A Megsmiles Advent - December 25

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.