8 Months Today

Today marks 8 months since my soulmate transitioned to Heaven. It was a very up and down day today. I had prepared myself for awhile now, knowing I was going to Phoenix to see her family. Her family could not be any nicer to me and have always considered me one of their own. I think Talia was always the most herself with her family. The last time we came out was last December for Christmas shortly after one of the tougher parts of Talia's journey where she really struggled with radiation. We only did 2 or 3 rounds and quit because of the effect it was having on Talia. Once we stopped, Talia started feeling well enough to drive on out to PHX for Christmas. She did so well and was so strong. She was still walking at that point and went shopping with her Mom and I think Sisters for some wigs. It was a little sentimental as we also visited a close Cousin of hers gravesite who had passed. Little did we know that would be the last time we would come out together. 

So I of course was looking forward to seeing her family but knowing part of me was missing was going to be hard. When I arrived they had the enclosed pictures of Talia up and I almost lost it then, but held it together. I stayed in a different room then we usually did because it just didn't seem right staying in the room we normally did. We all went to a Super Bowl Gospel Concert and it was so nice to see everyone having such an enjoyable time. More family came over for dinner and we played games. My sister Randi gave me my Christmas present which was the above picture of like a kind of hologram cube with a picture I took of Talia at a book store in Detroit from the weekend we got engaged. It kept getting harder and harder to keep it together but I did and it is a very special gift. My time came to a close and said goodbye to Mom, and got in the car and finally before I left the tears came crashing! I think it had been built up for a few days since I got here. 

After leaving, I decided to go take a hike at Papago Park where I used to go every night after work. I would hike up there amongst all the jack rabbits lol and I had my prayer rock I would sit on every night. I try to come back to that rock each time I come to Phoenix. (it was a lot easier to do the hike 16 years ago) It was interesting to me that I prayed for Talia at that time when I was living here and when I met her at work. It was a time in my life that I needed healing. Fast Forward, a lot has happened and praying for a much different type of healing now. All the time declaring God is good. I also prayed for the city as I could see the whole valley from up there and Mesa and Tempe. So much of they eyes of the world are on this city this weekend with hosting the super bowl. I love this place with the mountains and heat!!! but I really love this place because it's where I met my wife and one of the greatest blessings that I've been given. The grief is deep but God is seeing me through. 

Love you and Miss you Talia! So happy there is no death for those of us that know Christ and you are having the time of your life! You deserve it! 

Romans 8:
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b]neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Revelation 21:4
4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”