How Many Lives Do You Touch?

Last night we were at our second Wake in less than a week. Our very dear friend that lost his son last week, lost his uncle this week. Imad and I knew his uncle, Imad knew him much better than I did though.

We paid our respects to the family and sat down to reflect and pray. As I sat in the pew I thought first about the guest book that we had signed. Would his children know who we were when they saw our name? Probably not...But what they would know, was that he touched our lives. That he meant something to us and that we had come to show our respect for him to them. Which then made me think how many lives do I touch? Some day I shall pass too. My Headstone would have my name, the date I was born and the date I died. In between those dates there will be a dash symbol. My birth and death are not nearly as important as my dash. That is my life and how I lived it. My beginning, middle and end.

Never take life for granted it is a true gift. Enjoy everyday you have doing something you enjoy. It doesn't have to be a major trip it could be something small. It could be a call to your mother to catch up, a trip to the mall or sitting at the lake for lunch. I used to say to my son "I Love You More Than Life", after we lost our daughter, it made me re-think that statement. I now say "I Love You as Much as Life!"
Live, Laugh and Love!!!

Live, Laugh, Love...A LOT!!!

My Family

First let me say I love them all so much! My family is my world,so saying that means things in my life can sometimes be complicated, exhausting, stressful and yet at the end of the day I wouldn't want anyone else to be my family!

I married the most amazing man anyone could wish for and I am so blessed to have him. He is the love of my life my soul mate. I have often spoke of the my mother and father in-law and the wonderful people they are. I will never be able to thank them enough for raising this amazing man I married. I will be forever indebted to them. They took me into their family and loved me like I was their daughter never making me feel anything less! I adore them :) Yesterday we made our usual Semi-monthly call to them. I was so excited to be calling as Ali was home and not working which would make their day because they would finally get to talk to him! Just to hear the kids voices brings both of them such joy. My mother in-law did get to talk to both Ali and Jasmine and it did brighten her day. However, when Imad asked to speak to his dad she had to tell us he cannot talk. He is very sick, there is a bad infection in his lungs that he is fighting. What made me the most worried was when i asked what was wrong she said, "he's tired, he tired"... That made me worry more than anything to know my father in-law the little pistol is to know he doesn't get tired! He is always on the go! In the past couple of years we have actually had to worry about him because he accepts no limits! He got stung by a scorpion while drying wheat on the roof of a house and he has fallen out of a tree TWICE picking olives! He doesn't get tired!!! I am very worried.....I pray he heals and we get to see him again sooner than later, my husband needs that! So for now we wait for information praying that we get much needed good news!

God Does Not Make Mistakes

On Friday of last week we went to a funeral. It was one of the hardest things I have done in a long time. Some very dear friends of ours were mourning the loss of their very sweet son. He was a beautiful young man that adored his family. He was born with Downs Syndrome but I don't think it was a handicapp in many ways. Obviously he was delayed in most areas of his life but the most important things in life he was ahead of most! Family, friends, doctors, nurses and classmates all were in attendance. It was a true testament to the life he lived and shared with everyone that came in touch with him. He brought out the best in everyone that knew him! He taught love and laughter :)



The Minister was giving the Eulogy and spoke of the handicapp that this young man was born with. He reminded us that God does not make mistakes! That we all have a mission on this earth. It made me think of our Briana. How perfect she was, there was absolutely nothing wrong with her. Listening to him reassured me that she was chosen. No mistakes happened the day she died. NONE!!! I believe God knew how much we loved her and that we were chosen to give our precious angel her wings.(I know mom it's a figure of speach she does not have wings, no angel does, lol!) Without the gift of life, body and spirit being united she could not be resurrected. She could not serve the Lord. I will forever miss her but I will be FOREVER Grateful to our Heavenly Father for loving me and trusting me with one of his special Angels!



In listening to him I also thought of my brother. I thought of the sweet heart he has and how much I love and miss him. It reminded me how things could be so much worse than they are right now. He is a good man that made some bad decisions. Everyone deserves forgivness. I will wait patiently for the day he is home. I pray that he has the strength to go the distance one step at a time. I know this is the beginning of a long journey with him and his family. I will walk with them one step at a time. My brother has made some mistakes along the way but he is not a mistake! GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES!!!

Jaber Family Update

It has been a roller coaster ride for the first half of 2010 and I am very happy to say things are settling down a bit.

