Day 58- Happiness for Happiness sake.

Hey friends,

     For my dear friend Emily Trowbridge, September 12th isn't just the day after September 11th. For her, it is a day of sadness, a day of loss, a day of grief, and a day where she has a choice. She can let that grief consume her, or she can hold her head high, knowing that she CAN rejoice in the resurrection.

    I met Emily almost exactly a year ago, when I was deep in the trenches of my own grieving, and no matter how my friends tried to help, the truth is, that they didn't KNOW what I was feeling. And then came Emily...throughout the course of my senior year, she loved me and cared about me soo much, she not only climbed down into the trenches of grief that were consuming me, and showed me that God was there too, not only that, but God never LEFT me.

    It breaks my heart to know that today is a day of sadness for Emily, a day that she prepares herself for every year. I wish so much that I could wrap my arms around her and just tell her how beautiful, strong, smart, and AMAZING she is on this horrible day, but I can't. I can't be there like she was for me, I can't hold her hand as she cries today, and it makes my heart so heavy.

    Here's what I can do, I can talk about how much this girl means to me, I can pray for her from afar, and I can type this post knowing that eventually it will be seen by her, and know that she is loved. Emily, where do I even start? You are so strong, you have been through so much, and I know how easy it would have been for you to just give up, but you didn't, you powered through, and you continue to power through. You are a godly example of grief and loss for me, and for others around you. You live your life in such a God-honoring, and scripture driven way that those around you stop and stare in awe. You are an encouragement to others, your laugh and your smile simply light up any room you walk into. You are smart, the kind of smart that I reserve for only Graham, you and Rachel. You are beautiful, you are God's creation, you are perfect in his eyes. Above all, you are a hero. Life gave you incredible struggles and challenges, and you are not only overcoming them, but you are overcoming them with grace, with godliness, with wisdom, with kindness, with Joy, and with love.

My Hero

My hero is brave,
but she didn't fight a war.
My hero weathered the waves,
and stood through life's downpour.

My hero stood her ground,
through all the sadness and grief,
rising above the other voices was her JOYOUS sound,
grief would not steal her joy like a thief,

Instead, she powered through, and never lost her smile.
She knew the Devil delights in this, but she would not let him win,
she knew her joy would never cease to drive the Devil wild.
So, even on the worst days, she'd smile and hold up her chin.

My hero is a soldier,
though she would say, "that's silly",
there could be no one bolder,
than my one and only Emily.

I love you Em, and I'm praying for you today and always!
<3 Always,
Rose