If Mom were Mayor of New York

Today is her birthday. She was 21 in Fort Bragg when I was born. She is 5 ft. tall and was a expert marksman as a young girl. She could dance, sing, write, entertain, but most of all love and understand. She is the daughter of a banker and a mayor. She is the unofficial mayor of the KY town in which she lives because of her knowledge of its history and her profound wisdom of how relationships work.

If she were mayor of New York, she would be the glue holding the bridges together between the protests and actual change. She would be standing in the gap between, connecting, and creating an intersection of all parties with measurable progress somewhere between the realistic and idealistic .

She would not have to be liked, but she would be loved. Why? Because she has the progressive wisdom based on themes of both sides, a win/win. She brings the right answers to the right questions. Each party would know that they were understood, but understood in a way that the city would progress without 100% agreement. 

She displays patience born out of wisdom, yet gets things moving that can be done now.

A shout out to you, Mom! Happy Birthday!!! The leaders should be calling you with all those who know you today to say "Happy Birthday".

ton fils.

Click here for a former post about her.

ma soeur brilliante et radiante.

View fullsize

This Christmas tree pictured on the left was my sister Lore's absolute favorite decoration during the holidays for her home in Murray, KY. For the last decade 24/7, the lights on that tree have remained lit in my house as a symbol of her since her unexpected passing on this date in 2004. When I look at the tree, I see Lore, and it still remains the first thing I notice each time I walk into my house, especially at night.

Losing Lore was unexpected, although she had suffered physically for many years. I often spoke with her about the woman in Mark 5 who was in a similar position. I sent her the 9th chaper in the Pursuit of God by Tozier when she was around 35. It's titled Meekness and Rest and is one of the most powerful chapters written in any book outside of scripture to me. To see her embrace her faith and her own beauty at even deeper levels after reading that was stunning.

Lore's faith was as real as anyone that I had known. The two ministers who spoke at her funeral each prayed for the faith she displayed in her life and suffering. 

Even to this day I continually think of her when I try to imagine what it's like to be away from the body and with our Lord spoken of by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5. Knowing whom she is with is how that imagination transcends doubt into hopeful anticipation. Through Lore to Christ is how my mind is often comforted or stabilized on any given day.

She was 43 with the heart and imagination of a child we're called through to Christ. The fountain of her youth never stop flowing by tears and laughter, repentance and forgiveness.

View fullsize

She is still the woman in the mirror when I am unable to find the man in the mirror who has the son in him.

The intimacy I shared with my sister was unparalleled in unconditional love and tenderness. Nothing had to be hidden. Laughter was a part of joy and sorrow that kept a vital balance internally and eternally for her and me, even if temporarily lost by feelings or circumstances.To display this intimacy, I share with you the letter on the left that she wrote that year, exactly 2 months prior.