Mr. Imu has found a job that he is very happy at. He feels at home and comfortable there while excited about new beginnings. I am not sure if I have ever seen him this relaxed about life. I think he feels more appreciated now in the short time he has been there than he did at his previous employer of 25yrs. Maybe he is the fresh new face they were looking for. All I can say for now it is a breath of fresh air to see my honey happy and excited to go to work! It is not a bad commute in fact I am a little jealous. He rides by the ocean on his way there and home everyday That itself would make me want to go to work! I see many new accomplishments in his future. He loves to set and achieve goals. I am proud of him and so happy for him!

Jassabella, She is finishing her Junior year! Oh my where has the time gone? I cannot believe we are looking into colleges and discussing all the things that go with that. She has grown and matured so much this past year. She is ready to be a Senior and all the fun that goes with it! I am so blessed to have her in my life. She makes me smile :)


Alooshi, proud to say he is plugging ahead. He is working and going to school. I believe his Major has been declared. Psychology, definitely his mothers son! I think he has chosen a good fit. I do believe it is a career choice he will enjoy! He as you all know is my pride and joy! What a beautiful person he is!


As for myself, I am happy! I am happy because they are all happy. We are in a good place now and I pray we are blessed to keep it this way for a long time! I can finally EXHALE! :)

Time to Celebrate!!!

It appears Imad's time at home is coming to an end. It is my pleasure to announce that the AMAZING Man I call Husband has accepted a position at a company that is actually in the state of Massachusetts's!:) Some of you may know that he was looking at a few other companies that were not even a little bit close to home and the kids were clear that neither of them planned on re-locating. With Ali in college and Jasmine only having one year left of High School it was a good possibility that we would live in different time zones. We have been Blessed that this position became available! Imad is thrilled and looking forward to this new opportunity. Ali and Jasmine are relieved that we will not have the hardship of being separated. Their dad is staying home here in Massachusetts! I proudly support him in his decision and again I am very excited to see where this journey is taking us.

Looking up and Forward

The mood in our home I must say is one of hope, faith and courage. Imad has many doors opening for him, which he deserves! He was very discouraged at the beginning of this new adventure in our lives and now he is holding his head high and moving forward. Our time together has been such a blessing :) I see his time at home coming to an end in the near future, thankfully! I look back and I am so grateful for everything that he had in his old position, but now the time has come to Look Up and Move Forward in Our New Journey. There is nothing we can't do!!!

Thinking of our Angel

I am not sure why but for atleast a month now I have been recollecting the birth of Briana Imad Jaber. How much I still miss her, and how blessed I feel to have known her for the short nine months that I selfishly wouldn't give to anyone else. I was able to feel her life and energy that no-one else knew. We gave her the middle name of Imad so she would take something of her daddy with her. I wanted him to have that attachment. The day we lost our sweet angel was the single worst day I think I have ever experienced. We are not supposed to bury our children and yet there I was a young mother planning my baby's funeral. The healing process started from that moment and still continues today. I think of her everyday, I love her more than words can express and yet I only knew her for the nine months I was so blessed to have been pregnant with her. I carried her and knew her for a lifetime her lifetime. Briana Imad Jaber was one of my greatest blessing's. She taught me more in her short little life time, she is my blessed angel. She taught me to live, love and laugh everyday. She taught me that there is something positive in everything even the lowest times in our lives have something positive. She made me be a better mother and wife. I feel privledged to be the mother of someone too perfect for this earth.

Briana would be looking forward to her 18th birthday on 6/20/2010. She would have been preparing for graduation anad college in the Fall. She looked just like her sister as a baby and I often wonder what she would look like today. Would she have cheered like her younger sister or maybe she would have been like her mom and been the athletic type involved in sports. Would she have been a mommy's girl too or would she have attached herself to her daddy? What would her favorite color be, or her favorite food?

What I do know is she was beautiful. She is an angel, my angel, our angel. Imad and I love her and miss her. Ali remembers all of the events from that time in our lives. He is an amazing older brother and son! Jasmine has been told everything we know to help her understand she was blessed to have an older sister. Jasmine and Ali have a fun, close relationship. They are best friends :) They make us laugh everyday and remind us how blessed we are to have each other! Families are forever, and I do believe we will be together again someday. Until then I live life, I enjoy life and I live for what I do have not for what I don't. I am grateful God blessed me to give birth to one of his sweet Angel's.