"Lulu"

He often called her Lulu,

I sometimes wondered why,

My sister’s name was Laura,

We had to say good-bye,

‘Cause Dad, he had a heart attack,

And the next one did him in,

Way back twenty years ago,

‘Cause that’s how long it’s been.

But sometimes seems like yesterday,

He’d be a hundred now,

His sister, my Aunt Ruby, 

Lived to one oh five somehow.

Dad’s birthday’s in November,

And my sister’s and mine, too,

So Thanksgiving was a special time, 

With birthdays each fall new.

But Laura, he called Lulu,

His little daughter, see,

Drowned in offshore waters,

And nevermore to be,

In this life’s trial and turmoil,

And joy and love and pain,

Five years she’s been where Dad is,

Our loss was heaven’s gain.

And I can’t help but remember,

When November rolls around,

All those family gatherings,

Mom’s table, sacred ground.

In this Thanksgiving season, 

I thank the Lord for them,

And for my brother, my close friend,

My wife, children and kin.

’Cause besides the gift of saving grace,

The thing that means the most,

Are the people who have loved us,

And ‘specially those we’ve lost.

But though they’re gone to heaven,

We have God’s awesome peace,

He comforts and encourages, 

And from grief will release.

So thank You for my father,

And for my sister, too,

For everyone who lived and loved,

We give all praise to You.

Thank You, Lord, just thank You,

You’ve given us so much,

And we will give You glory,

Give thanks for heaven’s touch.

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name…” (Psalm 103:1, NLT)

In this season of giving thanks, I encourage intentional praise for those people whom we have loved and lost. By lost I mean only that we have had to say a temporary good-bye to them. My children’s mother, my own mother and father, and my sister have all crossed over, which makes heaven even more real to me. It also motivates me to maximize the relationships that continue, with my wife, children and grandchildren, my brother, and my church family. Praise God for them! Give thanks for the people He has used to help you, encourage you and make you better. Cherish them and never take them for granted.

Lord, thank You for the people who have loved us, especially those whom You have called home, in Jesus’ name.

Art by JaNeil Anderson, janeilanderson.com. Used by permission. Thanks, JaNeil, and God bless you.