I believe it was near Eva’s birthday in July 2008, when Lauren drew this picture for her grandmother. Eva was undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, which restricted her usual activities. Lauren was a happy, energetic nine-year-old who was always a ball of energy and loved to do things with her grandmother. During the sweltering summer months, they would play games, work on puzzles, and create art and crafts.
Lauren loved to draw, and even at an early age, she would add details to her drawings and use colors to make hers different. Lauren was a highly active child who loved to run, jump rope, ride her bike, roller skate, and love to swim. When she was drawing or crafting, that was the main time that she could sit still for any period.
We had several varieties of Hibiscus, with new blooms appearing daily throughout summer and into fall. When Jennifer brought her daughters over, Kaylee, Lauren, and even Grace wanted to be the one who got to bring Eva that special Hibiscus bloom. Usually, there were many to choose from. Eva had a glass Hibiscus bloom vase where the bloom could be put in to be displayed properly. They would look to find the best bloom and want a different kind than the last one.
If my memory is correct, Kaylee, Grace, and Eva were watching a movie while Lauren was in the kids’ room drawing. There were coloring books suitable for various age groups, drawing books, and craft paper supplies available. This is the picture that Lauren drew for her grandmother, which she saw but did not get selected. She cut it out and taped it on a sheet of purple craft paper and gave it to Eva. I loved the thought so much that I put it in a frame and kept it displayed. The craft paper has faded over the years, but her love can still be seen in the effort that day.
Life can be hard, and over the years, we can forget those moments when life was much simpler. Negative experiences may replace more positive memories, which can eventually fade over time. When we are depressed with the way things are going in our life, that is when we need to remember it was not always that way, and the future can be a much brighter day. I hope this drawing can help bring back memories of better times.
Peace and Hope
5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:1-8 New International Version
Discover more from RICHRAY BLOG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
