In Memory...

Two days ago, my husband was asked to officiate at a family gathering for the passing of a loved one. It was a beautiful spring day and I rode along, but because I didn't know the family, I chose a quiet spot to sit at the cemetary. It was a beautiful little garden... with flowers blooming. I had brought my pencil and pad and my iPod. As I sat there, with the soft wind blowing and listening to some of my favorite Chris Tomlin and David Crowder music, I looked around for something to sketch.

Suddenly, my eye was caught by the softly fluttering flag... flying at half mast.

In the midst of my peaceful moment, I was reminded of the weeks tragedies and losses at Virgina Tech. This week, I sold a painting of two blue dutch iris lying on their sides. The buyer wrote me and told me she was from a sorority at Georgia Southern and the blue iris is their sorority symbol. They were going to add a plaque to the painting "In memory of...." . It turns out, one of the girls who died in the shootings is a member of the same sorority at VT. They are sending the painting to their sister sorority as a memorial. It touched my heart deeply to be a part of that.

Quickly, my mind moved to my own grief and losses. I was reminded once again of the recent loss of my friend Dekon. (I miss you so very much Dekon!) I thought about the struggle for life another friend is going through and how her young life hangs on a thread.

I was reminded of the many people mourning the loss of a loved one who served our country and the pain and death and memorials happening all around me.

At that moment - I knew what I was going to draw - the flag at half mast. And I knew what the drawing would be called - "In Memory".

I cried as I drew. It released the sadness and grief I felt and yet it comforted me to draw the beauty of the gently fluttering flag. And even more comforting were the words of Chris Tomlin's song playing on my iPod.

What can take a dying man
And raise him up to life again?
What can heal the wounded soul?
What can make us white as snow?
What can fill the emptiness?
What can mend our brokenness? Brokenness?

Mighty, awesome, wonderful
Is the Holy cross.
Where the Lamb lay down His life
To lift us from the fall.
Mighty is the power of the cross.

What restores our faith in God?
What reveals the Father's love?
What can lead the wayward home?
What can melt a heart of stone?
What can free the guilty ones?
What can save and overcome? Overcome?

Mighty, awesome, wonderful
Is the Holy cross.
Where the Lamb lay down His life
To lift us from the fall.
Mighty is the power of the cross.

It's a miracle to me
It's a miracle to me
It's still a mystery
And it's still a mystery
It's a miracle to me
The power of God
Those who believe

Mighty, awesome, wonderful
Is the Holy cross.
Where the Lamb lay down His life
To lift us from the fall.

Oh and mighty, awesome, wonderful
Is the Holy cross.
Where the Lamb lay down His life
To lift us from the fall.
Mighty is the power of...
Mighty is the power of...
Mighty is the power of the cross.

Thank You for the cross.
Thank You for the cross.
I love the cross.
I love the cross.
It's a powerful cross.

What can take a dying man (thank You Jesus)
And raise him up to life again? (thank You Jesus)
Worship You Jesus (wonderful cross)
By Your wounds we are healed
By Your wounds we are saved

Mighty is the power of the cross (echo)
Mighty is the power of the cross (echo)
Thank You Jesus
For the Holy cross

(C) Chris Tomlin