Sandy Lyle Rakestraw

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"Everyone has their own path. Walk yours with integrity and wish all others peace on their journey. When your paths merge, rejoice for their presence in your life. When the paths are separated, return to the wholeness of yourself, give thanks for the footprints left on your soul, and embrace the time to journey on your own."

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Sandy's INTRODUCTION •

In the spring of 2010, I became interested in finding out more about my father's family. My g-g-g-g grandfather, John P Lyle, settled in Paulding Co, Georgia, sometime before 1840. It is thought that he received land in the 1832 land lottery of the Cherokee lands. After working on the memorials of my immediate LYLE family members, I started looking for the graves in my extended families. I spend the majority of my time in Paulding County and the counties that surround Paulding. I have found this to be a very rewarding way to fill in some of those extra hours I have as a retiree.

I also want to acknowledge and give credit to my late brother, Thomas Edward 'CC' Lyle, and to my 1st cousin once removed, Dianne Jean 'Dolly' Eberhardt. I thank them for allowing me to use their genealogy research information in several of my FAG memorials.

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"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

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"Death can never take away our happy memories or empty the love from our hearts. In this way, love triumphs over death every time." ♡♡♡

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"Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside you while you're still alive."

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A LOVE THAT IS FOREVER •

We started with young love,

Amazed at how far that went.

I valued the time we had,

The good and bad moments spent.

Weathered through the storms,

Beat all kinds of odds.

I promise to keep your love with me,

Even when your spirit sits with God.

I love you forever,

A promise we both made.

Now that you're gone and I'm here,

I'll keep your love for the rest of my days.

Forever is forever,

Even if I'm here alone.

Your love reigns in my heart,

Even though you're really gone.

I love you.

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"Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a teardrop." - Anonymous

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TEARS ON MY PILLOW •

Tears on my pillow,

I can't count how many I've cried.

I feel so awfully hollow,

Almost like it's me that died.

How long will I feel so empty,

Will this heartache ever end?

How long will I have to wait,

Until we meet in Heaven, my friend?

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I THOUGHT WE HAD MORE TIME •

I thought we had more time,

But I know now I was wrong.

If I could see you one more time,

See your much-loved face.

If only I could tell you thanks

And feel your sweet embrace.

I can say I love you in my heart,

But it's just not the same.

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"THE CLOCK OF LIFE" •

The clock of life is wound but once.

And no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop.

On what day - or what hour.

Now is the only time you have. So live it with a will.

Don't wait until tomorrow. The hands may then be still.

Author - Unknown.

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Remembering Lost Love •

Memories continue the bonds we shared with someone we loved and lost.

A continuing bond can trap some people in past experiences with former romantic interests or with loved ones who have died.

We may become lost if the love we once held becomes a distant memory. The awareness that someone is missing outside of our being is difficult to reconcile with their presence within us, especially if their presence and the specialness of a relationship with them contributed to our identity. When we are lost in response to a loss, we may not know which way to go, where to turn, or what to do.

Relationships that end are painful, but our memories do not let us forget those who impacted our lives. When actual death ends the boundary of someone's life, it does not end a relationship. There is a healthy aspect to maintaining a bond with the deceased, and the severing of bonds may not be necessary. Continued bonds can offer comfort, safety, and support, both during the time of transition and afterward. If we can use our memories to restore a lost connection, then imagining the person is still here with us in some way can be a pillar of support and a source of comfort.

An ongoing internal relationship to the image of the deceased is an important aspect of mourning and a normal part of healthy adaptation. Calling up memories of someone as a source of hope or protection can create a sense of stability, a feeling that they are still here with us. An ongoing inner relationship with a lost loved one may represent our best efforts. Thus, through our memories, we tend to hang on when love is lost.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/intense-emotions-and-strong-feelings/202205/remembering-lost-love

(This post is excerpted in part from the book, Grief Isn't Something to Get Over: Finding a Home for Memories and Emotions After Losing a Loved One.)

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December 25, 2021 Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Address •

"Although it's a time of great happiness and good cheer for many, Christmas can be hard for those who have lost loved ones," she said.

"This year, especially, I understand why."

~~~❁Prince Philip died Apr 9, 2021❁~~~

~~~❁Queen Elizabeth died Sep 8, 2022❁~~~

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