Quite A Shock

I'm Still Processing It

Even though it’s probably hard for most people to believe, we had not spread Morgan’s ashes until this past Saturday, March 14th, which would have been her 28th birthday. It’s been over three years since she passed, but the delay has been mostly logistical, finding time that worked for all who would want to be at Gulf Shores, AL to help do it.

We picked Gulf Shores because it is a beautiful location that she loved. The beach was her favorite landscape setting, and Gulf Shores in particular was a place she had great success in her sport of beach volleyball as a high schooler. We had very fun times there! We could think of no better place.

We rented a place in Foley, AL that fit our needs perfectly. It was nice to arrive after a 6 hour drive, 15 minutes sooner than getting all the way to Gulf Shores, and then leave with a 15 minute head start as well.

Besides the spreading of Morgan’s ashes, another purpose to the trip was for my husband to enjoy himself as much as possible. The outcome of his Whipple surgery was not what we had looked forward to. He has started chemo again and at this point, he could have a while, or not much time at all. It truly is in God’s hands. Hubby had it in his mind that he wanted his sister to see Pensacola, FL on Saturday morning. The weather was perfect, so we took off, knowing we had plenty of time to take care of Morgan in Gulf Shores in the afternoon.

We crossed the bridge/causeway into Pensacola Beach and were “lucky” to find a spot in the first complex we turned into. We headed through the parking lot to the beach access and enjoyed our walk on the beach a lot! We also had our dog, KK, with us, and she got to be on the beach for her first time. We didn’t get to see her frolic in the waves too much though because she kept drinking the salt water!

We headed back to our truck the same way we’d gone in, and this time noticed the thing that is so shocking! There, painted on the side of a building, larger than life, was a picture of Morgan’s face! I did not take a picture of the whole mural, but zoomed in to get her. Look at this!!!

I have no idea how the painters found a picture of her (online?) and liked her look? The sunglasses in the mural were photoshopped in, if so, because as you’ll see, she always wore much bigger ones. The hair, forehead, teeth, everything is Morgan.

I still cannot believe it. I mean, God! Truly ALL GOD. What a gift we were given to see her larger than life, on her birthday, the day we are spreading her ashes! Do you know how many places we could have parked and entered the beach? Do you know we could have not “looked up” and been observant on our way back to the truck? Can you see that God orchestrates all for our good and we get so many gifts, but some are literally extraordinary?

Here are a few pictures of Morgan for you to see for yourselves.

My hope is to be able to find out who painted the mural. I don’t want it to seem like I would sue or anything like that. I just want/need to know how it came to be. If anybody has good investigative skills in this department, feel free to comment/help!

KK, the dog, was left in Foley and off we went to Gulf Shores for the afternoon. She is now in three distinct places, one of which is also pretty coincidental, not knowing there was a city nearby…Fort Morgan!

Many of you know the Great Blue Heron has also signified her presence to me. Our place in Foley had a picture on the walls both in the living room and over the master bed. The morning we left, I took KK for a walk, and got to see the real thing as well!

None of us know what the future holds. What we feel is normal life can be taken away in an instant, never to return. There is, however, a lot of beautiful things that come in and from suffering. It actually only makes logical sense. When everything goes right/our way, we feel like we’ve done things right and have earned our spot of favor. God must be so happy with us because he has answered our prayers for health and happiness, never making us feel like we’ve hit the pit of hell. But when you do hit the pit of hell, you find His presence in a way you cannot when things go well. I’m saying this to let you all know, “Do Not Fear” (suffering) (death) because even though it hurts and it is NOT EASY, the test of faith brings you closer to God, a feeling/connection you just cannot have any other way. And there He will be, to give you larger than life surprises!