The condensed version

Last night I sat down at my computer and was somewhat prepared, I thought, to write about my mom, my sister Natasha and some of the current struggles ... the post was long and confused. Sometimes simplicity becomes necessary. And because none of these heartaches are simple, I feel a desire to go on and on -- but to condense it, to ask for prayer and to invite you into my thoughts is what I can do today.

March is the month that we lost our mom. So far in these first few days of March, I have thought so much of how much Natasha needs our mom right now. My mom being physically here can't be a reality. But what she fostered in us, remains with us. Our mom taught us to be faithful, prayerful and to look to Jesus. Because of that, Natasha can survive the tragedy of losing Case.

The rose garden long has been faded, all earthly things must decay. And our mother's with Jesus in heaven, seems long now since she went away. I'm so glad God's prayer line is still open, and that my mother taught me to pray. For I know she is patiently waiting, until we meet her in heaven that day.
- Creola Knifley Goode
Case is in her arms now. And this brings us all a bit of peace ---

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when the troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. -- Washington Irving

This is one of Natasha's favorite verses.