A Life of Gratitude
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A Megsmiles Advent - December 25

12/24/2014

18 Comments

 
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A guest post from Pamela Terrell Cross:

I open my eyes. I look at a new day. I realize my God is just a breath away.  I rejoice and I praise Him for all that He does, so grateful for His amazing grace. I wrote this little statement on January 12, 2014, never realizing that I would need to hold on to that statement through the days ahead.  

Meg was, and is, a part of my every memory, my every breath, and my every thought. She is always on my mind and always in my heart. I see her running after Lil’ Wirt through the fields, helping Howard with legos or playing a game.  I see them all in one bed, Santa hats on, reading Christmas stories, laughing and laughing. I see how much they loved each other, how proud they were of each others' accomplishments. I see them sharing and loving. 

I see Meg sitting in her daddy’s lap on the tractor as a little girl, always ready to help him or go wherever he was headed. Then, grown up and driving the tractors, always laughing and smiling, loving the farm. I see her picking vegetables, hauling bushel baskets, throwing watermelons to the boys in the truck, or catching them as they threw them to her. I watched her patiently teaching her children, what to pick or weed, wanting them to experience what she did as a child, encouraging them to work hard and keep going.  

I watched her marry her best friend. She was a beautiful bride, so happy, excited and so determined to be a good wife and a good mother, creating a home that was inviting and as stress free as possible. I see her at the beach, picking apples, pumpkin hunting, or looking for the perfect Christmas tree. I see her at the park, shopping, never more than a phone call away. So many pictures flow through my mind, always laughing and smiling and enjoying every moment.  

I watched her play with her children, running and laughing, holding them close and teaching them life lessons through example.  I have always been so grateful she allowed me to share in so many of their day to day activities - watching her be a mom and spending time with them, making so many wonderful memories. Meg was a loving and caring daughter, a devoted, faithful and loving wife, a patient, proud, loving, godly mom, a devoted sister, and a true friend.  She was humble and gracious, kind and compassionate.  

I am overwhelmed with  all that has happened since Meg went home to heaven. I have seen complete strangers reach out across the miles to share words of encouragement, words of hope, prayers, and miles upon miles logged in.  I have seen a community of friends reach out to offer help and love to Meg’s family and our family because they loved Meg.  God did not cause this tragedy. Neither did he leave us or forsake us. But rather, he lifted us up and held us close.   

Meg loved Jesus with her whole being and tried to live a life that would glorify Him.  I can hear her sharing her faith and picture her with her head bent in prayer, or lifted up singing songs of praise. Christmas is a time of joy from the first Noel of the  angel to the manger where our Lord lay. It's a time of laughter and singing, of sharing and giving, time to seek out those who do not know the love of God and share your story.  

Meg’s story is the story of a humble, sweet young woman who embraced life with arms wide open, who led by example, and whose smile was contagious, opening doors, healing hurts and always evident. Meg is my daughter, but she was also my dearest and best friend.  My life and that of my family will never be the same, but the hope of Christmas and the joy of the Lord will never change. 

All of you that follow and run for Megsmiles are truly a blessing. Your posts, miles run, notes of encouragement, stories and accomplishments, lift us up and encourage us more than you will ever know.  Thank you for being a part of this family.  Today, I am thankful. Thankful for Meg and for the life she lived and the time we were able to spend with her. I'm thankful for a God who continues to cover us with His amazing grace.  

God bless you this Christmas, may His light shine on you and bring you peace.

18 Comments
Sharun
12/24/2014 09:52:32 am

God bless you Mrs. Cross. Wishing you a Merry Christmas. (((Hugs)))

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Tammie Davis
12/24/2014 10:04:44 am

I am speechless!! God bless and keep your family!! I am from Texas and did not even know she existed until her death and I so wish I had known her!! run on!! and Merry Christmas!!

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Shawn
12/24/2014 10:22:16 am

Pamela thank you for a glimpse into the life of your beautiful daughter. It brings us all a little closer to the person she truly was. God bless you and keep you, especially during this holiday and for days to come. I will continue to run my miles for Meg.

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Jenn O
12/24/2014 10:30:35 am

Love and prayers to you and Meg's entire family! Thank you for the glimpse into who Meg was, so we know where to keep our focus and how best to honor her memory! Peace in the season and God's loving arms around you all!

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Heather Shaheen
12/24/2014 10:47:57 am

Thank you Pam! You are an incredible witness of God's love, faith and the amazing hope we have in Christ. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We pray for God's peace, comfort and love to fill you! Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

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Jerry
12/24/2014 11:13:05 am

Merry Christmas! May you and your family be blessed with God’s peace! Thank you for sharing Meg with us!

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Heather
12/24/2014 11:16:12 am

Merry Christmas to you all. Meg is with you each and every day. We will continue to run our miles for Meg!

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Ryan Hudson
12/24/2014 11:28:06 am

Sweet Pam, I regret not knowing Meg better, but I'm so glad that you were her mom here for me to squeeze on and give that wonderful smile of yours a holy kiss on the cheek. I absolutely love having mischievous Whitfield in SS class. He makes me laugh. Through great tragedy I've come to love all of you. God bless all of you. Each of you inspire me. Merry Christmas sweet friend!😘

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Kelly Daily
12/24/2014 12:17:20 pm

God Bless The Cross Menzie family. We should all strive to be like Meg and her wonderful family.

Merry Christmas and thank you so very much for reaching out to me on many occasions.

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Kim Engleman
12/24/2014 12:39:33 pm

Peace and blessings to your family during the holidays. We know that an angel is watching over us. thoughts and prayers and lots of love being sent your way.

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Diane Miffleton
12/24/2014 08:21:00 pm

merry Christmas to your entire family Pam. You all have been so strong, dignified, and inspiring. Wishing you all lots of love and strength today and the days to come!💙

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Ruby Rocks
12/24/2014 11:33:57 pm

Thank you for such an awesome glimpse into Meg's life. Having four daughters of my own I cannot begin to imagine what life would be without them. You are never far from my thoughts Pam. The hope you reveal through your words is so inspiring. The legacy your daughter leaves flows through the hearts of so many. Love is the key ingredient that I see in these words you share I pray God's peace for you and your whole family.

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Lisa
12/25/2014 05:22:37 am

Thank you for this very beautiful Christmas message.

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michele
12/25/2014 08:58:49 am

thank you for your calm, peace dear lady.... you are such a good example for all of us..
good to see you and your sweet family Christmas eve.... hugs
Michele

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Linda McNally
12/25/2014 09:00:00 am

Pam---You are a beautiful, loving mom who raised a beautiful, loving daughter. This will forever remain the same.......:-)

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Kim McFee
12/25/2014 11:39:53 pm

Just beautiful. What a perfect tribute to her being. God Bless!

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Honi
12/26/2014 09:13:33 pm

What a phenomenal Mom you are my friend, and what a beautiful soul you and Wirt raised. Thank you for continuing to bless us all with memories of her. You are so loved Pam!

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Kathy Lowry
12/29/2014 09:24:49 am

I am so happy to have known Meg. In the brief 2 years that I knew her, I took in all that you have described. Meg will forever be a picture of God's best here on this earth, and now in heaven. Truly, your whole family could be another family in the Bible, that God was able to use to show triumph through Jesus in extreme times of adversity. Thanks for your amazing faith, and perseverance. You all and Meg will be beacon's of light always because of your obedience to God's ways, and for showing Jesus to the world. God bless you all!:)

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  • Keith Cartwright
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