LOC For Phoebe

Today my family lost a very special person - Aunty Phoebe, who is infact my great aunt.  I come from a family that is steeped in heritage and grew up as a close and loving family, we are many and have been blessed to know what it means to be loved deeply by those we call 'family!'  Today, we are all feeling a deep sadness, that is only softened by the knowledge that Aunty has indeed gone home!

Creating this card has been like therapy for me, a balm for my sad heart as I thought about Aunty Phoebe,  my beautiful Nana's sister and along with the other Great Aunties and Uncles filled our childhood with love and laughter.  Being the oldest grandchildren, my Mother's siblings were only slightly older than us and it was more like growing up with lots of brothers and sisters, the great aunties and uncles were just aunties and uncles to us, people were amazed at how young they all were....and the love that freely flowed, not just to family but to all that dared enter the open doors of the family home!

Today as the news slowly registered, I started to make a card  for a special family member, I reflect back on the childhood I have been blessed with, and am so grateful to these beautiful ladies who  have been such treasures in our lives!  I am also so grateful that these dear ones have been 'pillars' of the faith and always there with an encouraging word to help guide us on the right path - so it is only fitting that I include this fabulous scripture from Isaiah 61:3 - "Give unto them Beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness!'

A great sadness sweeps over my heart when I think of the loss that our family is feeling today, but part of me is rejoicing knowing that Aunty is now 'home', with her God and reunited with some of her loved ones - what rejoicing there is in Heaven today....yes, my heart is sad, but not grieved, for I know it is not goodbye, but 'see you when I am looking at you!'

This is my card, it is only simple, but it is all my heart could muster today, where else would I go to create, for much needed therpy, but to my Layers of Color images, I don't have to try with these images, it all just comes together so easily the images just seem to create for themselves - I am grateful for that today - I wanted to create a card that was feminine yet showed strength, one that did not just show mourning but gave hope!

Thank you for stopping my today and for the love and support you give me - I appreciate each and every comment and each and every one of you!!  Thank you too, to those who have emailed and sent your love and prayers - you make my heart smile and I am so glad that we have ;linked arms - I {{{heart}}} you!!

{{{hugs}}}