Thursday, December 31, 2009

Goodbye 2009


As this year comes to a close, I look forward to not only a happy new year but also a happy new decade. I will go into 2010 with the certainty of knowing that the only way Guen could be well was for her to be taken from this imperfect world and ushered into Paradise. She is healed and whole now. We all wanted her to get better, and the prayer was answered in God's way.

We have all been met with countless challenges that have been life altering in differing ways. Friends and family can inspire and encourage each other, but the thing we most need is the peace that surpasses all understanding. All anyone can do is ask for strength from the One who is capable of providing it. I bid you a Happy New Year from the Prince of Peace.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Sister, You're such an Angel to Me



I purchased this ornament this year for my tree, in my sister's memory. Back in the day, Precious Moments was something I was fond of. I was not a big collector, but when we drove across country, we did stop at the headquarters and saw the famous chapel. I was surprised how extraordinary it was. So being nostalgic, this ornament caught my eye, because its a little red-headed girl holding something. I noticed she was holding a little angel in a gift box and thought, wow!-and for a split second I was reminded that Guen was such a gift to me. In the next few seconds I gasped when I realized what it said..."For my sister". It was a wierd-sad-happy-light headed-moment all rolled into one.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

On the 12th day of Christmas




Today marks 8 months since Guen passed. You don't realize how precious some gifts are, until you lose them. No one was to know that Guen would be with us for such a limited time. I made lots of assumptions about the future, and had big plans and dreams for us. I completely took for granted that she would just be there-only a phone call away.

This picture is from Easter 2006. As you may know, Guen went to be with the Lord, on His day-Easter Sunday 2009. It was taken in Newport Beach at the outdoor mall, Fashion Island. Guen was a tremendous gift to my mother. Living so close, they spent a lot of time together. This picture is precious to me.

Friday, December 11, 2009

On the 11th Day of Christmas





Guen's treasured gifts were her family. She was very happily married to Dave. She never said an unkind word about him in their 11 years of marriage. Trust me...she's my sister and she would have told me! lol:) I know she loved him dearly and for good reason. The love and care that he showered on my sister for so many years has also blessed her extended family. Their picture is from Thanksgiving 2005.

Guen lost a baby, through miscarriage, that they call "baby Gus". They are together now in Heaven.

The other joy in Guen's life was her daughter, Elizabeth, known to all as Libby. What a dream come true to have a baby girl and the beautiful Libby at that! Through all her pain, suffering, and despair, she only had to look at baby girl for encouragement. God's grace helped her to endure, but the gift of Libby was a special encouragement and source of strength. There they are in Oregon, 2009.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

On the 10th Day of Christmas





These Angel Wings are being sold on etsy and I love the concept. The artist, Lana Manis, rolls up individual pages from vintage books. I randomly found the angel wing tea-light holders a few months ago, and have left them up everyday.The picture is a family photo of Thanksgiving 2004. Guenevere will always be our angel.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

On the 9th Day of Christmas






This is Christmas 2001 at our old house. We did a buffet instead of a sit down dinner. Guen was really into Nick Chavez hair products at the time.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

On the 8th Day of Christmas






This is 2002 at my old house and we were celebrating Thanksgiving. We had no idea that would be our last holidays there, as a new house was in our future. We lived there over 9 years. The domino game is called "Mexican Train" and is a family favorite. Our table is never short of beverages.

Monday, December 7, 2009

On the 7th Day of Christmas




This is Christmas 2003 at the Molloys'. This was the first Christmas in their new house.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

On the 6th Day of Christmas





Here we are in 2004 for another California Christmas. Those were dates hanging off the palm trees in the Molloy backyard that day. The picture of Guenevere with Camden is another of my all time favorites. We had a lot of laughter and fun during the holidays. I miss her calling me for advice.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

On the 5th Day of Christmas






Here we are at my house for 2005. Guen collected Royal Albert's Country Roses, so I was gifting her collection.

Friday, December 4, 2009

On the 4th Day of Christmas





Christmas 2006 at Guen's house. I brought the food and set up an appetizer buffet. I like these pictures because Guen looks so relaxed.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

On the 3rd Day of Christmas





This was Christmas 2007 at Guens house. It was Libby's first Christmas, and she was 3 months old. Guen made a fabulous meal that night...way too much food! I remember salmon, chicken, and beef with all the trimmings.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

On the 2nd Day of Christmas



This was last year at my house. I remembering thinking days after it was over, that it was a particularly nice Christmas. When we found out that Guen was sick the following month in January, I was reminded of this. She had talked about her upcoming surgery that night as it was really on her mind. Because she was going to a very special doctor, I had no worries for her...convinced she would be all right.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The 12 Days Of Christmas



Guen loved Christmas and planning special dishes. I always looked forward to what she was going to make, because it would be delicious. She was a happy person and always looked forward to the future. Here she is helping to carve the turkey, Thanksgiving 2008.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Abundant Blessings


Praying that your Thanksgiving is filled with God's abundant love, and blessed with all the good things He takes such joy in giving.

This photo has always been my favorite picture of Guen. It captured something special. I don't know if I ever showed it to her. It was taken on Thanksgiving 2003.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Keep Your Fork

Consider the following true story about one dear woman who had followed the Savior and worshiped in the sanctuary of her church for nearly 70 years. She’d been diagnosed with a terminal illness and given only days to live. As she was getting her things "in order," the Pastor was called to her bed to discuss her final wishes. She told him which songs and scriptures she wanted at the service and what outfit she wanted to wear.

As the Pastor was leaving, the lady suddenly cried out, "Wait. There's one more little thing. I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The Pastor didn’t know what to say. "So that puzzles you, does it?" the lady asked the Pastor.

Then she explained: "In over 70 years of attending community socials and dinners, church functions and birthday parties, seems like every time some one would tell me, 'Keep your fork.' I liked to hear that because it meant something better was coming, like chocolate cake or pickled pears or pecan pie, something sweet and wonderful. So now I want my friends and family to remember me with a fork in my hand and when they ask, ‘What's with the fork?’ I want you to tell them: ‘Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.’"

The Pastor became teary eyed as he kissed his dear friend good-bye. He realized that, though he had been trained in theological mysteries, she had a far better grasp of eternity. For though she had lived a fine, long life, she KNEW something better was yet to come.

At the funeral, many, many people walked by the casket, for she was greatly admired in the community. They all saw the fork. Over and over, the Pastor was asked, "Why the fork?" And over and over he only smiled and said, “The best is yet to come.” During his message, he told what the fork had meant to her, and how he couldn’t stop thinking about it, and that now each one in the audience wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about the fork, either. For you who are godly and well loved of the Savior and your neighbor, the best is yet to come.-Author Unknown

Saturday, October 24, 2009

CARA Scholarships Awarded


In my May 20th posting I mentioned a CARA scholarship named in my sisters honor. Yesterday, October 23, 2009, The Guenevere T. Molloy scholarship was presented to two recipients. The luncheon and ceremony took place at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Irvine, California, as part of their 16th annual statewide conference.
Guen was a previous treasurer for CARA, and she had a lot of friends in the organization. James, the former president of CARA spoke such kind words about her, along with Kimberley and Christy. My brother-in-law, Dave, spoke as well with loving memories of who his wife was. My mom and I were so honored to be included in such a heartfelt and tearful tribute to our Guenevere. Clearly she had touched and blessed their lives.

James shared a verse,
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

This is quoted and thought of often. Many people hold on to it as a life verse. Not coincidentally, last week the verse had a new freshness for me when the word "hope" had jumped off the page. Somehow I had missed that word all these years and just dwelled on the idea of future. We can grasp on to this present hope. Its part of His plan for us. He is truly The Living Word.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Six month Anniversary


Today marks the sixth month since Guen went to be with the Lord. Oh how she loved her dogs over the years. Here she is with Penny. These song lyrics (David Crowder Band) sum up how I feel:
after night
comes the light
dawn is here
it’s a new day

everything will change
things will never be the same
we will never be the same
Guenevere we miss you and will always love you!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

For Libby

Breast Cancer Awareness




October is breast cancer awareness month. Evelyn Lauder, daughter-in-law of Estee Lauder,took these pictures as a fundraiser for breast cancer research. They are so sweet and vintage. She founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the highest rated charity of its type. She also developed the pink ribbons that are now ubiquitous. Her website is: http://www.evelynlauder.com/ and http://www.bcrfcure.org/