Journeys

Journeys through life require God to be in control. God does not promise us that life will be easy, or to always rush to our rescue, but He does promise to comfort us and to walk with us through every journey in life. Through out our lives, we will have many journeys. Journeys across the world, journeys that make us stronger and journeys that we learn and grow from. At the age of 3 months, the babies had to make one of these journeys....a journey that was 1300 miles.
Last Thursday, my Uncle Tom, suffered from a massive heart attack. We were not sure what the medical team would say quite yet, but we knew we needed to get down to Florida to see him and be with my Aunt and family. We weren't sure how we could get down there. With 3 month old babies, your life suddenly isn't the "pack up and go" lifestyle anymore....but that is what we did. I have driven/riden the "Florida Route" several times with my family, but this was my first time to make this journey as a mother. Let me tell you....Memphis and Birmingham are quite more intense at 3am when you have babies in tow. It was nerve racking and an emotional journey, but after 22 hours, we made it.

As we arrived at the hospital, I knew we had made the right decision to make the journey with the babies in tow. The smiles they brought to the faces in the ICU waiting room were priceless...but it didn't mask the real reason we had traveled such a great distance.

You may think that I was stupid or dumb or ignorant to make such a journey with two young babies in tow....but if those thoughts cross your mind, you didn't know my Uncle Tom. Uncle Tom aka Santa was truly an amazing man who brought a smile to everyone's face and laughter to everyone's heart. He was the kindest most easy going man you could ever meet. His greatest accomplishment in life was being Santa during the Christmas season to so many children who needed him. I saw him not only as my Uncle, or Santa, but someone who renewed my aunt and cousin Scotts life. Someone who gave them a new hope and upward look on a hurtful and painful past. Over the past 14 years, Uncle Tom gave so much to our family and his journey with us will never be forgotten.

It was a long and emotional week. It didn't hit me that he was gone until we were on our journey home and I looked at my two precious babies in the back seat who never got the chance to meet my favorite Santa. Christmas will never be the same for our family. But it will be a journey that we will have to know that God is there to comfort us and guide us. Uncle Tom had a wonderful journey here on this Earth and now he is with God and playing Santa for our the sweet children up there. My own children will here wonderful stories about their first journey to Florida to be with their amazing family as well as stories of my favorite Santa Clause.

As you continue your journey in life, whatever it may be, realize that everyone you meet...your are impacting. Also, if your journey begins to take a toll on your (because sometimes the journey's are long, hard or just overwhelming) never forget that God is there by your side to comfort you, hold your hand or just listen to you cry.

I love you Uncle Tom!!