.  Over there?  Your older sister.  You are so close in age, does anyone know you better?  Sisterhood and the experiences you've shared - secrets, experiences and history between two women who only have to look at each other to understand.  Over there - is your younger sister. The two of you live so far a part - but always stay so closely in touch. Sisters and best friends, your relationship is entwined, no matter where life has taken you both - you've only been a phone call away - making the miles disappear.  Over there - is your baby brother, although full grown, you've always felt protective of him and although you both have exasperated each other at times, I have heard you speak of him with such concern, love, pride and affection (as well as sisterly tolerance and patience).  Close to your side is the woman who has become a non-blood sister to you.  A better friend one could not ask for.  You have had each others backs for many years - kindred spirits - what many of us would do to have a friend like that.  And lastly, the son who stole your heart. The child you always wanted but was unable to have.  The journey you two have had together has been full of hills and valleys - but look at him now... A father, patient, caring and a son, who loves his mother beyond reason.  These are ALL the results of the Gift of You.  So you see?  We do reap what we sow.  It is your turn to reap a tremendous amount of love.  Let that be your Happy place. Allow all of us to support you, love you, care for you and give back to you.  Receiving is not a sign of weakness - it is a sign of love.