"He Weeps" by Fireflight – Air1 Special Mix for Colorado Shooting Victims

"He Weeps" by Fireflight – Air1 Special Mix for Colorado Shooting Victims

Missing You, My Darling Daughter-in-Law

 

It seems impossible to believe it will be a year on December 23rd since you left us.  You're missed each and every day, most especially by Jacob.  Your baby Amelia couldn't be more precious.  She's healthy, happy, beautiful, smart, stubborn, and independent!  We all think of you many times a day as we do the things for Amelia that you should be doing.  You would love her so very much and you would be so proud of Jacob and the wonderful, loving father he is.  Some how I think you know that.  Perhaps God allows those who arrive at Heaven's Gates too soon (for earthly standards) to watch with pleasure the lives they left behind.

 

 

We love you very much, Jenni, and await the day we all meet again.

Oh, Target, Why'd You Have To Go and Break My Heart???

I haven't posted much since January, so I realize one of my first post returning to blogging really shouldn't be a rant. But ladies, I'm so mad at Target I could spit! From our local store here in Canton Michigan to Target National Headquarters Customer Service Department in Minneapolis Minnesota, I have NEVER, EVER been treated so rudely and coldly by ANY retail corporation before.  Now, I know Target is almost sacred ground to those who frequent those local Target stores.  I'm with ya.  I've always loved Target and I have done much of my personal and gift shopping there for many years.  I love moseying around the Dollar Spot, I love, love, love the children's and infants clothing and toys, I adore the Shabby Chic line, etc., etc., etc..  Target is one of my all time favorite stores.  So...what's the problem? 

By any chance, have you ever tried RETURNING anything to Target...without the sacred valid receipt???  No matter what the extenuating circumstances of the receipt less return, in the words of Mr. T, "I pity you"!

I totally understand that in our current economy no company can consider retail loss lightly.  Every company has a right to protect it's interests, even an obligation to it's customers in order to keep pricing down.  I get it.  Company policies are created to limit theft and protect against unwarranted returns which create financial loss.  I get it and agree with it.  The policy isn't really what I'm mad about.  I'm mad because ANY corporation and ANY level employee can enforce policies with a bit of humanity and kindness. 

Here's my story...
For Christmas my husband and I purchased my parents a sound board at Target.  Both of them are in their 80's, almost deaf and blind.  Their only real enjoyment is TV.  They have a hunormous 58" flat screen which takes care of see the TV, but they still couldn't hear it (though anyone else is hemorrhaging from the ears if you watch TV with them!).  Evidently, no one was able to make the sound board work with their TV so when we visited them last we brought it home with us to return.  The very next morning my husband took it to our local Target for return.  He had our receipt but admittedly the date for return had gone by.  Naturally, his request for even store credit was denied - by the person behind the service desk and by the store manager.  When he returned home I decided to call the Target Headquarters in Minneapolis.  I explained to the young male executive who had taken my call the circumstances of the purchase and the reasons why it had taken us longer than the time allowed in their policy to return the item.  Now, most of you know what kind of a winter we've had in our family.  Our daughter-in-law died having her and our son's first baby two days before Christmas.  The days since have been such as sad tearful movies are made of.  As I finished telling the guy the story, I was expecting a kind response, not necessarily a change in policy just for me. 

What did I get??? 

"Ya, ya, I hear all kinds of sad stories.  You still have to follow the rules." 

So, not only do we have a sound board we don't want, but Target has the honor of being the very first and only person or corporation from around the world to respond to our family's tragedy with a heartless, cold, cruel response. 

Congrats, Target Headquarters.

In Light of the Royal Wedding...

A Joyous Easter To You!

I love anything written by Max Lucado.  The following excerpts are from Lucado's online daily devotional, relevant to the meaning of Easter.  I love the bunnies and chicks and baskets that are part of the Easter/Spring celebration, but I cherish the true story of Easter.

I will be spending Easter with my husband, our daughter, and our two granddaughters at my parents home in Tennessee.  My Easter will be blessed and I'm wishing each of you a wonderful and blessed Easter too!

March 21:
Never More Human
By Max Lucado

“He poured out His soul unto death.” Isaiah 53:12 NKJV
The scene is very simple; you’ll recognize it quickly. A grove of twisted olive trees. Ground cluttered with large rocks. A low stone fence. A dark, dark night . . .

See that solitary figure? . . . Flat on the ground. Face stained with dirt and tears. Fists pounding the hard earth . . .

