Today is the anniversary of the death of my father-in-law. I am pondering this morning how we felt on this day last year.  His death was bitter, but there was sweetness in his expiration from this realm to the next. And there was and is much joy in the knowledge that he is in heaven, and we will join him one day.

The Christmas cactus above was given to us at the time of dad’s death. It is amazing that it is blooming now, since it has only bloomed one other time in the past year–during Easter season!

Just as the songbird sings after the rain, I am rejoicing today in what remains of his life. I am delighting in the Christmas cactus, heavy with pink blossoms and the beauty and knowledge of eternal life in this holiday season of joy.