“We’re going to the chapel and we’re going to get married…”

The four cousins.  Heidi, Missy, Shawnacy and myself standing in front of the limo at our cousin Mark and Melanie’s wedding.  While growing up it was common to see the four of us together.  Our parents loanes us out to the other when vacationing or traveling.  Gram and Aunt Nancy picked us all up to bring us to dinner and church.  And most importantly…we were each other’s best friends and confidence while growing up.  There wasn’t anything we couldn’t handle or get through together.  This had been modeled by our parents…Missy and Shawnacy’s father, my Uncle Jim and my mom, Sue – are brother and sister. 

This is a family favorite photo.  There is a nicer one where we are actually looking at the limo and “posed” yet I like this one since it truly reflects our personalities.  Do you see that precious girl in the yellow?  Why of course it is that beautiful little sister of mine – smiling!  Always…my forever  memories of Heidi are the constant smiles.  Then Missy, the eldest in the group.  She looked out for us and tried to keep us in line but we were quite the trio to control.  Then there is Shawnacy, Missy little sister.  Oh my gosh – with that red hair and all those freckles.  Too cute.  Firey disposition and spunky…great Irish combination.  And then there is me…who knows what I was up to.  It looks like I was trying to run away.  I’ve always been a touch moody, lol.

While this is one of my favorite childhood photos it also brings sadness to my heart.  Missy and I were each the oldest with Heidi and Shawnacy as our baby sisters.  When together we functioned as a whole, 100% fun, troublesome and full of life.  Yet on April 3, 1994 Heidi was kidnapped and on June 29, 1995 Shawnacy was taken from us in an motorcycle accident.  The four cousins were now two – the two “older” siblings were left.  How would we live without our little sisters? This was a mystery for many years for me.

Thankfully ten years after Heidi’s disappearance I was introduced to this wonderful person, Jesus.  I opened up  my heart and invited Him in and I haven’t been the same since.  Although there is still pain and hurt, I know I can do anything with God’s strength and love. 

During lunch the other day at school someone commented on the blessing of having extended family – the memories and blessings of knowing your family and spending time with them.  Thankfully I have enough memories I could spend every day sharing a different family memory.  Yet if I spent all my time blogging, I wouldn’t be making memories with my daughter and family.  I like family traditions so I’m going to keep it going.  

Have you seen your family lately?  If not, pick up the phone and call them.  Email and  postal mail work yet I believe there is something powerful in human contact and hearing a voice in a coversation that is lost via email.  There has to be some truth in this since I haven’t found a single Scripture saying “Jesus text his disciples…” or “Jesus dropped a quick email to his father before healing the blind man…”  Who can you call today?  What relationship in your life can be healed with God’s help and a phone call?  I’m praying for you and blessed family time today…

Heidi wasn't able to celebrate her own wedding day yet she had dreams...
She knew what colors she would have and who she was going to marry...
Thankfully she was my maid-of-honor for my wedding.  I didn't understand why things happened the way they did back then yet am thankful today...Many have seen this photo on a couple of her missing person's flyer - today I share the entire picture with you in honor of a man who means the world to me.  This

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