Goodbye is so hard

I knew it would be hard, and I knew I would probably cry. I think back to the first time I picked up my niece, Cortney, it seems like a lifetime ago. It would be the first of many visits over the years. Some visits were short others were extended. I have become close to her over the years.

After we moved to Virginia, it seemed like we would never get to see her like before. Just a brief hello good-bye was all we did for the next 2 and a half years. That is until I found out I was pregnant and we were having a girl. We decided to give Cassia Cortney's middle name. That made Cortney so excited and she wanted to be here for the birth. So we arranged it and she was with us for our families special time.

It was so nice to have her with us. The time went way too fast. We love that child as we do our own. My heart is aching  because she had to go. She is a beautiful young lady now. I am so proud of her. I hope that some way we get to spend time with her in the Fall.

Her and Samuel seem to have bonded while she was here. They would stay up every night talking. During the day they wrestled and acted like brother and sister. This morning they hugged and I heard them tell each other they loved one another.  Heart breaking for sure! Samuel has retreated into his room. I know he didn't want her to go either.

Jasper has went with her back to Georgia. I didn't have the heart to send her off alone with Jasper's parents. He agreed and went and will be taking her to the church in the town she lives in so she won't feel as awkward.

Cortney accepted Christ into her heart and the Lord filled her with His spirit. I saw the change take place. It was precious. We have always encouraged her to seek the Lord, but this time she did it on her own, we never said a word to her. It was such a joy to see her in the altars.

I love you Cortney!!!!!