Category Archives: Articles
Moments and Memories
Moments and Memories
By Amber Leggette-Aldrich
On Thursday as we gathered around giving thanks for our Thanksgiving dinner, my mind was filled with memories of all the people I have loved over the years. My thoughts drifted on to loved ones that have passed.
I’ve learned over and over again how quickly life can come to an end, suddenly and without warning, it’s gone. Sometimes we don’t get a chance to say goodbye. There is pain in losing a loved one, but there can also be joy in remembering the love shared.
I received the following poem the day after my oldest son Jason passed away in 2002. It was circulating the internet at the time as a tribute by an unknown author to the victims of the 9-11 attacks on America. Upon further research I discovered the author’s name was Norma Cornett Marek and that she had actually written this poem in 1989 in memory of a lost loved one.
The words of this poem struck very deeply into my heart when I first read them, and 10 years later they still affect me. I am reminded again that it is the moments that we don’t share that become regrets. The moments of love that we do share become the memories that will bring joy and comfort. Never pass up the opportunities that God gives you to share your love with others.
If tomorrow never comes…
If I knew it would be the last time that I’d see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly, and pray the Lord your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time that I’d see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss, and call you back for just one more.
If I knew it would be the last time I’d hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would tape each word and action, and play them back throughout my days
If I knew it would be the last time, I would spare an extra minute or two,
To stop and say “I love you,” instead of assuming you know I do.
So just in case tomorrow never comes, and today is all I get,
I’d like to say how much I love you, and I hope we never will forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you’re waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes, you’ll surely regret the day
That you didn’t take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss,
And you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today, and whisper in their ear,
That you love them very much, and you’ll always hold them dear.
Take time to say “I’m sorry,” “Please forgive me,” “thank you” or “it’s okay”.
And if tomorrow never comes, you’ll have no regrets about today.
© Norma Cornett Marek ~ 1989
When I contacted Mrs. Marek back in 2002, she kindly granted permission to share her poem, providing proper credit be given.
Norma Marek suffered a massive stroke in 2002, then lost her battle with cancer in July 2004. But before she passed away, she had written many inspirational poems. A book of her poetry was compiled titled “Whispers from the Heart”. I have not been able to locate a current link to purchase the book, but I did find a link to some of her individual works. http://www.heartwhispers.net/
For those that have gone on, may our memories bring us joy in times remembered. For those still present, let us always grab hold of the moments we have and turn them into precious treasures.
God bless,
Amber
Press Release
“Am I at home on earth, or am I still in heaven?” This was the question asked by a little boy after being revived from a fatal accident. Do you believe in miracles?
In honor of Thanksgiving, “Faith, Hope & Miracles” by Amber Leggette-Aldrich will be made free on Amazon.com (Kindle version) November 22 and November 23, 2012.
This is a true story of a family’s journey from tragedy to miracles and blessings. After witnessing the death of her 8 year old son Christian in a tragic accident, Ms. Aldrich describes in detail his miraculous revival, followed by more miracles in his recovery.
“In 25 years of being a paramedic, I have never seen anyone with these kinds of traumas that survived”, said 1st responder Glenn Stevens of Matanuska Borough Emergency Services during the 2012 Alaska EMS Symposia. Dr. B.J. Coopes, head of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Providence Hospital in Anchorage Alaska said, “There was nothing normal about the resuscitation or recovery in Christian’s case”.
But perhaps the most astounding elements are Christian’s encounters with Jesus and what he saw in heaven during the 40 minutes before he was resuscitated.
Christian slept for about an hour and then woke up again. As soon as he began to stir, I took his hand and he opened his eyes and looked at me. He asked, “am I at home?” I said, “no honey, you are in the hospital”. He said, “no, am I at home on earth, or am I still in heaven?” A chill went through me as I began to realize the full scope of what I was hearing. I told him he was on earth and that everything was going to be alright. He became extremely agitated and grabbed me. He looked me right in the eyes and said, “Why did you take me away from Jesus? I didn’t want to come back, I wanted to stay with Jesus!”
