"you are my sister"
It's what I've been prepping myself for the last 2 days.... I didn't know how it was going to go, but I knew it was singly going to be the most difficult day I've come across in a long time. As the time drew nearer and nearer to 6 pm, my stomach turned and I wanted to throw up. Dressed in dark jeans and a sweater, I walked into the funeral home. Because it wasn't quite 6 yet, I wasn't surprised that we were among the first ones. We made our way through the home, amazed at all of the beautiful flowers lining the walls and corner. Pink. Orange. Fuschia. Purple. Yellow. White. So beautiful. We made our way up to the casket. And there lay the most beautiful girl I have ever known. For once in her life, Bridgette actually looked serious. Her notorious dimples weren't caved in, with her pearly white gorgeous smile flashing. However, across her face did lay a grin. She was beautiful! I kept hearing "she's just taking a really long nap." We continued through the next room full of pictures and videos playing. "It is well" was playing along with the video, as I hummed along. We didn't see the family yet, so we planted our hefty bottoms on the couch in the hallway. When we sat down and took our coats off, I sat in awe at the line of people coming in. The lines were out the doors, down the hall way..... and it was only the beginning! Familiar faces walked in and out all night long. At about 6:20 the family arrived. They joked, apologettically, for being late. I sure wasn't going to yell at them! I controlled my tears and sobs until I held Heidi in my arms. She told me that just a few days ago, Bridgette was asking if Heidi had talked to me. She wanted to know how I was doing. I don't remember much else that was said, because I was focusing all of my energy on staying strong for Heidi. We sat back on the couch, occassionally standing up to hug people we knew. And still, people poured in. People everywhere crying. Bridgette touched SO many people's lives. I cannot even begin to explain to those who didn't know her how AMAZING of a person she was. How beautiful her smile and laugh was. Those things we'll carry on. Several girls pulled up their pant legs, displaying their crazy socks, which Bridgette loved so much. They wore them for her. Heidi said she wanted us to stay, so we sat on the couch off an on until about 8:15. The visitation was supposed to end at 8, but people were still everywhere and still coming in. Heidi wanted to introduce us to the notorious Aunt Irene (who is her great-aunt, and one of the funniest people I now know). We talked with her aunt and grandma for a few minutes until I felt a hand on my arm, I turned and dropped my coat at my feet as I hugged Gary. In a soft voice, he asked how I was doing. I said good. He then asked about school and if I met any good looking guys. Here stood the most incredible man of God that I have ever met, and he's joking around and sincerely wondering how I've been. Wow. He then hugged Aaron and talked to us for a few moments. He said he was amazed at how many people came tonight. And there's still 6 more hours tomorrow for people to go visit. Unbelievable! He said that he was doing strong for the moment, by the grace of God, and that when he got home, he was most likely going to weep like a little baby again. He lost his precious daughter. And he was jealous that she got to see Jesus before he did :-) Jessica, her older sister, also said the same thing, as she called Bridgette a "punk". Gary said that he hoped, and the family's prayer, was that this event would lead others to Christ. So many people in attendance were not believers tonight, and he asked us also to make it our prayer for this one death be the birth of several lead to Christ. I believe it! I believe it will happen, with all of my heart. I was touched at how much he ministered to people tonight. This funeral home became a mission field to him. It was awesome! We said our "see you Mondays" and then searched around for Heidi. The most devastating thing happened. We heard absolute weeping coming from the casket. It was Bridgette's boyfriend's sister, the girl who was driving the car when they got in the accident. 19 years old, and she now carries a heartful of guilt that will remain with her for a lifetime. I cannot imagine. Dan, Bridgette's boyfriend, had just proposed to her. We searched for Heidi before we left and finally found her. A gentleman was talking to her, and Aaron mentioned that he saw an awesome picture of Amanda, Bridgette and I up on the poster, so we walked back in to see. Heidi walked in behind us but someone else got to her first. Finally, I got to hug her again and she said "I love you. You're my sister, you know that, right?" and yet again, the tears poured down my face. It was so good to see her. It was so good to hold her in my arms. I wanted to be superman for her. I've never had the priviledge of having a sister, but Heidi Fleagle is the sister I would imagine God giving me. And I'm blessed to have her in my life.
