April 8, 2016

Twenty-One Years Ago...

Twenty-one years ago, our Austin took us from *couple* to
*family-of-three*.  He stole our hearts and wound his way into our lives.
We would never be the same.  And, we were never happier not to be.

Since he was called home to heaven nearly three years ago,
his birthday is the most significant of all the dates that need acknowledgment.
We cannot let the day pass without remembering his life and what it means to ours.

We make it a practice to remember him on this day as a family.
It feels like the right thing to do, so, it is what we do.
All our children are special.  None of them are forgotten.

Austin is no exception.    


We are amazed at all the Lord allowed us to experience
together as a family of six.  We look back with thankful hearts.


Austin was planning to become an architect.
We loved to watch as he put pencil to paper.
God had blessed him with talents that could not be taught.


He was a diligent student and persevered with his
studies even in the midst of the health challenges he faced.
His strength of character was never more evident than in those times.
But, he would have told you that the strength we saw came from the Lord. 


When I take photos of the three we have here
with us, I always miss Austin's presence with them.
It hurts my Mama heart that he is absent from our home.
He is never far from our thoughts.  His memory lives on in our hearts.


Family photos just do not feel complete.


He is missed by us all.  Excruciatingly so.


One day, however, we will be together once again.
What a precious hope we have because of our Lord!
By God's great grace, we continually fill our hearts and minds
with the reality of what lies ahead.  What is to come. 

This is not where the story ends.

So, we remember.  And, we are grateful.
We also look forward with anticipation and joy.
The Lord truly is good and does all things well.
We are seeking always to rest our hearts in Him.

With Love, Camille

19 comments:

Katy said...

Beautifully written Camille. The pictures are so sweet!

Lady Farmer said...

Remembering your precious son today, Camille. Praying special blessings for each member of your dear family from our Gracious Heavenly Father (and warm hugs from me).

Debbie Harris said...

The Lord bless you, dear Camille.
Your precious post has touched my heartstrings placing a tear drop upon my cheek...
That photo of you and Austin with his darling drawing he made for you is quite the treasure you have to hold dear to your heart. "You're the purdist woman I've ever seen" just lovely. :)
I will be thinking of you and remembering you and your family today.

Love and hugs~~
Debbie

Nadine said...

That hope is so very precious...hugs to you!

Esther said...

Oh Camille!! Thinking of Austin with you today on his birthday!! Such a mix of emotions to miss him so much and yet be happy for him where he is. What precious memories we have of your dear son! And what wonderful hope we have in our Saviour that you will be one day be reunited with him! What a day that will be!! Thinking of you and praying for your family often but especially today! Love you my friend!

Down On The Farm said...

Prayers for you sweet mama. What a blessed hope we have as believers. The hope of heaven. The PROMISE of heaven. The promise of no more tears. The promise of eternity in His presence. I cannot imagine the hole in your lives that Austin's passing left . . . but I know that God has a plan. Take comfort in knowing you will see that handsome boy again one day, never to part again. Hugs. . . . .

Angela said...

Thank you for including us in Austin's birthday celebrations by so lovingly sharing who he was for us. May God continue to comfort your Mama's heart and those of your family.

Stephanie said...

Sweet Camille, your post is such a beautiful reflection of your heart and the memories you have of dear Austin. I can't help but cry and smile with you. I did not know Austin, but I have read so much about him on your blog and he was truly a remarkable young man. He seemed wise beyond his years.

What a joy for you to have had him in your life for 18 precious years thought I know you miss him every day. I cannot imagine the pain and heartache you feel, but I know the comfort of the Lord is very real and I know you rest in the arms of our Lord. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, sweet friend. Sending love your way!

Chelle said...

Beautiful. Its nice to have all the memories. Prayers for you.

