One Last Picture...

The first part of October, Kevin and I went to a small family reunion at the park. It was his dad's side of the family. Every year they get together for an afternoon of visiting and food. I took my camera. My father-in-law had requested that I take pictures, so I was ready to face the small crowd of "I hate my picture taken" family rebels.

First click was Kev's Aunt Marsha. Now, I have to tell a little history here... Aunt Marsha is QUEEN of not wanting her picture taken. She will turn her head, stick out her tongue, put her hands in front of her face until you get tired of trying and move on. But that day was different. The first click was a smile. She looked straight at the camera and smiled. I even got a second picture of her with a cousin. Again she looked straight at the camera and smiled. I remember thinking "WOW!", but went on to hound all the other poor victims who had to put up with crazy camera lady that day.

Fast forward to this past Wednesday night. It was bonfire night for the youth group at church. We do it every year, the Wednesday before the week of Thanksgiving. I again was taking pictures. Of course the kiddos like to pose a little more than Kev's relatives. :) That night I was looking at the pictures I was taking and went forward too far. The first picture on the memory card was Aunt Marsha. I stopped for a moment and smiled. I then went back to the bonfire and teenagers, not giving that picture another thought...

UNTIL...

My phone rang Wednesday night late. It was my brother-in-law needing to speak to Kevin. His Aunt Marsha had passed away from a stroke. She was gone. He went on to the hospital to see his uncle and I laid in bed thinking about all that had happened. And then I remembered the picture. It would turn out to be the last picture taken of her, that I know of. She smiled for one last picture.

She couldn't have known at that moment, yet I have to think that maybe, just maybe the thought crossed her mind..."I think I will smile this time." Thank you, Lord for what I believe must have been a sweet whisper in her ear. Her family needed that one last picture.

Aunt Marsha, you will be missed.

Please pray for my hubby's family. Our day was spent graveside.