Goodnight, Batman!

 Tears well up in my eyes and roll down my face this morning as these sweet memories fill my Facebook wall, reminding me of the blessing of our last Thanksgiving with Charlie. 

Chris has the family tradition of cooking a salty ham for Thanksgiving. It soaks for days before cooking. Charlie was convinced it was a rock.

After planning the menu, Charlie and I made a last minute “food” run to Wal-Mart for a few more items. As with many “food” trips to Wal-Mart, we couldn’t resist the temptation to stroll through other parts of the store. As we passed by the boys clothes, he saw some Batman pajamas and yelled out, “Batman!” So we moved our cart closer for a better look.

I replied, “Charlie, do you need these?”

He said, “YES!!!! Can I buy dem?”

Of course, they were immediately added to our cart, even though they were a full size too big! He wanted to wear his new Batman pjs as soon as we got home, so he did … for the remainder of the day and then to bed.

Charlie liked to cover his eyes with his blanket to sleep. This night he used his hood. I remember him smiling and giggling as he pulled it down over his precious face.

Oh how I miss this little man and the joy he brought into the room with his sunny disposition! I miss his kisses and his hugs. I miss hearing his sweet voice say, “MiMi, I yike you!” And the way he could use BIG words like “disgusting” appropriately in a sentence, saying, “MiMi, dat pig is disgusting!” while looking at the pig on the menu in Hog N Dog, one of his favorite restaurants in TN.

I’m so very thankful for the memories I have made with him. I’m thankful for the technology that allows me an abundance of pictures and videos that bring him close to my heart and mind.

In these moments I grieve, but not as the world grieves; I am not without hope. Though the season of seperation is painful on this side of Heaven, death has no lasting power over those who belong to God. Jesus has conquered the grave!

“13 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. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe thatGod will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the cloudsto meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)

My heart longs for the day when I will once again be joined together with all of those I love on Heaven’s shores. I hold tightly to that hope and promise, thanking Jesus for making it possible.

Keeping my eyes on Him until that day!