A LETTER TO HEAVEN

 Dec 23, 2013      Update.... It has been two years since we lost this precious child.  She is still with us in heart.  We lost her momma, we lost her, we lost my mother this summer and so many others, but still we smile with the memories of the joy they brought to all around them.


Mackenzie Beary, 11, of Finch Community died Friday, December 23 at her residence. She was born July 2, 2000 in Jonesboro to David and Teresa Beary. She was a 6th grader at Brookland Middle School and was a member of Central Baptist Church where she was involved with AWANA. She also enjoyed playing volleyball for the NEA Junior Olympics and snow skiing.


 When there is a young person like this who never gave up and reached out in the lives of so many she will live forever in my heart.  Diabetes is something that is not easy and this life was too short but she truly lived her life.


This is not the usual blog, but my blog is my voice to share so many things.  This is so much on my heart that I want to share it.  I wish that I could take this letter and place it in the hands of the little girl I wrote it for.  I wish that I could hold her and hug her and tell her we love her.  I said that I would write real and from the heart here and you can not get much more real than this. 

Right before Christmas we lost our niece in a tragic accident.  She left behind her two teenage sons and three small children.  She left behind a husband that loved her more than words could tell.  She left behind so many of us who will always keep her in our hearts.  We miss her so.  Teresa Beary will be missed by many.

Christmas was almost here again.  On Dec23 her little daughter died of a sudden illness.  Today is her visitation and tomorrow her funeral.  You can not imagine what a blessing she has been to all of us who knew her.  She …..Oh,…. how we will miss her.  I can not hold her, or hug her, or talk about her hopes and dreams.  So I write her a letter and I will share it here.

Dear Mackenzie,

            I had to write and tell you things that fill my heart.  I am so proud to say how special you are in so very many ways.

            Your years may be young but your insights and wisdom were so profound as you loved all around you.  Your ability to reach out to others caring, sharing, and inspiring was an example for others to aspire to achieve.

            Your physical beauty was breath taking with a smile that lights the room.  Your eyes sparkled and were filled with life and cheer.

            Your determination and confidence were impressive.  You did more than talk about someday you would be or do.  You did and lived and everyday touched the lives of all who knew you.

            Your courage and strength were exemplary as was your compassion for others.

            Your faith and conviction were pure and from the heart.  You did more than speak your beliefs, you lived your faith.  Such an example we might hope to achieve as we work and grow all of the years of our lives.  You were all of these things and more.

            There is no street address in heaven to send this so I’ll send it in a prayer.

            Are there angels that walk among us? This day I know for sure.  God gave us an angel and now he called you home.

            You live forever in our hearts. 

They have set up a fund for donations to help at the Liberty Bank in Jonesboro, Ar. for MacKenzie Beary.

SILENT NIGHT

SILENT NIGHT

‘Silent Night’ was my Grandmother’s favorite Christmas song.  When I hear the words it brings back wonderful memories and a silent sadness feeling the loss of the loved ones in my life.  The words, silent night instigate a mixture of thoughts and emotions.  The night may be silent because it is filled with peace, hope, and quite solitude.  It might be filled with silence because of loneliness, depression or even despair and hopelessness.  This is the time of year that can intensify emotions and memories.

Many people are busy buying all that they can to make the season bright and wonderful.  I do not believe that we can buy love or happiness.  I do think that if you can afford to buy what you desire, it can give you a wonderful feeling to give to others and be able to share something special with someone that you love.

Love is or should be the important thing.  There are so many people that are suffering hardship, misery, and pain.  It would be wonderful if we could reach out and magically make all things bright and wonderful filling the world with peace and love.  We have no such magic, but we do have magic of our own in each heart if we can find a way to bring it out.

If we take the time to care and share at this magic time of the year, we can make a difference.  It may be with a relative that has been sick or seemed down hearted and we take the time to visit or bring a box of cookies.  It could be helping a stranger.  It could be a wonderfully magic time watching the smiling faces of children as they find their brightly wrapped packages under the tree.  It could be sharing a few cans of food for the local food bank, a few coins or more if you could in the buckets as you hear the bells ring reminding you that this is the time of year you can make a difference.  Maybe you bought an extra toy to donate to those less fortunate.  You might let your own child take the toy in and feel a part of making the holiday special for someone less fortunate reminding them of how blessed and plentiful their own lives are and that we should never forget to reach out and help if we can.

Silent night may be a lonely night and a difficult time with sad memories.  I hear a lot of two kinds of thought.  You have those that are filled with the spirit of the season and smile with hope of peace and love and joy.  You also hear those who find comfort in the Scrooge syndrome of “Bah, Humbug.”  There does not seem to be a lot in between.  I sometimes find myself to be a little of both.

I have bright and warm memories of Christmas but also stark and desperate memories that bring a lonely, sad and silent feeling.  I hope that we can each and every one remember that there are those all around us that need the warmth of friendship and love or a helping hand at this most holy time of year.  I wish for each and everyone to find peace and hope for a bright and fulfilling future allowing their silent night to be one of joy to be alive and peace knowing that we are not alone in this world.  I believe that God is with us.  May God bless and keep you each and every one and you have a very Merry Christmas filled with love and the joy that comes in sharing and reaching out to others.  May this wonderful feeling fill your heart and stay with you through out the year and all of the years to come.

Merry Christmas

Linda J. Nance