Dear Sister,

January 9, 2008nnnDear Sister,nnFirst let me tell you just how much I love you. Now let me tell you just how much I admire and respect you. Growing up and watching you and learning from you, I have to tell you, you are a source of inspiration. I have wanted to tell you for so long, how much I believe in you and how much courage you exude in your everyday life. Your strength to me is immeasurable. I have seen you during the saddest moments of your life and I have seen you in your highest moments. You have never ceased to amaze me how everyday you get up somehow and face another day. Your little sister has seen this. nnSister, I know you are facing many truths about where you are in life right now. You may want to, on some days, deny these truths and go forth. You can¡¦t. In order to get to where you are going, you have to turn toward it. Don¡¦t be afraid. Certainly don¡¦t think you are ever alone. But do know this, once you discover the truth about yourself, you will be able to see the world revolving in its own truth. The view will never be the same as it is today. Just don¡¦t be afraid. nnI have said to myself and yes to mom and dad a good many times, if I could fix it all for you, I would. If I could just make you see how many lives you have touched and how wonderful of a person you are. If I could just get you to see that you are entitled to experience happiness on your own terms and accept love I would. If I could make all the rain stop in your life, if I could stop the storm for just a bit, so you could see the rainbow over yonder, I would, sister, I would.nnYou are on the cusp of self-discovery. It¡¦s your discovery! You own this. No one else does, sister. You haven¡¦t made mistakes. You made choices that were at the time, what you needed to do. It doesn¡¦t mean you don¡¦t get to change your mind and ¡§edit¡¨ those choices now. Life itself is a journey. It is a journey that has so many hills and valleys. But like when you have a place you want to go, there are many different ways to get there. You are now looking into a different route, that¡¦s all. It¡¦s going to be okay. It¡¦s all going to be okay.nnNever during this new route think are you alone? I swear to you, sister, you are not. The Lord has plans for you. He has waited patiently beside you and He has lifted you when you have had no strength. He will continue to do that. Grace and mercy are gifts that only He can give. In the end, when it comes to forgiveness, remember this, you can ask another for it, but they have the choice to forgive or not. Once you ask, you must, must, must let go. The rest is up to them. However, with the Lord, ask and He will not only forgive you but He will bathe you in it. But you must let it go when you ask and have faith in His power of forgiveness, grace, mercy, and above all the unconditional love He has for you, His child. nnSister, there are angels all around you. They are the ones who have fought the battles of life also. Look and listen. Sometimes, messages are spoken through the words and actions of those you would least expect. That¡¦s God¡¦s work. nnLastly, I want you to know that I know in so many ways how you are feeling. I can relate to what you are experiencing. I will offer you this one last piece of advice¡KListen to your heart. If something just doesn¡¦t feel right or if that path you want to take just seems constantly blocked, it means your not listening and you shouldn¡¦t try to remove that road block. Don¡¦t go there. You will be alright. Your children, His children, will be alright. Just love ¡¥em sister. Count to ten and focus on those beautiful gifts you have. Who cares how they got here. They are here. Like when I stop in the midst of utter chaos in my own life and just look at my little gift. She¡¦s my second chance. Just think you got two second chances. ƒº It will be okay. Trust me on this one. God has a plan. So, turn it over to the expert. He did create the universe so He must know what He is doing, right? He wants you to be happy. Think of ¡§HOLDING GRACE¡¨ for second. God does have a purpose for you. God cries when you cry. Now, He is setting you up to receive His loving gift of grace. Accept it and feel it. Let it be sprinkled upon you. nnI love you remember that. Your family loves you. God and His angels love you. nnHolding on for another day,nPenelope Jean ƒºn