My twenty-two year old niece Montgomery passed away last week. So sudden. So unexpected. When I heard the news, I could not comprehend it. “Montgomery?” I said to my husband as he sat in a crumpled heap on the very spot of sidewalk where he was once standing when he received the call. He could only nod his head “yes” through the tears and cries of pain that had overtaken his body.
My mind began to race. “How can this be? She’s too young! What happened? Maybe I didn’t hear that right…” I thought back to that early morning phone call we had received years ago announcing her safe arrival into the world. Her daddy’s voice was bursting with pride as we were jolted out of our sleep. Now we were being jolted once again.
I wandered through the next hours and days in a bewildered state of shock. We learned that Montgomery had a congenital heart defect that had gone undetected. Her young heart had simply given out that morning. Most people who are born with this issue often do not live past their first birthday. How fortunate and blessed we were to have her for as long as we did.
Memories flooded my mind as the tears flooded my eyes. We had shared so much together. Laughing, playing, singing silly songs, talking about life, lots of hugs, and all of those precious times we spent praying together. I began to wonder…Did she know how much I really loved her? Did she know how proud I was of her? I sure hope that she did.
As we entered the church on Saturday for her Celebration of Life service, we were given a leaflet that included some pictures and basic information about her life. Also included were some words that Montgomery had written in her journal. She had written out her personal vision, a contract that outlined how she wanted to live her life. Here are her words:
I promise…
to go into every situation with an open heart and mind
to mean what I say and say what I mean
to learn to calmly stand up for myself
to be grateful everyday of all of the miracles in my life
to give light and love in everything I do
to meditate everyday
to put myself in other people’s shoes once in a while
to laugh everyday so I don’t forget how
to smile at myself in the mirror and love myself
to not forget where I have been
to know how I got to where I am now
to hold my ground when I truly think something isn’t right
to realize when I am wrong and to apologize sincerely
to learn something new everyday
to use my creative mind so it doesn’t go to waste
to know when I can help someone else
to remember why I don’t want to live the way I used to
to love my changes
to give good vibes to the world
to live and love simply
to eventually change the world
to love my life
What a tremendous gift those words are to me and all who would read them! She set out to live her life with vision and purpose, resolved to be the best possible version of herself she could be. As we honor her memory, I pray that we all will approach each new day we are given with intention, passionately pursuing the purpose that God has placed within each of us.
Montgomery’s light continues to shine through her darling little daughter and her impact will be felt for years to come. She said that she wanted “to eventually change the world.” She already did.
That was beautiful Laurel! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Laurel, I love your Blog! I had no idea. We have never met, but you are so full of love, wisdom and I love how you can eloquently share these ideas and love with the rest of us spiritually empty folks. :0). Thank you so much for your gift of writing and sharing this beautiful tribute of Montgomery. She was one of those special people who had a profound impact on the earth. She was on a path to redeem herself and created relationships to last a lifetime. I love your "31 days of letting go"…
Thanks again. You are a blessing.
Wow- thanks so much for reading!