Today I share someone else’s story. A story about the never-ending love when you are a Daddy’s girl –  forever. Thank you my sweet cousin for sharing your story. He was so very special to me also.

I will never forget this day. It was the day before Daddy died and he asked to go out and sit on the front porch for a while. This was also my birthday, and yes,  Dad went to be with Jesus the day after my birthday. I remember being so upset knowing it wouldn’t be long and that I didn’t want my Daddy leaving me on my birthday. I believe with all of my heart that he found the strength to somehow hold on  just one more day…… just for me.

The first strange thing that happened that day was that he was sitting in a chair right beside the front door on the porch.  It was as far as he could make it and I was on the other end of the porch in the swing. He looked at me and said, “Now how old are you today Sissy?”  I said, “I’m 35”  but in my mind that day,  at that moment, I felt like I was five again. I was Daddy’s little girl.  Most would think this was strange but for Daddy,  it wasn’t. He could never remember any of his kids’ birthdays. Mommy would always have to remind him, although I knew that no one mentioned it to him, because we didn’t want him to worry about it. Whenever Mommy would tell him it was our birthday? He would always try to make it special. We all knew he was too sick to make this one special –  or so we thought. He ended up making my last birthday with him the most memorable and special birthday of all.

To keep Daddy from seeing me cry,  I stepped out into the yard like I was playing with my dog, Harley,  at least until I can get myself straightened up. I looked up at Daddy just sitting there enjoying the outside that day. Even though it was June 25th,  it was a very nice day. It wasn’t too hot and it wasn’t too cold, it was just a perfect day. During this time, I noticed a beautiful butterfly flying around Daddy. It was purple and yellow (purple is my favorite color).  It was the prettiest butterfly I had ever seen. I don’t think he even noticed it but I remember thinking of the tale about what it means if a butterfly lands on you somewhere? like your shoe or whatever?  you would be getting a new pair of shoes!  So I kept watching this butterfly to see where it was going to land.  It just kept circling around Daddy.  I remember thinking – “he doesn’t need anything new,  because I knew he wouldn’t be here much longer, so why would he need anything?”  I knew this sounded silly, and I was even thinking it the whole time it was going through my mind. Just then, the butterfly landed right on  daddy’s head! It seemed like it was there forever. It was then that God spoke to me and said your Daddy is going to have a brand new body. No pain,  no more tears –  he will be made “brand new.” The feeling that came over me was such a peace that mere words could never describe. It is the very reason that I love butterflies, they will always be special to me. A reminder…. that God makes all things new.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21-4

I love to share great stories with you! I especially love it when God directs us to share and then to share again. And I especially love to be a part of great surprises!!!

Thank you to my wonderful friend for doing this painting for my cousin…. I know she will LOVE LOVE LOVE it – her story and your vision.. a God combination that turned out beautifully and will continue to minister to all that beholds it. God is faithful in all things, and she will have a visual to retell the story many times over. >3