I once heard a sermon years ago where the Pastor, a dear friend of mine, talked about our life on earth. He said that our lives here were a dot on a continuous line. I remember thinking, a dot, that’s it, that’s all we have. At that moment my hope was in my life on earth and not in eternity. Over the years I have come to realize the importance of this sermon and have found solace in the fact that our lives on earth are indeed a dot.
Since October 20th I’ve thought more about those words and what it means to me. I have also witnessed many people whose ability to understand what happened to my girls is caught up in the fact that their hope is of this world and not eternal. I can understand that if you only live for your life here on earth that my girls have then just vanished.
Taken from this world to soon. Gone. Never to be seen again.
I would assume also that the emptiness that you would feel from this tragedy would be extremely intense and hopeless. You may feel regret of all that you did not do or say and wonder how you will ever make it through another day knowing you will not EVER see, hear or feel them again.
My hope is not of this world. My hope is eternal. My girls did not vanish they simply relocated to Heaven, to soon I will add, but that is where they are. They are in eternity and someday I will be there too. This brings a smile my face in a time I should not be smiling.
My grief is mine and I walk with it every single minute of every day for the rest of my days here on earth.
This walk is hard, taking my breath away at times.
I will say though, my grief is comforted by the hope that exist in eternity. I know that one day I will yell my girls names and they will come running to me in Heaven. I will see them, hear them and feel them again. That day will be so amazing.
I know, without any doubt in my mind, this to be true.
For now though, while I am living in the dot, I will remain grateful to God for his grace, I will share his love with others and I will live a life that will honor Anna and Abigail and make them proud.
My hope is eternal and one day we will be together again!
Dieter Family Vacation in Traverse City Michigan 2012
Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ~ Romans 5:2-5
love-drenched-life.com 
Hebrews 12:1 says “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witness..” When I read your post today, I pictured those witness in a great arena, rising to their feet and cheering as they watch you run this very difficult race with grace, endurance and power. Yes, you will see your girls again and their voices will join with our heavenly Father to say to you “well done, good and faithful servant”.
Love to you dear one,
Lori
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That is a very memorable sermon. I remember it too, and have thought about it frequently over the years. I’m living for the line. I want my life in the dot to boast about God and His mercy, grace, love, and Life!! Thank you for being an “arrow”; pointing us in the right direction. Love.
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This is beautiful and your words are stunning. I stop and let it sink in. I feel the Holy Spirit in your words and through your perspective on loss. Perhaps maybe, this is your blessing in the midst of great grief. You have an incredible ability to draw close to God, take refuge in Him and express how comforting it is to know that this “dot” is nothing compared to our eternal home with our loving creator. Thank you for the reminder that our life eternal will be awesome, without end and without suffering. I can see your girls smiling every day, being so proud of their mama.
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I couldn’t agree with you more….thank God for the “eternal”!!! Praise God’s holy name♥
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Your faith has strengthened my faith. Our friends Lori & John Hobb’s faith also strengthened my faith. John fought cancer in 2013, and Lori updated Caring Bridge almost daily. And no matter the horrendous treatment John endured, he and Lori always quoted a Bible verse about how God has blessed them and how much he loved them. John died in December.
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Great blog Susan! Thank you.
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There are a few people in my life who I feel were “placed” in my life to impart or share their amazing wisdom on/with me. You are one of those people, Susan! I am so grateful to be able to read your blog everyday. Thank you for letting us “in” and sharing with us.
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Love you friend! Thank you, as always, for sharing yourself and your girls! Looking forward to our visit here in “the dot” soon! xoxo
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Susan, last night in one of my dreams, I was having a conversation with you and Tom where I remarked that I’d been thinking that Heaven was a better place, now that your two little angels were in residence there.
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