Keys to Heaven

Memories of both of our kitchens, your extravagant gift to us, memories of joy and laughter and meals are connected with this vessel, this metal urn holding today’s gifts of Creation.

It was the first vessel I used when I began taking these chiaroscuro still lifes. I was so excited to show you all the beautiful royal purple color flowers growing all over our property, gathered up in my arrangement and my heart, speaking to us of our heavenly nobility. I couldn’t wait to show you when you got home from work. I wanted to remind you how good God is. My spirit longed to bless yours that morning.

I didn’t know as I delighted in our Creator and his abundant beauty, you were about to begin your ascent to paradise.

Today I fill the urn with the roses that carry a myriad of memories in their fragrance, your grapes yet to ripen, like the fruit of your life still affecting ours. I fill the rest with the vibrant abundance of Keys to Heaven. Tiny florets dive into your wine glass making promises to my heart, as I place each stem within the vines and roses.

Our first year married, you drove me up the winding road to your father’s hilltop village. The warm air blowing through the windows I remember so clearly the wonder of seeing flowers cascading out of the stone walls.

What is this place where even the rocks are inviting and comforting and providing a place of beauty? And you, my dear husband unveiled this gift of seeing beauty to me through your generous heart, your loyalty to family, your faithfulness to Christ and your true love for me.

When we returned to the states, I was amazed to see these magical flowers blooming in our neighborhood. I felt silly, because on the adventure, they had seemed to me a newly discovered species.

Keys to Heaven

Growing even through the rocks, pushing through wherever they are to share heavenly joy. Unlock my broken heart and pour in even just a drop of joy.

When you loved me in my brokenness, and treated me with such gentleness and respect, when you valued me and loved me in heart, body, soul and mind, you lifted the veil of despair from my life and everything became beautiful, everything a new discovery in your care.

My heart aches with all the beauty that is left unshared, your grandchildren’s laughter, your children’s smiles, family and friends sharing meals and conversation together, seasons and sunsets. And yet there isn’t a place where you aren’t there.

And the love of Christ was accomplished in my life, in our marriage, in our family and I’m forever grateful for you.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his only begotten Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” -1 John 4:7-12