celebrating life

today was my friend Amy's Memorial Service & Celebration of Life. i went with a couple of friends from high school (Lisa & Jackie). i have to admit i was a little nervous about seeing them. it had been at least 15 years, maybe even more, since i had seen them. Lisa and i had talked on the phone a few times. (we actually reconnected through facebook). i am so glad we did because it is like no time has passed at all. so.... i had all sorts of feelings leading up to today; sadness for Amy, excitement for seeing my friends and whoever else might be at the service, and lots of nervousness (is that a word?) for all of it put together. Lisa and Jackie came to my house and we drove together to Dallas, talking about Amy. all of us had fun and happy things to say about her. she will be missed so much. the service itself was great. they had buried Amy at a private ceremony on Tuesday of this week. which is understandable. i am sure i would have wanted to do the same thing. this whole thing has been so sad for so many people especially her family and close friends. Zig Ziglar was at the service and gave a wonderful speech and prayer for Amy. he loved her so much and was touched by her from the day he had met her. Amy's brother Barry gave the Obituary and Reflections. he did such a great job today. Amy's womans ministry The Journey Of Sisters was there as well. they all had so many nice things to say and one of them sang a beautiful song called 'I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy'. you might have heard it before, although i hadn't before today. if i ever find video of Amy's friend (Yanci McGregor) singing it i will post it. she did such a beautiful job. i know you can find the song on you tube but they don't compair to how great she sang today. i kind of forgot where i was while she was singing. there was a slide show of Amy's life as well. it was so nice to see, but also hard to watch. Amy lead such a wonderful life. she was so close to Christ and had so many friends. she went through some hard times but seemed to remain positive through the whole thing. she is/was such a great person.

after the service there was the 'Celebration of Life'. i saw a few more of my high school friends. it was a huge gathering of Amy's friends and family. before Amy died she had told her family how she wanted it done. what colors to use and told her mom 'don't be gloomy'. apparently even in her last breathes of life she was being silly and asked 'does anyone want to go with me?' she knew she would go to sleep and wake up in Heaven. she got to say goodbye to all of her friends, family and Joe (her boyfriend of a year). i hadn't seen Amy's mom and brother in years. Barry was just a little boy the last time i saw him. now he is grown with two boys and a little girl on the way. i got to say hi to Amy's mom and give her a big hug. she did a great job today and told so many nice and happy stories about Amy. i know Amy was proud of her, Barry, and Joe today. they weren't 'gloomy' at all, or if they were they did not show it.

it was a beautiful service and i am so glad Jackie, Lisa, and i got together for it. we will always remember Amy and the stories everyone told today of her. stories of Amy's garage sale finds and her resale shopping habits. Amy was so fun and such a positive person. she will be missed so much.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

sweet memories

I came across this picture yesterday of Amy & I in the 80s. We sure would laugh together at this picture if she were here.

I love and miss you lots sweet girl.

my friend Amy

i got a call this morning. (the kind of call no one wants to make, or receive). a dear friend of mine from high school (Amy Jones) had passed away. i found out (about a month ago) from another dear friend (Lisa) that Amy had cancer and was in the hospital. (renal cell carcinoma, the same cancer she had lost her father to 10 years ago).

if anyone knows me at all, knows i make few friends, but the ones i make become my friend and part of me forever, and Amy is one of them. i had not seen Amy in a long time. but she is one of those people that touched my life and from what i understand, has touched many.

the next thing i knew, i got a call that Amy was doing worse and wasn't expected to make it through the night. that was two days ago and, deep down in my heart, i knew Amy was fighting for her life and wanting to get better for herself, her mom, her brother, her boyfriend, and all of her friends. she always thought of others, and i think even on her last days she still was. my heart and tears go out to them.

Amy you are an angel and have always been. rest peacefully sweet girl. i know you are hugging on your dad right now and smiling bigger and brighter than you ever did before. Heaven is brighter now that you are in it. i miss you and i thank you for all the memories we had together, hanging out, watching your beauty pageants, going to slumber parties and laughing about everything. youre a dear friend and i can only hope to see you again someday.

Amy did so much with her life and left so much behind. She started a women's ministry called The Journey Of Sisters, wrote a book called, Twice As Much In Half The Time (you can click the link to buy a copy), and was a motivational speaker as well. (click here to see a small portion of who Amy was). also, this wonderful article was written by Tom Ziglar dedicated to Amy on the night he said goodbye to her. and finally, click this link to hear Amy giving her testimony on the radio.

Amy you are truly amazing. You will be dearly missed. I love you!
Amy= Hope