Just a Testimony for Thanksgiving

[mercyreigns (mercyreigns)]

Thanksgiving is coming soon and it will be the first Thanksgiving for me and my sister without my brother, the second without my mother, the fifth without my other brother and without my dad.

They all have passed away. It will be a poignant time for us, bitter-sweet. It is just me and my younger sister left and we are only 54 & 46. My brothers both died in their early 40's.

What I am sharing here is one of the last e-mails I received from my brother (he wasn't big on the e-mail thing) but this one is a testimony of a miracle only God could have done.

My brother was an atheist, an avid believer in the Big Bang theory, even wrote a thesis on it in college. Here is the e-mail: (Hope it blesses you)

with love and thankfulness,

Nancy Curra


From : <iwbillsw@aol.com>
Sent : Friday, June 11, 2004 8:28 AM
To : inmercyrejoice@hotmail.com
Subject : Hi Nancy

| | | personal | Inbox


Hi Nancy,

I've been try to call you, but your phone is always busy.
I tried all night last night.
Let me know a good time to call.

I Love You.

I found God.
Mom's death caused me to think.
I feel incredible peace.
I know Mom is in a better place.
I asked God to save me through His Son
Jesus Christ.
I think the purpose of death is a final push
for us to accept God.

I've so much to talk to you about, but I
can't get you on the phone.

This thing with Jorge is hard to explain.
Jorge is a good person and I love him.
He just has a hard time doing chores.

I Love You More!

Love Always,
Your Brother,
Bill

[joyce (joyce)]

Thanks for sharing that, Nancy. It’s refreshing to read about answers like yours.

Families really do matter and we learn to appreciate them more especially after we’ve lost members….. My brother died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism the day after Thanksgiving 7 years ago. He was 47. Left behind a wife and three daughters. This time of year is very difficult for me but I know God has “gone and prepared a place for me” as well. I’ll always remember literally holding up my father, who was in the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease, at my brother’s gravesite and trying to explain to him what we were doing there. “He’s with Jesus, Dad, he’s with Jesus.” These memories are precious to me because I know what it is to have loved and I also know what it is to have lost.

Factnet friends….. take time to focus on your loved ones – not just at Thanksgiving, but regularly. I want to be truly thankful for the busy days I have; truly thankful that people “need” me; truly thankful that I can still climb stairs, type on a keyboard, can kiss my grandchildren and love my husband. God has blessed us abundantly and is passionate about us. Who could ask for more?

[lee (lee)]

Your words are so true ladies.

We just lost an 18 yr old nephew to melanoma. It has been a tragicaly deep loss. After spending last weekend with his family and extended family, I realize the emotional trauma they suffer. Who cares about how clean the house is, how good the meals are, where you go to church, what your doctrine is, how you stumble through it. What is
important is the bond you have and how you nurture it.

I am thankful for so many loved ones and for the FN family. You have all helped me put some pieces together that may not have ever come together if it were'nt for your voices.

[david_munson (david_munson)]

<font color="000000"><font face="arial,helvetica"></font>
Nancy,
I think of how it says in the Word about one who repents and finds the Lord in Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

It must have been very loud in heaven when he found his Life in Christ.

Glory to the Lord for His mercy which He shows towards us.
I thank the Lord with you for His answering your prayers.
Thank you for sharing such beautiful news.

Dave

</font>}

(Message edited by david munson on November 16, 2005)

[jeannie (jeannie)]

Dearest Nancy, Thank you for sharing your dear brother's email with us. You have had great loss in your life and yet everything about you speaks not of loss but of life and hope. There is no easy way to avoid the firsts, first Thanksgiving, first Christmas and... it is just plain damn hard. What a privilege it has been to get to know you through this forum! We here know you and love you, we know you are a survivor. I pray that God imparts more of the sweet in the bittersweet this holiday.

Joyce, Lee... what can I say? I have drawn such strength because you are in my life. I am incredibly thankful for the connections I have made here.

[dragged_thru_mud (dragged_thru_mud)]

I shall pray 4u Nancy.

[isabella (isabella)]

Hi Nancy!

You are one of a kind.

Thank you.

Love,
Isabella

[escaped (escaped)]

Nancy, that was so sweet, and amazing! I was in tears. thank you for sharing that amazing precious email from your brother. It touched the heart deeply.

[mercyreigns (mercyreigns)]

thank you for your edification and encouragement. I have found great solace and true fellowship here and am so thankful for all of you. God bless.

Nancy Curra