Lisa's Christmas, Page Two

In Loving Memory of
Lisa Elaine Mewbourne
September 23, 1965 - April 23, 1991

The picture above is copyrighted and used by permission only
by Samantha's Life and Times.

One of the last known photographs of Lisa,
taken in the fall of 1990 in the North Georgia mountains.
She seems to be looking upwards toward the angel who will come for her.

The Unending Symphony
By Bee Ewing
(Modified by Faye Martin)

The sun will surely rise again
And rivers will run to the sea.
The ocean waves will crest and roll,
The eagle will always fly free.
Just as certainly heaven awaits
For all those who believe.
While God in His infinite mercy
Sustains all those who grieve.
In the unending symphony of life,
You have played such a special part.
The song of your life will remain for all
Who have memories of you, Lisa, in their hearts.

Lisa's brother and mom, Faye and David Mewbourne
On vacation in Virginia Beach

Lisa's dad, Wayne, brother, David,
and grandfather Bob Mewbourne

Lisa's brother, David, his wife, Tara, and their first child, Abigail.

A small gift for Angel Lisa's family. May God bless and comfort you
this Christmas and always.
GEOFFREY P. EDWARDS

The three children and my husband and I were at the Mall one cold December day to see Santa. Lisa was two years and three months old, and just beginning to understand a little about Christmas. We had told her to tell Santa "Merry Christmas" when she saw him. But, Lisa had other ideas. She spied Santa and her eyes lit up like stars, and she smiled her biggest, happiest smile. She walked right up to him and stood looking way up at his face and yelled, "Ho Ho Ho, Hanna Sclaus!" (She couldn't quite say Santa Clause.) That moment became a treasure
and we never let her forget it.

When Lisa was little, one of her favorite Christmas songs was "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." For some reason, that song really tickled her. She learned the whole song
and her brother, sister, and I would sing it together. Sweet, sweet memories.

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Underneath the mistletoe last night.
She didn't see me creep
Down the stairs to have a peep;
She thought that I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep.
Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus
Underneath his beard so snowy white;
Oh, what a laugh it would have been
If Daddy had only seen
Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night.

A Dream of Lisa
(A mother's gift from God)

I begged God to tell me where my baby was. She died by her own hand and I desperately needed to know that she was in Heaven. God gave me a dream
that forever took away my fear:

In the dream, Lisa was at the driver's seat in her car. The car door was open and I saw her seated at the wheel. Lisa and the car were in very bright light, while I (standing behind the car) was in darkness. The car was inching very slowly away from me. I knew that it was impossible for me to be seeing her, yet I was! I thanked God for this miracle.

She was wearing a white dress with a full skirt. The bodice of the dress had a bright red geometric design around the neckline. The same design was repeated at the hem of the skirt. She wore white pumps and her hair was up in a French twist. The back of her head was perfect! I watched, knowing that I had no power to call her back, and knowing that she had to leave. All the while, I kept thanking God for letting me see her once again, and I wept.

I heard a deep, kind voice that said, "This is Lisa as she is now. She is no longer racing her car down the road and is no longer in danger of death. The white in her dress represents the fine white linen she now wears, and the red represents the blood that was shed by my son
as He died on the cross for her sins ... EVEN THE LAST!"

So, is suicide a sin? If it is, between the moment of death and the moment of rebirth in Heaven, that sin is forgiven. God knew the broken heart of this very precious girl
and He welcomed her home.

"Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." Rev. 19:8

These red and golden flames are reminescent of The Phoenix, the fabled bird in Greek mythology that rose transformed from the flames of its own death. It is a symbol of resurrection, immortality, and spiritual rebirth.

Combined with the cross, which represents the same things, it becomes especially significant. The sins of believers are forgiven because of their love of Jesus. And, we, their parents, are tempered by fire. Out of the ashes of our despair rises the fire of our hope. We can rise triumphantly from the ashes of our grief to find a new existence filled with hope
and meaning and love.
By Faye, Lisa's mom

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved
from God's wrath through Him!
Romans 5:8-10

Jesus loves children. He loved Lisa from the time she was born. At a youth assembly in Florida when she was sixteen, she pledged her life to him. Her new found faith shone like stars in her eyes. She read her Bible for hours every day; and for some reason, seemed to identify most with the book of Job. After her death, learning of some of her deep sorrows, I understood.

