Barb




		---------------------------------------------------- WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 The Heart" May 30, 2001 Volume 1, Issue 20 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com -------------------------------------------------------- By subscription only! Welcome to your next issue of "WRITE 2 THE HEART" You are receiving this FREE newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded it to you. Unsubscribe instructions appear at the end of this newsletter. ----------------------------------------------------- This ezine may be freely forwarded to as many people as you wish, please remember to send the whole issue. ************************************** You will notice that the address for the author of today's story has a space before and after the @ symbol, please remove them to write to her. Some people are concerned about computer viruses, I am concerned about the address harvesting programs that unscrupulous spammers use to send their junk email, especially the porn. I will be considering implementing some form of protection for future use on all email address' published in Write 2 The Heart. ************************************** Do you have a story you would like to share with our readers? We are currently looking for new writers. To submit, send your story as an email to: moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------- Eloise shares a bitter-sweet moment that she experienced recently. While there is joy in their going, there is sorrow in their parting ------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------- Barb's Celebration Service By: Eloise Gulick -------------------------------------------------------- Believing that "Everything happens at the time God chooses" Ecclesiastes 3:1 This is a tribute to my long time friend, Barb Bigham. I recently attended her Celebration of New Life Service. It was the most powerful hope giving service I have ever attended. The church was filled with probably 200 persons consisting of family members, extended family, friends, and past co-workers On the cover page of her bulletin was a picture of a Bird of Paradise, her favorite flower. We sang her favorite hymns, shared her favorite scriptures and many shared their memories of her. This I will share about her. She worked as an x-ray technician at a local hospital from 1966 to 1999. She was loved, and showered Jesus' love back by word and deed to all those she had everyday contact with. These are the thoughts her brother-in-law shared with us. As a daughter: Barb was a great daughter. She loved her mom. She called her mom, who is 88-soon to be 89 years old, 3 times a day and asked her how she was doing. She did this even during her last weakest days. As an aunt, sister and friend: Barb had no children of her own but was one of those "others" that should be celebrated on Mother's Day. She loved her sisters, nephews and friends. She was an avid golfer, loved motorcycles, cars, her dogs, and was especially fond of children. Because she was an avid golfer, there was a small gospel tract included with the bulletin that had a picture of a Golf Tee. Printed on the cover was "May I Ask You A Question?" and inside, it then went on to say, "The Bad News is...” but "The Good News Is.." - that of knowing the plan of salvation which was discussed during the service. Pete, our pastor, read a letter that was written by Tim, her nephew, married with family, who lives in Florida, about all the many things that Aunt Barb had meant to him and his family. It was definitely a celebration service with a capital C. All in all not too many sad tears were shed, only tears of joy. Our church has a new Power Point big presentation screen and projector. Prior to and during the service Barb's picture and favorite scriptures were visible. Our pastor used this type of presentation as the service progressed. Continuing on, this is what Barb would have said to us: 1. Thank you (for being here/there when help was/is needed.) 2. It's all true (what they say about heaven.) 3 We're all here (all believing relatives and friends.) 4. Make sure you're coming too! Printed on the first page inside the bulletin was what Barb would have said to her family: "If you could see me now, I'm walking streets of gold. If you could see me now, I'm standing tall and whole. If you could see me now, You'd know I've seen His face. If you could see me now, You'd know the pain is erased. You wouldn't want me to ever leave this perfect place If you could see me now." This is taken from the book by Barbara Johnson, "He's Gonna Toot and I'm Gonna Scoot" page 31. As the service ended in prayer, our pastor asked those that expected to see Barb again to raise our hands, and a sort of "altar call", for want of better words was offered. He then asked those who wished to receive Him to raise their hands. Our Celebration Dinner was held in the Fellowship Hall, after the service. The First Baptist Church ladies prepared scalloped potatoes, with turkey ham, corn, sweet pickles, cabbage salad, and rolls. There was cake, Jell-O and beverages of your choice. Cold cuts and cheeses were furnished by our local Funeral Home director, who is also a believer. All of this wonderful food was served on lace tablecloths with new glass corning ware flowery place setting dishes. These ladies have prepared many a meal for our church family members over the years and now have it down pat and serve to perfection. On this note, I will say I have been blessed with Barb's friendship and love over the years. She always had a smile and a hug for everyone. I thank God for the privilege of knowing and loving Barb and her family members. She has been through so much in the past few years with pain and suffering from all the treatments that she went through to battle cancer. No more suffering, no more pain for her, praise the Lord! She will definitely be missed by family and friends, but our memories will outweigh all else. To God Be The Glory. © Eloise Gulick, 60 mi S of Buffalo, Franklinville NYS egulick @ ischuavalley.net --------------------------------------------------------- This is Eloise's first submission to Write 2 The Heart. I always tease Eloise that she lives in a Christmas card setting. She often writes that she watches deer grazing in snow from her window. Lately she reports there are raccoons visiting on her porch. --------------------------------------------------------- FROM OUR READERS --------------------------------------------------------- MRS.CHERYL, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR GRANDBABY'S SECOND BIRTHDAY!!! AND ABOUT HOW SMART, BEAUTIFUL,AND SPECIAL HE IS!!!! HE IS NOT YOUR NORMAL BABY!! J.S. (He is all those things, I thought I would show my prejudice to say all that, glad you did it for me! Happy Birthday sweet Drew! Nanny Cheryl) Great Story - Good Work. God Bless All Pat Hey Cheryl, I just got around to reading my story for the week and I just have to make a comment about your "Cheryl's Corner." When Steve and I first moved into our little old house here in Hattiesburg, the first thing we did was gut and remodel the kitchen. While Steve was building the pantry, we took a large permanent marker and drew a handprint outline on the bare wall with each of our hands and put our names underneath each one. Then Steve covered them up with sheetrock. If anyone ever rips out our pantry, I would love to see the smiles on their faces when they discover our handprints. :-) Tammy ---------------------------------------------------------- Privacy Notice: Write 2 The Heart will not distribute our subscribers email address' to anyone. ---------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner When we first moved into David's parents house, David built a fountain for me using an old bathtub. It recirculates water at the "faucet". I love this fountain, and turned it into a water garden. Behind it, I planted canna lilies, and airplane plants were planted around it by his sister. It is so peaceful to sit beside it and listen to the water splash. It lacked one thing, so I went to the bait shop and bought gold fish to place in it. I am currently training them to come when I tap on the side of the tub. David says I am the only person he knows that uses a bait shop as a pet shop. God Bless Cheryl --------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2001 Write 2 The Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual authors or copyright owners. ------------------------------------------------------------ All subscriptions sent to your email free of charge.