Sadly I'm doing a second post this evening to once again ask for your help in lifting up someone we all dearly love. Theresa's mother-in-law has now gone home to our Father's house. I don't know if I can find the words to express my sadness for the family at their loss...so many of you have a way of expressing things more beautifully than me, but I love Theresa so much, I wanted to try. Pray that through their sorrow, joy will be found for she is now seeing all the things we long to see.

I know I don't have to ask you take the time to go and offer Theresa a word or two of comfort...I know y'all too well. You're already on your way over there, perhaps before you even finish reading this post and that is how it should be. Theresa is a blessing to us all.

Keep Theresa, Cruz, their children and all the family in your prayers tonight for a safe journey as they travel to Brownsville and for strength in the coming days. Losing a parent is extremely difficult, but especially when it comes so close to a holiday.

Again, all I ask is you leave your name in the comment section to let SweetT know prayers are going up. Thank you.

I'm closing this post with a poem I read last year at French Larkspur's lovely blog. It was around this same time and it touched me so deeply having lost my own daddy around Thanksgiving so many years ago. With Tracey's kind permission, I'm reprinting it for the Cano family and all others who have experienced similar losses. God bless you all.

I'm Spending Christmas With Jesus This Year

I see the countless Christmas trees

Around the world below;

With the tiny lights, like Heaven's stars

Reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular,

Please wipe away that tear;

Because I'm spending Christmas

With Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs

That people hold so dear;

But the sounds of any music can't compare

With the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you

The joy their voices bring;

It is beyond description

To hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me,

I see the pain inside your heart,

But it's only for a while

That we will be apart.

I'll ask Him to light your spirit

As I tell him of your love,

So please pray for one another

As you lift your eyes above.

I can't tell you of the splendor

or the peace here in this place.

Can you imagine Christmas

With our Savior...face to face?

Please let your hearts be joyful

And let your spirit sing,

I'm spending Christmas in Heaven

And I'm walking with the King.