That’s Jesus . . . God was never more human than at this hour. God was never nearer to us than when he hurt.


March 22:
He Planned It
By Max Lucado

“This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge.” Acts 2:23 NIV

Jesus planned his own sacrifice.
He intentionally planted the tree from which his cross would be carved.

He willingly placed the iron ore in the heart of earth from which the nails would be cast . . .

Christ was the one who set in motion the political machinery that would send Pilate to Jerusalem . . .

He didn’t have to do it—but he did.



March 27:
Three O’Clock
By Max Lucado

“At noon the whole country was covered with darkness, which lasted for three hours.” Matthew 27:45 TEV

Of course the sky is dark; people are killing the Light of the World . . .

The sky weeps. And a lamb bleats. Remember the time of the scream? “At about three o’clock Jesus cried out.” Three o’clock in the afternoon, the hour of the temple sacrifice. Less than a mile to the east, a finely clothed priest leads a lamb to the slaughter, unaware that his work is futile. Heaven is not looking at the lamb of man but at “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29, RSV).



March 28:
A Tree That Will Never Fall
By Max Lucado

“God is strong and can help you not to fall.” Jude 24

Can God really keep you from falling?

To answer that, go to a . . . tree on a barren hill. A tree older than time. A tree that covers the mistakes of your past and the problems of your future. Be assured—that tree will never fall.



March 29:
Such Love
By Max Lucado

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34, NIV

How Jesus, with a body wracked with pain, eyes blinded by his own blood, and lungs yearning for air, could speak on behalf of some heartless thugs is beyond my comprehension. Never, never have I seen such love. If ever a person deserved a shot at revenge, Jesus did. But he didn’t take it. Instead he died for them. How could he do it? I don’t know. But I do know that all of a sudden my wounds seem very painless. My grudges and hard feelings are suddenly childish.

 
 
March 31:
On Behalf Of Jesus
By Max Lucado

“This man has done nothing wrong.” Luke 23:41

Finally someone is defending Jesus. Peter fled. The disciples hid. The Jews accused. Pilate washed his hands. Many could have spoken on behalf of Jesus, but none did. Until now.

Kind words from the lips of a thief. He makes his request. “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42).

The Savior turns his heavy head toward the prodigal child and promises, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Happy Easter From Our Tiniest Bunny

HAPPY EASTER FROM SOME-BUNNY SPECIAL!!!

This little bunny is Amelia, our newest granddaughter.  Many of you have been praying for her and her daddy since Christmas 2010 when our son lost his beautiful 29 year old wife during the birth of their first child.  Amelia is a tremendous blessing for all of us, especially her daddy.  Life has settled down a bit, however we're still in that mode of not being able to believe all this has happened.  It's been 4 months since Jen died and little Amelia entered our lives.  Our son Jacob is flourishing in his role as a new father, though he grieves terribly for Jenni.  But God is good and He has allowed all of to see that there is light and joy and life at the end of the tunnel.  Little Amelia is the happiest and most contented baby I've ever seen...and of course her Mimi thinks she's just about the most beautiful too!

I hope to post more often again now - I've missed interaction with all of you.  And I am so grateful for your love, prayers, and concern for our family.  May each of you be blessed this Easter by the renewal of nature around us and the joy that only God can provide!

Fundraiser held at Plymouth restaurant to support widowed dad

The benefit for our granddaughter Amelia tonight was wonderful. There are some very wonderful people in the world. WXYZ TV interviewed Jacob with Amelia this afternoon. If you'd like to see the interview click on the following link.

Fundraiser held at Plymouth restaurant to support widowed dad

"Thank you" isn't nearly enough for the many, many encouraging and compassionate notes and promises of prayer I've received from Blog Land. Each one of you is appreciated more than you will ever know. It's the love of so many and especially prayer, which is getting us through each day.

A News Article About My Granddaughter and Son

I've heard from so many old blogging friends and also many new friends since this nightmare began in our family on December 22. The love, and concern, and compassion has meant so much to me. Thank you.

I thought some of you may be interested in reading an article in the Detroit Free Press about a memorial benefit being given this Saturday for Amelia.


If you'd like to read more about my precious new granddaughter and her daddy, my son Jacob,a blog has been created for that purpose:

Once again, thank you for being...well...you!

Update - Baby Amelia & Her Daddy

So many have asked about Amelia and her daddy and how they can help.  The overwhelming love, concern, compassion, and interest has been such a comfort to all of us. 