On a brighter note, New Year's Eve was stellar. I went to Looper's house. First we all played psychologist. That was awesome. The first round, we all pretended to be Brian. Kevin, his younger brother, gave it away by his sappy talk about poetry. Haha. Then Danielle and I were allergic to Evan, Beth and Mike were "magnetic", Sam, Hannah, Brian and Luke were pathalogical liars, and Ransom, Mandy, Jen and Joel were nar..... I don't think I can spell that. They were stuck on themselves, basically. The funniest part was just after the room got silent, Ransom says "The bridge of my nose is perfect". Guess you had to be there. :-) It was just hilarious. After that we played mafia. Then all 20 of them played dodgeball in the barn, while Beth and I stayed inside to talk. We then watched a little bit of TV, the ball drop, and everyone played Balderdash. It was a great night! I had a ton of fun. Afterwards, I stopped to see Mark, but he had 2 of his friends, Maggie and Kim, over and he was being a jerk and a half, so I left a little ticked off. Why did I even bother stopping by? :-P
So that basically sums it up. We bought Napoleon Dynamite today. YEEHAW! That movie makes me laugh hysterically. I think we're going to go ahead and watch that when I'm done. Which is now. I've said enough. My whole body hurts, and I am ready for either a good laugh or bed. Laughing sounds like more fun though. So I hope you all are doing well! I hope you had an excellent New Year! I hope to talk to you all very soon. :-) God bless! Please pray for the service Monday, that Satan would be shut out of everyone's mind and that people will be turned to God. Please also continue to pray for the Fleagles, and I think it's Megan, the girl carrying the guilt of the wreck. It's not her fault. I know it would seem like it if I was in her shoes, but it was just Bridgette's time. God wanted to see those dimples up in Heaven. :-D He created something beautiful there.......
On a brighter note, New Year's Eve was stellar. I went to Looper's house. First we all played psychologist. That was awesome. The first round, we all pretended to be Brian. Kevin, his younger brother, gave it away by his sappy talk about poetry. Haha. Then Danielle and I were allergic to Evan, Beth and Mike were "magnetic", Sam, Hannah, Brian and Luke were pathalogical liars, and Ransom, Mandy, Jen and Joel were nar..... I don't think I can spell that. They were stuck on themselves, basically. The funniest part was just after the room got silent, Ransom says "The bridge of my nose is perfect". Guess you had to be there. :-) It was just hilarious. After that we played mafia. Then all 20 of them played dodgeball in the barn, while Beth and I stayed inside to talk. We then watched a little bit of TV, the ball drop, and everyone played Balderdash. It was a great night! I had a ton of fun. Afterwards, I stopped to see Mark, but he had 2 of his friends, Maggie and Kim, over and he was being a jerk and a half, so I left a little ticked off. Why did I even bother stopping by? :-P
So that basically sums it up. We bought Napoleon Dynamite today. YEEHAW! That movie makes me laugh hysterically. I think we're going to go ahead and watch that when I'm done. Which is now. I've said enough. My whole body hurts, and I am ready for either a good laugh or bed. Laughing sounds like more fun though. So I hope you all are doing well! I hope you had an excellent New Year! I hope to talk to you all very soon. :-) God bless! Please pray for the service Monday, that Satan would be shut out of everyone's mind and that people will be turned to God. Please also continue to pray for the Fleagles, and I think it's Megan, the girl carrying the guilt of the wreck. It's not her fault. I know it would seem like it if I was in her shoes, but it was just Bridgette's time. God wanted to see those dimples up in Heaven. :-D He created something beautiful there.......