Ridgell's Originals

 So our daughter, Julie Cope, turns 46 toomorrow.  We are spending it together with the whole family at the beach.  That is her happy place.  So, as is my custom, here are a few reasons I love Jules, celebrate her, and am proud of her.

She is a nurse hero.  She was working at a hospital during the Pandemic.  Long hours.  Not enough protection.  Having to spend time in the ICU ward because it was so overwhelming.  She is tough.

But right now, she is a hospice nurse.  It is emotional, tiring, and has long hours.  But she has the heart for it.  Gentle, kind, patient with people that often are nearing the end.  Ends up praying with lots of her patients.

She has a family.  Happy marriage, good kids.  Some of that was a long time coming, but God has blessed her.  And she is a great JuJu to Tim's grands.  And they are her grands too.  

She's good to her people.  Checks on us.  Calls it just visiting with Mimi, but I suspect she is working up to "better check on the old folks."  But here is the thing, she will take care of us someday when we need help.  We know that. And it is comforting.

Loves her extended family. Her brother Joe Don's family.  Aunts and cousins and friends that are like family.

Julie had a lot of hard things done to her in the past.  But she overcame them.  Now to be clear, she is not perfect.  She has made her share of poor choices.  But she didn't stay there.  

Overcomer.

It takes great strength and faith.

And that may be her greatest witness and testimony.

Just ask her.

So God, thanks for our Jules.  For her love for You, and for her family, and for people in trouble.  bless her marriage and her kids.  Use her for good.  Thanks for making her into who she is.  

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM