It's been one year since our dear Nattie entered Heaven and I still miss her.  I wouldn't wish her back but hearts are aching today at our loss.  Even though I didn't know her well I feel a connection - we both love books, love daisies, love the color purple, and love our kids.  I don't share her love for Diet Coke though! 

I leave you with a song that's meant a lot to me the last few weeks.  As I grieved at the death of Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter a couple weeks ago I was reminded of all the losses I've experienced.  I can grieve with hope, knowing I'll see my friends and family again someday.

With Hope - Steven Curtis Chapman

This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams
And now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but ...

We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again

And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father's smile and say well done
And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now you're home
And now you're free, and ...

We have this hope as an anchor
'Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true, so ...

We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope