Fragments of a Stained Glass Window A broken box of glass I found lies on a shelf in my house, a shattered memory that I'm unable to throw out, it sits in an old shoe box from a pair of trainers I bought 10 years ago, sometimes I open it and look at all the pieces. I wonder what it used to be, where it was from and how it came to be broken. I imagine it was a stained glass window standing tall in a church, the light illuminating through it with a sea of colours and I stare up from the pew at the picture, scarcely able to hold my gaze under its brightness. Squinting, the picture appears unclear but it seems familiar to me me, as if its something I have seen before but every time the memory comes to me it fades like a mirage, like that moment between when you're half awake and half asleep, still connected to your dreams and believing you can fly. I stare at the shards of glass in a box with that same feeling of connection, I see the shattered myriad of colour and its like a puzzle that I've solved before, like I can sense what it should be but the front cover of the box has been lost, and there's no edges, and all the pieces are the same shape. I search for the colours in the box and lay them down together, each one speaks a different story to me. The deep red pieces of glass that swirl before me as if a Pinot Noir has forever been trapped within the glass that once held it, unable to break free so that its goodness can once again be tasted. The green glass seems to sway in the breeze the same way grass blows in the wind and I feel the cold chill of the blue as it cuts through like wind blowing along the touchline of football pitches as the supporters grip their gloves tightly and bury their noses into the top of their jackets. The black glass consumes the light like a darkness and as I gaze its nothingness I can hear the light waves bouncing from side to side on the glass, ringing out like keys on a piano. Just as the sirens call the fisherman to the rocks so I too find my hands reaching out to grasp the glass and hold onto the memory it holds and as my fingers touch its surface my head tells me it should be cold but I feel its warmth radiate through my body like the sun poking through the clouds on an autumn day or the touch of a loved ones hand, and in that moment I grip onto the feeling tightly and my hand clenches but as it grips round the sharp fragments I feel the pain course through my fingers, the pieces cut through my imagination and I'm brought back into my room, staring at that dusty box of glass in the corner, as the stain glass window flickers away in my mind.

Dear Andrew, I'm very sorry to read of the tragic loss of your beautiful, beloved wife Jacqui, and although I don't know you; I want to offer my deepest sympathy to you and your family. I hope these verses will bring you some additional comfort. Acts 24:15 promises, "that there is going to be a resurrection." Many unexpected losses are due to what the Bible calls, "time and unexpected events (Or “unforeseen occurrence) overtake them all.." - Ecclesiastes 9:11b Our loving God doesn’t cause sad things to happen to our loved ones, as James 1:13 helps us to understand, ‘When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.’ For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone.’” 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 speaks of God as “the God of all comfort who comforts (Or “encourages.”) us in all our trials ("Or tribulation.”) " 1 Peter 5:7 lets us know that we can “throw all our anxiety (Or “cares; worries.”) upon (God), because he cares.” Isaiah 65:17b tells us that "the former things will not be called to mind, (or, be remembered) nor will they come up into the heart.” - Thus the heartbreak that we experience now, won’t even be remembered after Jehovah God resurrects our loved ones; thereby undoing the sad effects of death and the pain being separated from them brings. While on earth, Jesus resurrected his friend Lazarus back to life, speaking of his death as being 'sleep' and saying he was going to 'awaken' him. - John 11:11-14, "After he said these things, he added: “Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep, but I am traveling there to awaken him.” The disciples then said to him: “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will get well.” Jesus, however, had spoken about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly: “Lazarus has died." Jesus then raised him back to life again. - John 11:23, 25, 38-45. Jesus also resurrected a young man, the only son of a widow, and a 12 yr. old girl; and so we know that he has the power to resurrect our loved ones too in the future when the time comes for the resurrection! - (Luke 7:11-17; Luke 8:40-56) Revelation 21:4 tells of the time when no one will ever die again; thus no more mourning or sadness, "And (God) will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” And no sickness of any kind as Isaiah 33:24 promises, “no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” Then just imagine the joy when loved ones are resurrected and Psalms 37:10, 11, 29 gives us insight into the condition that will be experienced by those living on the earth then; "Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more; You will look at where they were, and they will not be there. But the meek will possess the earth, and they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it." - It will be a paradise where we can have the opportunity to live together forever in perfect peace, health, and happiness with our loved ones! Jesus gave us hope of a time when all suffering will end. He taught his followers to pray: “ “You must pray, then, this way: “‘Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified. (Or “be held sacred; be treated as holy.”) Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth- Matthew 6:9, 10 - When God’s Kingdom comes, there will be no more suffering or death on the earth, just as there is no suffering or death in heaven! Take care, and I hope that your memories are helping to comfort you, perhaps by looking at pictures, and I hope these and other verses help too. Romans 15:4 tells us, "For all the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope." To read more of the Bible's beautiful promises please go to www.jw.org Sincerely Yours, Cindy Boyer

I used to care for Jacqui and I thought she was amazing, so determind and she had a great sense of humour! My thoughts are always with you and your family. Holly x