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In Honor of Lynda Dec 27, 1957 - Nov 7, 2007

There once was a family filled with dreams. The American Dream to be percise. They were High School Sweethearts, married, joined the Navy and began their family. True to their generation they began their family on their honeymoon. For ME this was the greatest blessing in my life; the honeymoon baby is my Beloved.

Al and Charlotte seem so happy. Happiness without Jesus doesn't have staying power. Now I do not know if post partum depression, being far from your family in another country as a Navy wife, or a chemical imbalance kicked in , but something did and dreams began to be nightmares. My Sister -in -Law although born in the States followed 13 months after Mike doubling the struggles Charlotte was having. That time period prescribes valium and nothing more. This will not remain "Happily Ever After" but Al tried harder than any man I know.

He brought His Family to Paradise (literally) started a business , raced cars, took his family camping and taught them all to water ski on their boat even bought Lynda a pony. Happiness just alluded them.

(Mike , Lynda and now Sheri in front of their home in Paradise.)

Marriages and Families fragment, and so do people. Growing up for these kids was never easy and their struggles were many. They have continued all their lives struggling.

(Lynda and her "Happy" Birthday)

My Sister-in-law followed in my Mother-n-law's foot steps.Depression, and other problems appear early with Lynda.  Her life starts out very hard from the beginning. At fifteen she finds herself pregnant with Twins. This is the same year I marry her 16 year old brother. (Can you say Dysfunctional with a capital D) I was talking with my father-in-law tonight and he was saying he doesn't remember are wedding. Is it any wonder?

After the Twins are born she marries Johnny and like her mom's life, the addition of children escalate her emotional troubles. Her grandparents rescue her often as they did her mom, but that marriage becomes toxic as well. But before it does, they move away and give Jesus a try. This is where I find hope. We were in Italy at the time, but I do recall her telling me she was a Christian. This would be the same time period I became a Christian.

(Jenny , Brandi, and Christy)

Her three children would live with family members, be in foster care and the twins would spiral as well. Their younger sister would thrive, marry the right guy and fall in love with Jesus having a family of her own.

Lynda would marry again , divorce again a couple more times, which is another "without Jesus" generational dysfunction. Lynda would distance herself from everyone but her mom and sister Sheri throughout her life time. At times she pushed them away as well. But she was loved and prayed for by all. She just couldn't see it and when she did, she sabotaged it.

She went in for Back Surgery Wednesday which went well in the operating room. When the Nurses came in to stand her up for the first time a clot must have dislodged and gone straight to her heart valve because there was no reviving her. It was sudden and it was shocking to the family. Everyone is still sorting through their emotions.

Lynda always wanted to be an angel in the sense that she would swoop into any crisis with real desire to help. She helped victims of both Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Katrina. So we were not surprised that she would donate her body. What did surprise us was when the hospital called Mike's mom to tell her it was complete and that they would be helping 75 people with her donations. Her heart intentions were so good, her mind was just confused.

And that is why this is my show and tell today as heartbreaking as it is. I want you to know who you are praying for as we sort through our grief.

Al, her dad has struggled with their relationship all her life so he is struggling with her death.

Charlotte, is in the shock/denial moving toward the heartache stage and needs much prayer.

My Beloved is doing what he has done since he was six and holding everyone together, smoothing rough emotions and being in the middle between his mom and dad.

Mike's sister Sheri. She is raging, blaming everyone, accusing everyone and completely wounded of heart. Everyone is held at a distance and not allowed in to comfort her. She (and her husband who is holding her together ) need much prayer

(sister Sheri)

The Twins, are no longer the twins. Just after Thanksgiving last year Jenny passed away, so Chrsity is dealing with the loss of her twin and now her mom as well.

Brandi, being the daughter in a healthy marriage and a loving relationship with Jesus, she is the one that will have to go and deal with her mom's belongings. This will be so very painful.

As you are praying it is important to also note that Brandi's and Christy's Dad has cancer and will probably not make it through the Holidays.

Thank you for praying for my family as Stitch says " Our Family is broken, but it is still good."

If you want to be a part of show and Tell with Canadagirl you can go here and participate with us.