This is my Jamie candle. I light it in her memory whenever our family gets together for a holiday or a birthday or a special occasion. It is a cheap pink candle, one she would have picked out herself. If she could see it today, I know she would give me a thumb’s up and say, “It’s just right, Mom!” It reminds me so much of her.
Jamie was the seven year old who found loose change on the ground at Disney World and then spent the rest of the week looking down for more money. “Jamie, look up! Disney World is out here!” I said as I extended my arms all around. “You’re missing it!”
To say Jamie was economical with her money is an understatement. She was the teenager who was given money to go shopping, and she would bring most of it back to save for another day.
When it involved money, Jamie was practical. She was also thrifty, frugal, a tightwad, prudent, cautious, careful, sensible, pennywise, penny-pinching, and cheap. She could always live on less, which was a good thing, considering God called her to live among some of the poorest people on earth. However, with the things that mattered most in life such as love, time, friendship, and encouragement, she was overly generous.
Jamie’s favorite color all her life was pink. She chose light pink for her bridesmaids’ dresses much to the dismay of her sister, Janet, who has never liked the color pink. To make matters worse, Janet was six months pregnant at the time. “Mom, I look like an overgrown bottle of Pepto-Bismol!” She proved to the world that day her great love for her sister!
Jamie lives in heaven now, but her light still burns brightly in my heart. I take her with me every day as I move forward in life. Memories and the ability to choose are two of God’s gifts to us, and I choose to remember the beautiful memories I have of Jamie—her smile and laughter; the fun, crazy, and proud moments, her hugs, and so much more.
Jesus said of himself in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world.” When I look at my Jamie candle, I am reminded that the Lord is my light in this dark world. “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). The first memory verse Jamie learned as a four year old was Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (KJV).
Perhaps you are missing someone this Christmas. Do you have a candle that reminds you of your loved one as well as the One for whom we celebrate Christmas? On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve (Jamie’s birthday), this cheap pink candle will burn brightly and remind us of Jesus and Jamie, and I will smile. Merry Christmas everyone!