Yesterday, my friend and co-worker, Carol, and I went shopping for a basket of goodies for a little boy that just had emergency surgery for a broken arm. Our staff team wanted to cheer him up and give him some fun things to do but enable him to be as still as possible while his arm heals up.

Fond Memories
As we walked through the parking lot of our local Walmart, Carol shared that this particular store always brought back fond memories for her. Early in her single momma days, she received a special gift right here at this very Walmart. It was a day she’ll never forget and one that brought a smile to her face even on this day as we paced to the front door.

“Isn’t that interesting,” I shared, “because this store also has a couple of significant memories for me.”

Fainting
The first wasn’t really all that funny, but looking back…I have to chuckle, because it was so bizarre. My daughter and I were standing in the checkout line, when suddenly a young girl (late teens, early twenties, I would guess) tapped me on the shoulder and asked me to catch her. Before I knew what was happening, the girl started to slither in my arms. She was fainting. Now, this was a first for me, I can honestly say. Catching fainting girls at the Walmart isn’t a typical item on my to-do list, but for whatever reason…today it was on the list. I slithered with her right to the floor and then motioned for my daughter to go to the cashier for help. The next thing we know, we had crackers and Cokes being thrown in our direction, and this young lady was back to herself in no time. But, needless to say, everytime I go into this particular store…I remember my fainting friend.

Fishing
Perhaps the fondest of my two memories from this store was created with my sweet husband a few years back. There is a river that runs behind the Walmart parking lot. My husband was an avid fisherman…his favorite hobby, by far. He loved to take me fishing with him, but I was more of a boat fisherwoman or bank-side angler. I typically didn’t wade the nearby trout streams. But, on this particular day, Chris challenged me to a new adventure. So, we climbed down the bank behind the Walmart parking lot, through briars and all, into the cold waters of the Swannanoa River. This day was the only day in all of our dating and married years that I out-fished my husband. 🙂

a Frond
As I shared this last story with Carol, I chuckled and said that Chris never forgot that day – and neither did I. I delighted greatly in sharing with a couple of friends my “successes” of that day way back when. Carol quickly chimed in, “And…I bet he wouldn’t be happy with you sharing about how you skunked him that day with me right now.” I laughed again. She was right, but I just couldn’t help myself. Suddenly I noticed a random leaf flying through this parking lot devoid of most trees. This “random” frond landed right behind me, but it caught my attention as it floated, so my gaze followed it to the ground. I almost gasped when I saw it. I picked it up and showed it to Carol.

“Do you see this?” I asked.

Carol was grinning, “Yes, I see it.”

“Oh good. I want to make sure I’m not going crazy. Another kiss from heaven,” I cheerfully announced!


The leaf that landed right behind me in the Walmart parking lot yesterday!



I think I struggle the most on the 9th…of each month. As many of you already know, the 9th was the day Chris and I were married (in August a few years back), but we celebrated our anniversary in little ways on the 9th of EVERY month.

While our August 9th anniversary was always the “big one”, allowing for a little more celebrating, we wanted to take time every month to remember the beautiful marriage God had given us. We would watch our wedding video on the 9th, Chris would bring me flowers on the 9th, I would give him a card or two, he would bake my favorite cookies (snickerdoodles), and occasionally…we might even go out for dinner and/or a movie if the 9th fell on the weekend.

And so…I’m finding the 9th of every month is a harder day for me than even the 4th (the day of his death). As I’ve thought about that, I think it boils down to one thing…I’m the only one that really cherishes and remembers the depth of meaning that day contains. I’m finding family and several friends still remember the 4th, so that day doesn’t seem to get swept under the rug as easily. But, the 9th…it’s all mine to grieve. Simply put, it’s difficult.

As I traveled home yesterday from a weekend in New Jersey…I remembered that it was, yet again, another 9th…for me to remember all alone. My heart quickly wanted to revert to a place of aching, as it so often does on this day. But, something different happened this time. I had another one of those quiet, heart-piercing “conversations” with the Lord that went a little like this…

God: Daughter, you spend a lot time remembering your special day each month.

Me: Yes, Lord. It’s very special to me.

God: Leah, you are very special to Me too. How often do you remember what I gave you over 2000 years ago?

Me: Lord, how could I forget?

God: I’m not saying you ever forget, but I’m asking…how often do you allow your heart to really go there? Really REMEMBER the anniversary of my time spent on the cross for you?

Me: Not enough Lord. Not enough.

God: I’m not asking you to forget the 9th, precious daughter. On the contrary, maybe on the 9th – reflect on the marriage I gave you and Chris that you intentionally centered on Me and the gift I gave both of you on the cross. As a result, you’ll both spend a lifetime with Me…the One that will never stop loving you.

Me: I’m sorry Lord. Please forgive me.

God: I already have.