To my little
cowgirl.......
cowgirl.......
About a year after Cori's death, I wrote this about the picture
that will forever remind us of her.......
The Perfect Shot
Anyone who has been to Western Washington State in the springtime knows the place to go is the
Tulip Festival. Every year from late March into April, the Skagit Valley is alive with color. Waves of
reds, yellows, and oranges as far as the eye can see, tulips and daffodils of every variety in full bloom.
It is truly an awesome display of God’s work.
Easter 2003 was our first visit to the festival, and we looked forward to dressing up our little girl,
Cori Joy in her Easter dress and taking her to see the “pretties,” as we like to call them. Even though
Cori couldn’t speak and tell us verbally, the way her face would light up when she saw the things
she loved told us volumes more than mere words ever could. This applied not only to the pretties,
but also to cows, bubbles, and even Spongebob.
This day however, there would be no smiles. The mitochondrial disorder that had hold of her little
body could sap what little strength and energy she had, leaving her weary and worn-out. She would
have good days and bad days, and that Easter Day was a bad one. Despite our attempts to get her to
smile and look at her pretties, it was just too much for her, and we ended up cutting the day short.
On the way home we had decided to stop for lunch. My wife was bound and determined to get at
least one picture of her in her Easter dress, so she took the camera inside with her. After several
attempts of a good shot, she was just about to give up, when it struck her to try just one more.
Daddy made one of his goofy faces, and for an instant, her face brightened. My wife clicked the
camera at just the right moment, and told me that she just knew. She had gotten the perfect shot.
In November 2003, in what seemed like light years away from that sunny day in April, the Lord
called our little girl home. No more would we get to see that shining face, the big dimples and
sparkling blue eyes. No more smiles that could light up a room and melt the heart of anyone lucky
enough to earn a one from her, which incidentally, was everyone she met. No more going home at
the end of a rotten day, seeing her beam when I walk in the door, and instantly forgetting all my
troubles. Gone.
But there is one thing…
You see, our God is the perfect planner. He knows the ending from the beginning. Months and
months before that, He gave us the one thing to hold on to…the Perfect Shot.
That one perfect shot is the essence of who Cori Joy was here with us, and who she continues to be
in Heaven. It is what I have to remind me of the good days with her, and one day, when I draw my
last breath here on Earth, and Jesus receives me into His kingdom, I’ll be with Cori again and I’ll get
to have the Perfect Shot through all eternity.
by Steve Berndtson
This is a song that Stacy had found and had changed the lyrics around a little and had them printed
in Broken Hearts Living Hope, and monthly newsletter for grieving parents.
in Broken Hearts Living Hope, and monthly newsletter for grieving parents.
| Goodbye for Now Goodbye for now, Cori Joy, Daddy's little girl I love you more than words can tell, You've given me such joy. You've taught me more than you will ever know, To laugh, to love, to live, And even when you were in need the most, You still reached out to give. Someday we will be Together for eternity. We'll run and dance on streets of gold, Take walks along the sea... Goodbye for now, my little friend, Daddy's pride and joy... Your memory will live forever in my heart Until I reach that shore, where someday... Someday we will be Together for eternity. We'll run and dance on streets of gold, Take walks along the sea... So goodbye for now, Cori Joy, Daddy's little girl... I love you more than words can tell, You've given me such joy... You've given me such joy. For the best daddy a little girl could ever have. She loved you unconditionally. Thank you for everything you did for her and our family. We WILL see her again one day! Happy Father’s Day and Happy Birthday! |
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