In her 1st book, “Faith, Hope & Miracles”, Ms. Leggette-Aldrich shares the emotional impacts of her son’s journey in a way that is sure to inspire and encourage the reader. Is Jesus real? Does He still do miracles? Is there hope? You be the judge.
5 Star Reviews for “Faith, Hope & Miracles”:
“…The strength of this family’s faith was awe inspiring, as it was apparent from the start that the writer’s belief and trust in God is what kept her going. It made me reconsider just how strong my own faith really is…I used to wonder if miracles really happened anymore, but now I am positive they do! Thank you for sharing this beautiful work with the world Ms. Legette-Aldrich!” (Jason Robinson)
“I could not put this book down. I could actually feel the fear, pain, suffering, and yes, hope, of Christian’s parents. My heart went out to them. What a miraculeous recovery!…” (Yvonne Leggette)
“…Amber Leggette-Aldrich, (with her gift of superb authorship from God), is the gracious, fluent, flowing, experiential and narrative author of this wondrous story…As you read this marvelous story, you will be so blessed and will feel the emotional experiences of life-accident-death-miracle—>life.” (Don & Clara Zachary)
For a limited time only, get a free Kindle version of “Faith, Hope & Miracles” by Amber Leggette-Aldrich at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008J0Z2FQ
Don’t Cry Me A River, Help Me Dig A Well
Don’t Cry Me A River, Help Me Dig A Well!
The haunting images of eyes glazing over with death as a child dies in your arms; the shrieking and wailing of mourning announcing the death of another family member; the sickening stench of contaminated living areas; this and much more is a daily way of life for too many.
The main culprit of this devastation is the lack of access to safe, clean water and sanitation. 1.1 billion people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water. And 2.2 million people, most of them children, die each year from diseases related to unsafe water and unsanitary living conditions. This is a global water crisis, but there is a remedy.
There’s an old saying, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for lifetime”. What if that same principle was applied to the need for clean water? What if in the process of helping to provide the water, we could also provide skills to provide employment? This process could then be duplicated by the very people being helped, which in turn could be used to help others.
There have been technological advances that have created the means to install safe water wells and pumps, in a very affordable and feasible fashion. The materials used to build these wells and pumps are available nearly everywhere at a very reasonable cost. Once the local people are shown how to dig the wells properly and install the simple pumps, they not only have the means to provide fresh, clean water for themselves, but they can use the skills they have learned to help provide the same for others. This increases the rate at which this water crisis can be resolved.
If you could save a child from the agony of slow death, wouldn’t you try?
All too often the general response to this issue is “Well what can I do about it” or “What difference can I make”? Believe me, there is so much that can be done! It all begins with having the heart to care enough to want to help.
Many Christians consider the phrase “What would Jesus do?” when seeking guidance and direction. I think it’s fairly obvious what He would do here. I imagine He might also say, “Don’t cry me a river, help me dig a well”. While it may not be possible to go and help physically dig, you could sponsor a well with only a small donation. Be a hero, save a life.
For more information and to find out how you can help, please visit http://water4.org/simple-solution/
The Trials of Life
(Originally posted on July 11, 2012)
The Trials of Life
By Amber Leggette-Aldrich
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” (1 Peter 5:10)
“…May your character not be a writing upon the sand, but an inscription upon the rock! May your faith be no “baseless fabric of a vision,” but may it be builded of material able to endure that awful fire which shall consume the wood, hay, and stubble of the hypocrite… May your whole life be so settled and established, that all the blasts of hell, and all the storms of earth shall never be able to remove you. But notice how this blessing of being “stablished in the faith” is gained. The apostle’s words point us to suffering as the means employed–”After that ye have suffered awhile.” It is of no use to hope that we shall be well rooted if no rough winds pass over us. Those old gnarlings on the root of the oak tree, and those strange twistings of the branches, all tell of the many storms that have swept over it, and they are also indicators of the depth into which the roots have forced their way. So the Christian is made strong, and firmly rooted by all the trials and storms of life. Shrink not then from the tempestuous winds of trial, but take comfort, believing that by their rough discipline God is fulfilling this benediction to you.” (Spurgeon’s Devotionals)
Suffering. Not so pleasant a thought. Certainly it is not something that anyone would desire. Yet it is through the suffering that we, as Christians, are made strong. Think about a chunk of coal. After many years of tremendous pressure, it becomes a beautiful diamond. It is from the pressure put on us during our times of trials and suffering that we are being perfected for God’s Kingdom. It is through our faith and trust in God that we have the strength to go through the storms, knowing that there is victory on the other side.
