our last picture
November 5, 2008I do try to be a peacemaker. At times the strength of my opinions stirs the pot a bit, but I hope you all know that the goal is never dissension. If I have opinions on a certain teachers yoke, it is likely that you will hear it. You can then formulate your own opinion of the situation and go on with life. We will never all agree. But I am launched into a place of influence here and I don’t take that lightly. I consider my words carefully and refrain from saying much that comes into my mind simply because I don’t have enough time to think it through. I would like to leave my 1 line about Mr. Osteen and my subsequent post on judging for just a couple days. I want to gather thoughts and respond to some of the specific comments in a way that will hopefully bring clarity rather than any misunderstanding.
I would like to talk about today.
I went to see a guest speaker at a church tonight – a church that I had not been to in a while. I was so welcomed by folks there and I actually got a chance to meet some people that I didn’t really know…people that read here everyday. It got me thinking about some things that I really want to get up here but I’ve been slacking off. So in the next two weeks, I’m will make a couple special posts:
I want to share
- some music that was close to misty’s heart
- the first round of her scripture cards (finally!)
- video postcard tutorial (have to go to AZ again next week - I’ll give step by step instructions for those of you who are technically challenged, but would love to do that)
Tonight though, I’m thinking about my lovely lady. Most of the day is too busy to think much about it, but I do miss her each night. Olivia does too. Speaking of Olivia, as I was tucking her in just now, I told her that mommy would have been proud of her today because she was so good. She sat quietly through the entire church service. She knew what I was talking about. “Mommy proud of me”, “I miss mommy”. I was missing her too…So I went into my pictures and I found one that you probably haven’t seen. It was 6 weeks ago, yesterday. It was our last picture together…it was the day she died. She was beautiful…even her last day here.
Goodnight Misty.
I’m going to bed.
Wish you were here.
This is a beautiful picture Darren, and one I know that you will treasure always. I’m tearing up just looking at it.
May you and Olivia be comforted tonight as you are missing Misty.
I feel you bro and I’m sorry for your lost .. may our God comfort you in these moments
Beautiful! Your picture took my breath away.
Not sure what to say, I am praying for you and we love you dearly. My heart was overcome with sadness this morning. The Holy Spirit got me up early and I asked for leading of who to pray for.
If some pictures are worth a thousand words, this one is worth two thousand! Simply Beautiful!
thank you for sharing such a special moment.
thank you for sharing, you and Misty have had a huge impact on my life and my walk with God, thank you
Thank you for sharing such an intimate moment. Your love and life are such an inspiration.
What an amazingly beautiful picture.
I can only imagine how much you miss her Darren.
DARREN , WE DONT OFTEN SEE YOU, BUT IT WAS A TREAT LAST NIGHT. MY HEART ACTUALLY LEPT WHEN I SAW YOU. FOR JOY MOSTLY, THAT IN THE FACE OF LIFES REAL STORMS YOU ARE NOT BEING KNOCKED DOWN, MAYBE TOSSED AROUND, MAYBE BRUSED, BUT NOT KNOCKED OUT. KEEP ON YOUR SERACH FOR TRUTH. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LORD AND HE WILL GUIDE YOUR PATH. AS FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL PICTURE OF MISTY..WHAT CAN I SAY, LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDS. NOT DEATH NOR SEPARATION..IT IS STILL THERE, LOVELY AS EVER, STRONG AS EVER. I BLESS YOU AND PRAY FOR YOU. YOU WILL MAKE IT. AND I KNOW YOU HAVE HEARD IT BEFORE, BUT MISTY IS DANCING ONTHAT STREET OF GOLD SAVING A PLACE FOR YOU BOTH, AND IN A MEAR BLINK OF AN EYE YOU ALL WILL BE TOGETHER. I KNOW YOU MISS HER AND I PRAY THAT GOD SHOWS YOU MERCY. LOVED SEEING YOU AND THAT LITTLE DOLL OF YOURS. SHE LOOKS SO MUCH LIKE MISTY. SHE IS AN AMAZING GIFT. PRAYING, DAWN ( SORRY ABOUT THE CAPS, DIDNT MEAN TO )
Beautiful…Thanks for sharing that sweet picture. I’m sure Misty would be proud of BOTH of you!
She’s beautiful. The Comforter will come. You have so many praying for you.
Beautiful Darren. What a treasure to have captured!
Praying for your peace and strength – joy!
Have a wonderful day.
WOW! Simply WOW! May the Lord cover you and Livi with His embrace at every moment of the day. Darren, Misty IS beautiful and nothing can take that beauty from her…not even death…Misty is still beautiful…
Keeping you in prayer…
I’m in tears. What a beautiful moment. Thank you for sharing that.
