Wednesday Treasures~Remembering Matthew

Hello Friends.  This may be a little different kind of post today.  You see, it is the 53rd birthday of our son Matthew, who is celebrating in heaven.  He's been celebrating there since May 25th, 2014...almost 12 years already, and that I can hardly fathom!

One of my favorite pictures of Matthew. I call it "Deer Matthew".

 The time really does fly, because in some ways it seems like it was just yesterday that he was still with us, celebrating his 41st birthday with our whole family.

This link tells more about that special birthday party, Matthew's 41st birthday, 

Matthew was enjoying his last birthday with all of the family there to celebrate with him.

I've been adding these links below to posts that I've written in memory of Matthew on his special birthdays since his passing, along with a few other special memories. I don't expect you to read all of these posts (unless you want to). I was trying to keep track of them for my own benefit.  Some of them may seem repetitive...I guess because,  sadly, there's no new news in Matthew's life to share.  So we cherish the wonderful memories that we do have and try to keep his memory alive in our hearts and minds.

Link to Matthew's 45th heavenly birthday (2018)

Link to Matthew's 49th heavenly birthday 

Link to Matthew's heavenly 50th birthday, which includes links to other posts about Matthew from his life.

Link to Matthew's 51st heavenly birthday

Link to Matthew's 52nd heavenly birthday

Link to "The Shaving Lesson", January, 2014

Link to Random Thoughts from a Grieving Heart, October 2014

Today we really didn't do anything special. I want to plant another rose bush in Matthew's memory, which hopefully will survive my lack of green thumb.  We may have to wait a little while, however, since we are still in a drought here.

I did go outside for a while and sat in the "Secret/Memorial Garden".  I had a little friend come and stay close to me...can you guess who it was?

Yep, Sweet Blackie...my trusty little companion...when I come outside he follows me around wherever I go...

Hello,  Blackie! You are looking very handsome today!

It was a beautiful day out in the garden...even if Still Waters Pond is still very very dry...

I walked down to the edge of the pond and looked around to where there should be water all around that "island" on the left side...I could probably walk all around it and maybe even across the pond, but I don't dare...the ground is very spongy and if my foot broke through, I would probably be up to my knees in muck. So, no thank you!

We dedicated this spot to Matthew after we moved here, because he loved ponds and fishing, and I know he would've loved it here...  

This picture was taken of Matthew on one of his trips down (from Maine) to visit us during those 4 years of battling cancer. Thankfully he was feeling well enough to go do some fishing while here on that particular trip...

These pictures were taken on the Ocklawaha River near the Eureka Bridge. (reference point for my memories).

And wonderfully, his brothers Scott and Benton were able to spend some time with him fishing while he was here...These are just some sweet memories I love to reflect on...

Back to the present:

Sadly the "Secret Memorial Garden" area is in need of a lot of work. But it's been So cold, and So dry...so maybe once the rains start up again I will be able to make this place look more like a garden again.

My poor swing is sinking down into the ground too...we need to do some repair work on it before I dare to "swing" in it again...

I was totally surprised to discover that the azalea bushes were starting to bloom!  That was a blessing and I consider it a gift...

Blackie enjoyed laying there on the ground next to my garden bench and it was as if he was sniffing the flowers and enjoying them...

He was also watching a bird somehwhere there in the area. I could hear it chirping in the distance. Thankfully Blackie didn't go searching for it.

Basically we spent a quiet day...our son Benton came over for a little visit while waiting for his truck to have some repairs  made to the AC system.  It's always wonderful when one of our kids comes over to visit.  I treasure those moments more and more as the years go by.  As we learned from our experience with Matthew, no one is granted immunity for sickness and troubles and sorrows in this life.  We must always be prepared for the possibility that at any time our soul might be required of us and we need to be ready to meet Jesus face to face immediately.  

I know Matthew was ready to go to heaven...he accepted Jesus as his Savior at an early age and lived his life as a devoted child of God.  He taught his son Noah all about the Lord from the time Noah was a baby...he made sure that he took the time to "train up (his) child in the way he should go, so that when he is old he will not depart from it..."(based on Proverbs 22:6). Matthew loved his wife Nicole and he honored his parents and lived an exemplary life...but most of all, he loved Jesus.  

Jesus promised that if we believe in Him, He would prepare a place for us in heaven, and that when the time is right, He will come and receive us to Himself so that we can be there with Him for eternity...

John 14:1-6  NKJV

1“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 

2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 

4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through Me."

I have no doubt that Matthew believed this, and that he is with Jesus, enjoying whatever heavenly "mansion"  God has prepared for him.  He may even be helping build our mansions for when we go there some day. 

Tonight's Sunset...

Let's end this post on a happy "note"....I love this song "I'll Fly Away", here being sung by Reba McEntire and her family...and this is what I believe...

I’ll Fly Away

Some bright morning when this life is over

I’ll fly away

To that home on God’s celestial shore

I’ll fly away

Chorus:

I’ll fly away oh glory

I’ll fly away (in the morning)

When I die hallelujah by and by

I’ll fly away

When the shadows of this life have gone

I’ll fly away

Like a bird from these prison walls I’ll fly

I’ll fly away

(Chorus)

I’ll fly away oh glory

I’ll fly away (in the morning)

When I die hallelujah by and by

I’ll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then

I’ll fly away

To a land where joys will never end

I’ll fly away"

(Chorus)

I’ll fly away oh glory

I’ll fly away (in the morning)

When I die hallelujah by and by

I’ll fly away"

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Matthew! Some day we will "fly away" and be there with you..."Hallelujah By and By!"