Tuesday, May 13, 2014

choose joy




Happy 41st Birthday in heaven sweet friend!  Gitz, your legacy lives on in all the ways I both choose each day and choose joy!!  

You mentored me for years, without either of us knowing, someday I too would need to face choosing how I was going to live.  You loved big, shared openly and authentically, and always put HIM first.  "Its not about ME," you would remind us.  

You chose gracious living.  You chose big love.  You chose wide-open arms, embracing the mess with the blessings.  

You chose US, as the whole world got to know you, you chose them, and me, right back.  



I'll be at infusion this morning and have a meeting this afternoon and a long nap awaiting me later.  I have lots of news to share about my appointments from yesterday and I will be back as soon as I can to share…  









21 comments:

  1. I love everything about this post.

    Love and prayers and hugs, plus large doses of joy to you dear Vicky

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    1. Thank you Susan- I miss her so- but in writing a bit about her today it just makes me feel her close to me.

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  2. Hugs! And I bet Gitz is having the best birthday party!

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    1. I know Marcy- I think so too! Much dancing, singing, and cake eating for sure :)

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  3. Gitz was so beautiful on the outside, and I know on the inside even more in the ways you've described her. I would have liked to have known her too. I was among those in the world who missed this beautiful soul as she passed through for a time to make the impact only she could make. I'm glad you caught sight and grabbed hold for a while. :)

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    1. Me too! And I have no doubt you would have respected and admired each other as well Roxane. Sometime you'll have to search for her posts about the monastery they used to have their family vacations at - too cute for words- and oh how I now relate!

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  4. Hers was one of the first blogs I happened upon in the world of blogging. What an inspiration she was.

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    1. She was Susan- and somehow I would bet she brought you and I together which I am so grateful for! Blessings to you :)

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  5. Good morning, I am back :) Yesterday I read this about a hour after you posted...I had to run...and I didn't want to just comment in a rush. The first time you mentioned 'Gitz' I went to her blog and read and read...and of course I couldn't read it all...but I will go back and read more. She touched your heart and soul and so many others, and she touched mine, even tho I only got to know her after she was taken home...What a truly beautiful soul, what a gift to all of us, what a amazing spirit! a true earthly angel. Seeing the pictures again of your trip..to go by and visit ...and I remember how your superman...drove you miles of course so that you could..is a testament to how she impacted Life! I think I would want to go too....this brought tears, because that kind of human spirit we need more off..and i am humbled honored that I got to know her through your blog..Thank you so much for sharing her with us. Happy Birthday Beautiful Sara! I see her smiling down on you...to be remembered in such a way... Much love to you Vicky! this so touched me again!

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    1. Thanks for sharing in paying her tribute. I am so glad her time spent here on earth leaves such an impact on all who take the time to know her now, or knew her then.

      Love to you sweet one!

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  6. a hug for you to take with you and hold all day long…..xo

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  7. I count myself blessed that Sara and I got to exchange emails and prayer requests and that I have two of her paintings which I will treasure always. Looking forward to getting to spend time with her in Heaven. We all knew she was severely limited and faced hard battles each day but her death hit me like a prizefighters punch. She was so young and vital in her spirit and example. Miss her and her writing and I'm celebrating her life with you. Waiting to hear your update and praying. XOXOX

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    1. Thanks friend- glad we both got to share this blog world with her. Update coming very soon! xxoo

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  8. Dearest Vicky,
    When I saw the picture of you at Sara's grave, you holding the choose JOY pillow,
    and then saw the remarkable picture of "Gitz", it almost took my breath away. I miss
    her so... her humor, her resilience, her open heart, her courage, her sweet puppy love.
    Gitz changed the world and didn't have to leave her apartment to do it. She radiated His love
    in all of her signs and messages of hope. Thanks for remembering her heavenly birthday!

    Blessings to you, dear Vicky. And prayers...always prayers.
    God Bless!
    Love, Linda

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    1. I am so glad you also got to know her and treasured her like so many of us! Blessings and love to you!

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  10. Vicky,
    I am a long time reader of your blog (since about September 2011) and finally decided I needed to get an account and introduce myself to you. My pastor's wife lead a Lysa Terkeurst's "Made to Crave" Bible Study. Additional study online lead me to even more of her material. A prayer request for Gitz lead me to Gitz's blog and finally to you. Your story had me praying for you and periodically checking in to see how you are doing. Maybe it's how you handle it or maybe it's because I have two boys also. This January I was diagnosed with Leukemia. Somewhere in the middle of it, I wondered if there was another person with the same diagnosis undergoing similar treatment. Yes, there indeed is. Although I would not wish this six letter word on anyone, I'm thankful there are bloggers out there "making lemonade out of lemons" and sharing the experience. God bless you.
    Sincerely,
    Donna

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  11. Donna- I was so delighted to see your comment here- so good to meet you! But I am so, so sorry to hear of your own diagnosis- I pray you are doing well. Please feel free to email me if you would like to chat further- but please know I will pray for you! Love and blessings to you!

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  12. Thank you, Vicky, and love and blessings to you too!
    Donna

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  13. Hugging you from here, Vicky. Just reading the above comment about how Donna found you and Gitz. I found you both through Robin, and so grateful I did. Isn't it a lovely thing how He brings us together in His timing and Grace?!

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I welcome what you have to say. Thanks for taking the time to grace me with your thoughts and words!

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