God is a Mystery

Today my cousin Jennifer died. She had been battling problems with her liver for a long while. She was the only daughter of my cousin Susie. She had beuatiful fair skin and black hair. The last time I saw her was last year at my uncle Al's funeral. I didn't even recognize her. She was forever a five-year old in my mind's eye. But there I saw her a beautiful woman who was sweet and kind and joyful. Jenny was not a huge part of my life because she grew up in Florida. But from the few experiences I had with her and from the many stories I have come to know about her I feel a great amount of love for her.
She is also the grandaughter of my beloved aunt Bonnie who passed away from cancer. I have written about her as well on this blog.
I cannot imagine the pain my cousin Susie is going through. She, like me, was an unwed mother...Jenny was her little miracle baby! She was Susie's only daughter - only child! How a mother wants to protect and help her child. Yet, Susie was powerless...I know that everyone was praying very hard for a miracle. Yet, God decided to take Jenny. She studied music. She had a beautiful voice. In fact she sang at my beloved grandmother's funeral mass...
My uncle Tom and aunt Bonnie have a beautiful family - four girls and a boy. They also have many beautiful grandchildren. But the family has now lost its matriarch, Bonnie, and this lovely voice and soul, Jenny. They will persevere because they have faith. They will lean on the Lord. I will pray for them. I ask you to say a prayer for them as well. Jenny was a beautiful devoted daughter and granddaughter. She lived her life with joy despite her suffering and pain. She was called to be with Jesus. I had a very intense image come to me last night as I reflected on all of this. The image was of Jenny in a beautiful bridal gown. She looked radiant! I couldn't help imagining her walking with a white gown flowing behind her, beautiful music playing, grandma and aunt Bonnie standing along the way watching her and smiling. She held her own heart all aglow in her hands as her bouquet and when she reached the altar their stood Jesus with outstretched arms ready to accept his little bride and her heart all aglow with love just for Him. What a beautiful bride my cousin Jennifer was. Now she will celebrate at an eternal banquet. Jenny was only 24.

***Jenny is the little girl with long black curls, the young woman holding the picture frame, the young girl in pink,and the baby in her mother's arms in these pictures.