This is a wonderful picture Darren, you can just feel the love pouring out of this moment that you were able to capture. just simply…. Beautiful.
Thanks for sharing. You have touched my heart.
What a moment! There are no words to describe the beauty and meaning of that photo. I know one thing for sure, I’ll never forget it. Thanks for sharing.
What a beautiful picture. Tears filled my eyes. What a wonderful memory and treasure that picture will be. I lose my brother Roy (he was 43) on 27 June 07 to the same cancer as Misty. My heart goes out to you and Olivia. Thanks for sharing something so precsious.
Beautiful! I am crying. Thank you for sharing that precious moment with us.
Misty was an extremely blessed woman to be loved so completely. Many women spend their entire lives yearning for moments like the one you shared in this photo. I’m sure Misty felt your love all the way to the end.
And still does.
Thank you Darren for letting us share in such a wonderful moment. All the things of this earth are possible to endure with that real total love that comes down from the Father. Your picture reminds me of that real love. God be with you, Gail
Darren, I can’t even begin to imgaine what it must feel like to lose your best friend, your better half, your lover, your wife. You are amazingly strong through all of this and I am so glad that you are continuing to blog. You are such an inspiration, and Misty will not be forgotten. It was great to hear about how you talk so openly with Olivia…. I think it is very important.
Hope you have a great day.
Oh Darren what a special, precious picture!! She did look gorgeous even on her last night on earth. I just sat and stared at it for the longest time thinking what a strong, courageous man of God you are…please ALWAYS keep strong in God!!
As for your sweet, precious Olivia, you should make sure her bedroom has plenty of mommy pictures in there for her. Being the great photographer that you are Im sure you already have that one covered but just in case you dont………
I look forward to your Joel Osteen entry…this Im sure sounds horribly rude but he gets on my nerves…lol…I like more scripture and MEAT…hes too soft and “motivational” for me.
Love your strength!!
We are praying for you and Olivia, even though we can’t imagine how tough the lonely nights must be. Thank you for sharing such a personal and beautiful picutre. Misty was beautiful on the outside and her inner beauty matched. The way that you are carrying on, in her absence, with faith and joy in the Lord is evidence of your beauty, too. Did you have this photo as part of the memorial service in one of the photo slideshows?
I think it’s amazing how you are able to capture so much in just one picture.
I’m still reading daily, and still praying for you.
And just one more thing. I had a patient the other day and the situation reminded me of yours. He was basically sent home to die from cancer and I felt awful. He seemed like such a good person, had 3 young kids, and my heart broke. I spent the day taking care of him and just as I was leaving I stopped in to say bye and I met his wife. She seemed so alive, so full of energy, full of hope and faith, so ambitious in all of this and it reminded me of you. And, even knowing that he won’t be around too much longer, meeting his wife and seeing her with him made me feel a little better.
I just thought I’d share that with you.
darren i am pray in for u when i saw the pic i started to cry it bought tear to my eye when my uncle and 2 aunts died i have my churchin prayin for u and ut family
Darren,
Beautiful, so beautiful she is!!!! Thank you for sharing this BEAUTIFUL picture. Continuing to pray.
XOXO,
Tracey
Darren,
I just happend to come across your blog and am so glad I did…nice to meet you…
I am so very sorry for your loss…keeping you in your family in my thoughts and prayers always…
I lost my aunt to Breast Cancer it will be 3 years in march…she wasn’t just an aunt..she was like a sister to me and one of my best friends…I miss her dearly!
Thank you for sharing the last pic of you and your wife…it is beautiful…it brought me to tears.
I love how you share things about you and your daughter…such a great daddy!
Big Hugs!
Terri
You are so strong
You are certainly brave
I admire your strenght
I’m a friend of a friend of a friend ‘way down here in Texas who has been following your story. Olivia is so blessed to have such a wonderful daddy. Strange how a photo of two people I’ve never met can move me to tears. You are truly a man of God and I see Jesus in you. God bless you always, Darren.
Budded on earth only to bloom in heaven – God rest her beautiful soul
I still cry everytime I read your blog and it has something to do with Misty. Just seeing the last photo you took makes be bawl my eyes out. It would just kill me if God took my husband away. I often battle with God over things like this. Why that person God? That couple honoured You with all they had and You allowed such pain and suffering to come in and finally such loss. I know there is much to be learnt and gained. That I am short sighted and have very limited understanding. But it just hurts so much thinking about this…I’m so afraid to lose him – he’s my best friend, my closest companion…oh gosh, wish I could just stop crying.
Thank you so much for your openess and honesty. One of my favourite post segment is on Misty’s index cards.