The Saturday immediately after Thanksgiving will always feel like the anniversary of Nick leaving us for Heaven, but glancing at the date on my computer this morning reminded me of the reality of today's date, November 29th....... the ending date on Nick's tombstone.

I really didn't want to have an ending date etched in stone.  I remember talking with Tim about placing a crescendo (<) instead of a dash after his birthdate (May 22, 1995) and just leaving it at that, but years from now people might not have understood.

When I think of Nick, though, I think of him fully alive.

I think of him grinning and, honestly, enjoying the fun of keeping us all encouraged with random pennies here and there and wind chimes blowing just when we need them.

I think of him taking care of Adrienne.  He was always our child who asked about her often.  "Mom, how old would Adrienne be now?" was a question he asked me many times in his little life.  It was so cute to watch him calculate her age.  When I think of them together in Heaven, I wonder, "Is she really almost 20 and Nick 16 or is she still a baby and Nick still 13?"  Or "Are they the same age in Heaven?"  I just don't know.  But I do know this:

They are in the presence of God.

They are safe from this world's evil.

They finished the race beautifully.

Now my focus has to be making sure my other kids do too.

So today, I smile when I think of my sweet angels.  I'm a blessed mom to have two children waiting for me in eternity.  I wonder if they get to help prepare my mansion and Tim's?  If they do, I think I am in for some funny surprises!

Dad played another song for me this weekend.  A song that seems so appropriate to share with you today.   This is a song that  you can also sing as you think of your loved ones who are waiting for you in Heaven. 

Scroll down below my Facebook friend list and pause my blog music if you want to listen to this song that shares exactly why I can smile today and everyday.

This song shares why "I can smile when I should be sad."

HEBREWS 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,

the author and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame,

and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Oh So Thankful for the Promise of Eternity and for Each of You,