A web page/blog has been created in Amelia's name to inform and direct those who have been asking how they can donate to the Amelia Bourque-Black Memorial Fund:
http://ameliarobinsue.blogspot.com/

*A PayPal button is available at the address above and on my upper right sidebar for online donation.  When you click on the button, you will be taken to a page to specify the amount you would like to gift to Amelia. After typing in the amount, click on "update total." You will then be taken to a page to log into PayPal and complete the transaction. If you don't have a PayPal account, it is quick and easy to set one up at PayPal.com.

*A post office box address for mail or donations is:
Jacob Black
PO Box 87202
Canton, Michigan 48187
All checks should be written to the Amelia Bourque-Black Memorial Fund.

*Donations may be made directly at any PNC Bank branch to the Amelia Bourque-Black Memorial Fund.

*The wonderful folks at Plymouth Roc (formerly Boulders) in Plymouth, Michigan is hosting "It Takes A Village" fundraiser for our precious granddaughter Amelia. As most of you know, our son Jacob lost his beautiful wife Jenni two days before Christmas after the emergency delivery of their baby girl Amelia. The event will be this Saturday, January 8 from 8:00 p.m. to Sunday 2:00 a.m. Address: 1020 W. Ann Arbor Road, Plymouth, Michigan. If any of you happen to live near Plymouth Michigan please stop in to enjoy some good music, good food, and good company - all for a good cause.

Gosh, there are a lot of wonderful folks in the world!  THANK YOU!!!

The Tiniest U of M Fan

Miss Amelia will be watching the game(s) on her daddy's shoulder today!

Please Pray For Us During Our Family Tragedy

Tragedy can strike any family at any given moment of any day.  Our family was rocked with the most devastating, heart breaking, life changing tragedy possible last week.  On December 21 our daughter-in-law Jenni and our son Jacob checked into the hospital for the delivery of their first child. As many of you know, Jacob and Jenni were married 18 months ago.  On what should have been the most wonderful day of their young lives, our beautiful daughter-in-law died following the emergency birth of our precious granddaughter Amelia. Amelia was born mid morning on December 22 and her mother went home to her Heavenly Father very early on the morning of December 23.  Words do not exist to describe the agony of the last week, especially for our son.  He is broken hearted and we are for him.  Please pray for Jacob as he raises his little girl.  And please pray for my husband Sandy and I and our daughter and son-in-law as we help him.  I will post again in the future with a web site being set up for Amelia.  Thank you friends in advance, for your support, friendship, and prayer.  Meanwhile, cherish your loved ones and love each other as if each moment were your last together.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalms 147:3

Pink!

A little pink from my garden...

Three sweet pink girls...

The cutest pink bug I've ever seen...

I want a pink house like this!!!

Beach beauties in pink and white...

This summers pink toes...

My two pink doll babies...

(check out Sydney's ocean theme dress)

A post card scene, pink tile roof, palm tree, and another feathered beauty... 

A new pink town to explore - Pass-a-Grille Florida...

What could be better than a pink sunset???

The pink clouds after the sunset can hold their own...

A gorgeous, Royal Albert teapot clock from dear friends for our anniversary...

Finally, a 40th wedding anniversary gift from my sweetheart...rubies are kind of pink, don't you think?

Stop in to visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for lots of wonderful pink posts!

so sorry, no pink saturday for me today

I'm sorry, I have had no access to my computer or photos all week.  I'll have to post next week.  Enjoy all the beautiful posts today!

Answered Prayer

Thank you so much to all of you who prayed...we have a healthy baby!  Thank God, there were no abnormalities at all found in the last test results. Yeah God!!!

Please Pray With Us...

I would so appreciate it if those of you who believe as strongly as I do in the power of prayer would please pray for one of our grandchildren.  Some tests have come back with a red flag.  It seems there is the possibility of a life threatening health issue.  More specific and more accurate tests have been completed and the results should be in by Monday.  Please pray with us that the results will be completely normal - a healthy child.  We have torn hearts, as we are supposed to go to Florida, in part to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary- which is June 27th.  The kids do not want us to change our plans but we can't imagne not being home to support them while they're going through such a stressful time.  So if you don't mind, add on a little prayer for us too as we travel and our family will not be together for a few weeks.  I'll post next week as soon as I have the awaited test results.  Thank you all so much for your faith and prayer.
xoxo