In my book, “Faith, Hope & Miracles”, I shared some of the toughest trials a person could go through. But my faith gave me the strength to go through it all. I endured the suffering because God gave me hope in the knowledge of His eternal love. There were times when I said, “In spite of the storm, I am strong”. But now I know that it is because of the storm that I am stronger.
After the storm comes the rainbow. God gave me the privilege of witnessing and sharing in a precious miracle. It has been a privilege and joy for me to see the impact in people’s heart in sharing that miracle. What a blessing it is for me to share God’s love and goodness, not only when life is good, but even more during the trials!
“Faith, Hope & Miracles – the true story of a journey from tragedy through blessings” is available on Amazon in Kindle version and paperback copy.
This post by Martha Shaw speaks to my inner heart, reminding me that God wants to heal us inside and out. But we must be humble enough to let Him. Great post Martha!
When I was a little girl, I liked to play in my backyard and since I had a play house and a sandbox, the neighborhood kids liked to play in my yard also. It was a nice yard, but small and with a host of small kids running and playing, there were always skinned knees. I can remember Mom putting a bandage on it and for a time it seemed great. Afterall, it was ugly and having covered it with a bandage, I didn’t have to look at it. The bandage also kept me from “making it worse” and so it didn’t hurt so much anymore. Eventually Mom would, some time later, insist on peeling off the bandage so it could get a breath of air and fully heal. I didn’t like that. I preferred to avoid that part. I didn’t want to deal with it. Removing the bandage hurt…
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Amazing Grace
One of the most famous and powerful hymns, “Amazing Grace”, is the basic foundation of my testimony. I think it’s probably the same for most people if we really think about it.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me…. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.
T’was Grace that taught… my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear… the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares… we have already come. T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far… and Grace will lead us home.
The Lord has promised good to me… His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be… as long as life endures.
When we’ve been here ten thousand years… bright shining as the sun. We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise… then when we’ve first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me…. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now, I see.
So beautiful, so true. I am thankful for God’s Amazing Grace. I am thankful for His love for me.
Unconditional Love
This was one of the first articles I wrote back in 2009.
Unconditional Love
by Amber Leggette-Aldrich
What is unconditional love? The dictionary defines it as an intense feeling of tender affection and compassion, complete and guaranteed, with no conditions or limitations or provisions attached. Is it real? Yes.
I have heard the term “unconditional love” many times, but never really gave it much thought. The words “I love you” are thrown around so lightly and so often without any true purpose or real meaning, they begin to lose their effect in our lives. Too often we take our words for granted and speak them out of habit, without consideration of their true meanings.
As a writer, the words I put on paper are chosen carefully with much thought and intention. However the words that come out of my mouth are not always chosen carefully and the meanings are not always clear to
the listener. This was brought to my attention one day a few years ago when my son asked me if I was going to marry our cat. I said no, of course not, to which he replied, “But you said you love him”. It occurred to me that it must be terribly confusing to a child trying to learn and understand all the different meanings that some words have. Especially when the child takes things so literally, as my son does.
