"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 2 Peter 3:8
Thirteen years. An eternity. The blink of an eye. She would be thirteen years old today. A teenager. She has been gone 13 years, and it simultaneously feels like she died both only a moment ago and also a lifetime ago.
She would be spending her birthday with her big brother at the middle school end of year party (at the water park if the weather holds) - the one year they would have been in middle school together. Maybe she would have playfully ribbed her younger brothers about not getting to join in on the middle school fun. Maybe she would have loved the tall water slides, eagerly rushing from one thrilling ride to the next. Or maybe she would have preferred lying in an inner tube in the wave pool or lounging by the pool soaking up the vitamin D.
I miss her. The big occasions, like her 13th birthday, are obvious days for missing her, but I miss her every ordinary day, too. I've missed her every single day for thirteen years. I guess some things never change.
And, just as the author of the picture's caption imagines, I also like to think of my sweet girl playing joyously in heaven's gardens, and when she finally turns to look for me, I'm already there to embrace her. What a joyful reunion it will be!
My sweet Elena, happy thirteenth birthday, darling! I love you and miss you and can't wait to wrap my arms around you and celebrate with you. Until we meet again, know that you are so loved and so missed.
