From the pen of Brother Billy Sampson,
The other day was without a doubt one of the saddest days my family has ever faced. Watching our daughter Emily pile into a car today to live 700 miles away from everything she has ever known, was difficult to watch. Only GOD can help me through these emotions today.
I watched the grief my Dad has went through over the 58 years of being away from his family in Tennessee. He left in 1958. I watched my brother David leave NW Indiana 16 years ago to move south, and the tears of grandchildren, siblings, parents and grand parents as they said goodbye, and the continued grief my Dad felt as it came full circle for him.
Games, graduations, holidays, birthdays, time lost due to the miles of being apart, never to be experienced again. Emotions of family asking the questions of, "Why couldn't they have made it for this event or that event." etc....
I have witnessed emotions of bitterness, loneliness, anger, hurt, resentment, and fear. I have witnessed joy, and happiness for short moments of time as those separated by the many miles, only to have their emotions trampled again due to the distance between them once again. I have seen years go by between visits, due to peoples, "schedules." It takes deep rooted family love to deal with all this. Sometimes one side gives more than the other side to make it, "work." I can tell you whatever sadness you may have it's worth it every time, to spend those moments again with those family that is dear to your heart.
Dad never moved back south, and my brother will probably never move back north...
Will Emily? Only time will tell. The thought of loosing any time with my girls, and now my son-n-law and future grand children grieves my heart to a point I cant explain. Not being able to watch my grandchildren, or to see them often just fills my heart with misery.
Two wise preachers told me a while back, it was like a death when it first happens. I am beginning to understand that today.
I wish Justin and Emily the very best, and will pray for them until my dying breath. But today it is bittersweet. Happiness for your child as they start their new journey, yet nothing but tears and sadness in our house today.
So pray for my family today. We all need it. Especially for Ashley Sampson and Sarah J Sampson. These girls are very close to Emily. Pray for Jane as well.
Life sometimes makes NO SENSE AT ALL...But GOD will help ease our grief today...I have watched the LORD bring smiles when it seemed like you may never smile again. He has a plan, and I am part of it. Grief may be the emotion I have to deal with while dealing with this change, so grieve I will.
If you are away from your family, know I am praying for you today. I understand it all to well, unfortunately. Please pray that GOD lifts this heavy burden off of me soon.
Thanks for letting me say what I needed to say. Hug your kids, and grand kids today. Toss a ball and grill a hamburger on this holiday with them. Before you know it, they could move 700 miles away, with the chance of it being permanent.
Brother Billy Sampson's web page can be found at billysampsonministries.com |
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