Trying to explain the concept and meaning of the word love proved to be very difficult. I tried to explain that sometimes we use the word love to simply express an emotion of affection, and he asked me “why can’t people just say what they mean?” I realized then that in order for him to truly understand the meaning, I would have to phrase it differently. So I began telling him “you hold my heart” instead of “I love you”. I explained to him that the spirit of the heart is fragile and must be treated gently and with great care. I also explained that it should only be given to those you trust not to break it. He understood this explanation, and since that time, I have seen through the emotion in his eyes that he feels it when he tells me “momma, you hold my heart”. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I didn’t understand the full meaning of love myself. I was only just beginning to learn.
A few months ago there was an incident when my son was scolded and sent to his room. A short time later he came to me and threw his arms around me and said he didn’t want for me to stop loving him. I asked him what made him think I would stop loving him and he replied, “because I did a bad thing”. I told him that I may feel disappointed or upset, or even angry with him at times, but I would never stop loving him. He asked me why and I said, “because you are my child, a
precious gift from God for which I will always be thankful”! Since that
conversation I have given much thought to the meaning of unconditional love.
Last month our Pastor gave a challenge to the congregation, to read
the entire New Testament in a month. I am almost finished now, and I find my thoughts continuing to focus on the concept of unconditional love. When I read the chapter on the crucifixion, (Luke 23) I remembered watching Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of Christ” and I thought about some of the feelings that movie provoked for me personally. Perhaps it is because I am a mother who has lost a child that I identified and felt a connection to Mary, the mother of Jesus, in that movie. She was shown in several scenes watching as the atrocities were being done, and she watched as He died. How strong her heart and faith must have been to endure such an agony! To witness the persecution and know it must be done, yet this was her son! To think about how she must have felt brought such a powerful and overwhelming emotion into my heart, I knew in an instant that I had just had a glimpse of understanding the true meaning of unconditional love.
Since that time I have had several memories of witnessing that kind
of love, and each time it has been between a parent and their child. I believe that it can exist between spouses and siblings as well, though the intensity of love seems to waver somewhat in those relationships.
Recently I was with a friend while she was reading something written by one of her children. I didn’t know what it was about at the time, but I saw the tears in her eyes. Several days later I had the privilege of reading the beautiful words her son wrote and I remembered so clearly the look on her face. It was joy and sorrow, pain and hope, faith and disappointment, pride and contentment. It was unconditional love! As I thought about the look on her face, it occurred to me that it must be the same look on God’s face as He looks at us, as His children!
I still remember the feelings in my heart so clearly, when I held each of my children for the first time. The awe, and warmth and joy, the
worries and concerns, and the hopes and dreams, all of these things and more, all wrapped up in one word…love! And I remember the feelings of disappointment as well as pride, watching them grow and learn, watching them experiencing life and love. I know what it feels like to be a parent. And I know what it is like to be someone’s child. When I was younger I didn’t understand or appreciate the things my parents did for me, or why they did them. Now I know they did these things because they loved me. Now I understand, and I am thankful for all that they did (and still continue to do) for me! I am no longer the stubborn and
rebellious child that I once was. Now when my parents ask something of me, I try to the best of my ability to do it. I try, not out of obligation or because I am supposed to, but because they love me and I love them.
Through understanding the bonds between a parent and child, my perception and relationship with God changed when I began to think of Him as my parent. Now, as I read the Scriptures, I see them as instructions from a Father who loves me. And I try to follow those instructions because I love Him.
My eyes have been opened to a new life and my heart has been forever changed. The Bible tells us to love one another. And it tells us to love the Lord with all our heart. Now I truly understand what that means, though I cannot fully describe it with words. I know in my heart without any doubts, that just as I will always love my children, no matter how irritating they are or how many times they fall down and make the same mistakes, God will always love me too. I will be forever thankful
to God, my Father, who art in Heaven, from whom all life and love
comes!
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16, 17 KJV)
Faith, Hope & Miracles Ebook
Trials and Triumphs
Amber Lea
Faith, Hope & Miracles 