Lisa when she was about 5 years old, at Stone Mountain,
a park in Georgia.

Jesus, the Lion of Judah, and Lisa, his Little Lamb.

Denise on the left (Lisa's big sis) and Lisa on the right.

Our cats were always Seal Point Siamese. The one Lisa grew up with was "Chrissy," and the one she brought home herself was "Nickie." Nickie was her true love, and the one I kept after her death. He lived to be 17 years old, getting insulin injections twice a day. He was my baby, too. After he died we had him cremated and his ashes are buried beside Lisa. Right before he died I gave him a message to give to Lisa for me; and I told him to wait for me
at Rainbow Bridge.

Lisa, with her beloved dog, Hans.

We also had a white miniature Poodle named "Jacques," and a Beagle named "Spicer."
And Lisa had a chipmunk who was "Chee Chee Punch."

On the left, our Beagle, Spicer. He terrorized the neighbors' garbage cans!
And on the right, Lisa's Siamese cat, Nickie Her beloved friend.

Lisa, David, and Denise and their dog, Spicer. A Christmas portrait.

Lisa's much loved Poodle, Jacques, (or Jocko as we called him.)

Lisa found a cat to love everywhere she went!
This is at her Great Grandmother's house in Alabama.

Lisa and another cat that she found in St. Thomas.

Holidays In Heaven The Holiday Season is just not the same,
A smile is missing when saying one name.
For parents who�ve lost a daughter or son,
Nothing can bring back the delightful fun,
Of watching them talk, laugh, or just run.
The memories are all that we do have now,
We do go on�..only God knows how.
A New Year comes as midnight arrives,
Our Angels still a big part of our lives.
If only we could trade the presents we receive,
For one more day with those whom we grieve!
But nothing can bring back our beloved child,
The one that laughed, cried, and often smiled.
They are together in a much better place,
Watching us cry�..touching our face!
Although we miss them on Holidays to share,
Be assured their loving presence fills the air,
At home, in church, at New York�s Times Square!
So celebrating the Holidays are now hard to do,
But always remember they are thinking of you too,
Wishing you happiness and showing their love,
Not on this Earth, but from Heaven above!Written by Dan Bryl, Lawrenceville, GA TCF
In Memory of his daughter, Jessica

Santa knows the REAL reason for the season!

Lisa knew well the true meaning of Christmas. She celebrated it as the time of Christ's birth. She loved Christmas with all her heart, and she reveled in giving gifts to her loved ones. She spent a lot of time deciding on just the right thing to buy for each person; and with great joy, she would present her gift at Christmastime. She was always delighted with her own gifts, but she seemed more thrilled over seeing her family's reaction to what she had given them.

I hope there is a Santa in Heaven and that he visits Lisa every Christmas
to bring her gifts from her family on earth.
There is a Little Lamb with this Santa so that MUST be her!

Lisa used to leave sweet little notes on my pillow for me to find at night. Like the one above, many times the notes were scriptures that she copied out of her bible. Other times they were sweet notes from her to me. She was such a loving, compassionate daughter.

I found this note below from Lisa in her things. It is in her handwriting.

One life, Like a Song,
Strummed softly on the strings,
Makes music to the ears
of those who hear it sing.
~Karen Howard, TCF Miami, FL

Christmas In Heaven I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
with tiny lights like heaven's stars reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular please wipe away that tear
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
but the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you of the joy their voices bring
for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I can't tell you of the splendor or the peace here in this place
Can you just imagine Christmas with our Savior face to face?

I'll ask him to lift your spirit as I tell him of your love
so then pray for one another as you lift your eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful and let your spirit sing
for I am spending Christmas in heaven and I'm walking with the King. Wanda Bencke, "copyright 1998"
published by permission