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Thanks for sharing your memories of Austin in word and photos. So thankful for our Lord who loves us so much that He died on the cross and gave us a way to heaven through His blood. Earthly bodies grow weary and God is in the midst of it all. Including your loss but He's there with you all as well. Daily. Moment by moment. Isn't it fun when your kids make cards for you....like Justin did as well. I found one the other day while going thru stuff....makes ya laugh and hard to think about throwing it away! Can't do it! Hold onto the memories of Austin and hold on to God's promises. Hugs and blessings today on Austin's birthday!

Hopes Handcrafts said...

Thinking of you as you remember Austin's birthday and grieve his absence. Yes, what blessed hope it is to have eternity to look forward to being together agin {{hugs}} from julia xo

Camille said...

Katy ~ Thank you so much my friend! Hugs. :)

Raeann ~ You bless my heart....thank you, sweet friend! Hugs to you. :)

Debbie ~ Thank you for your kind words my friend. Purdy's is a gourmet chocolate company...Austin often gave me chocolates as a gift at Christmas or my birthday. He liked to use humour in his handcrafted cards...hence the play on words. Hugs! :)

Nadine ~ You are so right! How wonderful it is to belong to our precious Saviour. Hugs to you! :)

Esther ~ Thank you so much for your love and prayers for us. It is such a sweet comfort to know that you have fond memories of our boy...thank you for telling me...I never get tired of hearing it. Love to you! :)

Down on the Farm ~ Thank you for praying for us...what a blessing to my heart! And, thank you for your kind words of encouragement to keep focused on the eternal things. God is so very good to us, isn't He? Hugs! :)

Angela ~ You bless my heart...thank you! Hugs to you. :)

Stephanie ~ Thank you so much for your kind words and for praying for us...we are so blessed to belong to the Family of our Great God! Hugs! :)

Chelle ~ Yes, truly...memories are a sweet comfort though at times they can be difficult. How wonderful it is to have the Lord in the midst of the sorrow. Thank you for your prayers. Hugs to you! :)

Becky ~ It is so difficult to know what to part with and what to keep, isn't it? How wonderful to know that the Lord is on this journey with us and will be faithful to give grace each step of the way. Hugs! :)

Julia ~ It is such a blessing to have that certain hope of eternity with our Lord, isn't it? Thank you for your kind words and sweet friendship....Hugs to you! :)

With Love,
Camille

Jill said...

Love these photos and hard to believe 3 years has past. April 1st marked 5 years since we lost Jerry's brother and we miss him so much. Life seems to go on, but there is a void that can't be filled. :-( Thinking of you and your family. Hugs!

Blessings,
Jill

Maryann said...

You have been on my heart the last week, I remembered your son birthday was in April. I have been praying that the Lord would comfort your heart as I knew you would be especially missing him. You are right, this is not the end of the story, one day you will be reunited with your sweet son. Hugs to you. Maryann

Camille said...

Jill ~ You are so right...there is a void that no one else can fill. Each person is special and uniquely created by the Lord....what a precious thought that is! Hugs to you! :)

Maryann ~ You are a sweet blessing to my heart...thank you so much for lifting us up in prayer. The Lord is so very good to us, isn't He? I know you have so much going on in your lives these days....praying for you tonight. Hugs! :)

With love,
Camille

Sandy said...

Dear Camille, thinking of Austin with you today. We sure miss him every time we meet up. But the LORD's promise is good, we'll all be reunited in heaven one day. I love the card that he made for you, what an artist. Hugs to you and your family.
Sandy

Camille said...

Sandy ~ Thank you for your sweet friendship and kind words....you are always a blessing! Hugs to you all and with love, Camille

Cheesemakin' Mamma said...

Wonderful tribute to an amazing young man. I can't imagine taking photos of the family without feeling his absence. It must be so darned hard! I love you and wish I could give you a hug. Soon, my friend, soon... Hoping to get my passport next week!

Camille said...

Jackie ~ Thank you so much, my friend. It is hard...but, the Lord is in it each step of the way. What a precious thing it is to belong to Him and to have His Word and people to comfort our hearts. Only a little more than three months and you will be here...Lord-willing! Hugs to you. :)

With Love,
Camille