The  Tapestry of Heaven

As I look upon the heavens I am beholden to God’s fascinating creation, I observe with amazement the vast seemingly endless beauty. The stars sparklingly light radiating blissfully like dazzling diamonds and pearls glittering brightly. I gaze with wonder at the never ending backdrop of this seemingly moving garment of brilliance with decorative precious stones cast about. A musical cadence not comprehended reflecting vibrations of orchestrated beauty dancing across the celestial landscape. We too are captured and spun together into this grand magnificent and splendid tapestry. A coat of many colors, a majestic garment, the Tapestry of Heaven. 

By Rick Carson

Well,

Seven years later and STILL with tear-filled eyes and a joyous heart I look at these pictures and writings.  In today's vernacular Tink was "Everything".  And now, Uncle George gets to enjoy "Everything" once again.  :-).  We so miss her.  But just as Ricky put it.  "She was here long Enough."  Moral of the story seems so cliche, however, we don't know how long we have to learn from, love on, and enjoy our loved ones.  So if you have them, cherish them and get all that God has for you FROM them.

To the Carson Kids....  :-)  Tink was special to so many but she was only YOUR mother and although others think of her often and on special occasions,  I know that you carry her in your heart everyday.  :-) And on THIS day my heart and prayers are with you.

Love you Guys,

Valerie

Today I paused, stopped all the usual routine and reminded myself of what really matters. That is caring and loving those who are closest to you. An example you always showed us.

Miss ya Tink

You left us with invaluable memories that can’t be matched with no other, I think about the lifetime you weaved and set for us, you done your damm best to make sure we we’re ok, inspite of the things life threw at you. You trumped it despite of, and without shame or a willingness to not give up., you stayed together.  Thank-you! This was a priceless gift  you may not had ever realized, wrapped, bowed and tied up just for us to take and carry  with us our lifetime. Thanks Dad and Mom. I miss you both. What a journey together. Love you,  I’m grateful. Forever Missed....Pray to God I see you again when my journey is done.

Rick

Your Time with us was enough. Enough to teach us all we ever needed to be strong, loving and greatful. Not a life of self-centernist, as though the world should revolve around us, but a life that serve others, the unconditional love of Christ .

Thanks Mom, for giving it your all. Can’t wait to see you on the other side of glory!

I think back at how things used to be. How we did the holidays, how we treated each other as a family. Your were the foundation of our family. You shielded us from the things you didn't want us to worry about or see that would make us sad or anything bad. Our family is different now. No one is the same, the love is very different. Our get togethers don't seem to matter like they did. Our conversations are short, our holidays are separate. Who you think people are, you find out that they are not. I know it was time for you to go, because some of us could not grow. Some of us hold on to the past and some of us don't look back. Everybody have taken a piece of you and apply it to there lives very differently. I ask my self very often, who are we as a family?, as a person? As a sibling? As a parent? As a spouse? Would you be proud of any of it? I don't know about everybody else but I know and I learned and listened. I can't make everyone see what I see or remember what I remember. I can't make anyone stay close or call one another or do Christmas together. I can only do what you showed me to do. I can put your love that you gave me and give it to my kids and future grand kids and not worry about the rest. I know what you gave me. But I hate and love that life is so different.     Until we meet again......... Your Nakia 

Hello Tinkey,

I just wanted to stop by and share a photo of Tiana. Oh how you would have enjoyed her! Rest assured that your spirit lives on through her. I call her "little Tink" sometimes, she is wise beyond her years! :) Love and miss you....Tina

Missing you Today.

Now are we the children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

What a Beautiful Thought!

My first responsiblity is to be a Christian, to serve in the capacity wherewithal he calls me to serve according to the measure of faith that has been given me. To live is to serve, whether as a spouse, a good father, a listener, a friend, counselor or just to comfort, or to just walk along side. To sow into one’s life his true gift is ministry, unbridled by religion, a political view or even selfish ambition. It is Christ who truly ministers and as we offer ourselves as tuned and crafted instruments so th his life will continuously flow through us.

A life that is filled with abundance!!!

Rick

God and His Angels called you away. 
I know the Angels must have rejoiced as you walked through those Pearly Gates that day! When they said you were going to die, I refused to believe it could be true. How could I allow myself to even imagine saying goodbye to you. 
You were an angel here on earth. I learned so much from you. You were so gentle and so kind. Your words would always see me  through. You gave your all to God and your family, never once stopping to think about you.
I miss our special talks. I can never say goodbye to you, because I could never bear the pain. Instead I say I Love you Tink Until we meet again.
 

Tink,

My Dear Loving Mother:  I prayed everyday of my life for God to Bless you and then one day you were gone.
 
I didn't know what to pray for because I missed you so much then God touched my heart and said you can still pray for her and bless her to know.

Now, I wake every morning and pray that God Blesses you to know that you will be Loved and missed today. So now I carry you in my heart everyday so you feel all the Love that I have for you each day.

I Love You,

Janie   

     

"Miss You"

The undaunted brilliance of his Glory, it radiates in the beauty of a blooming flower, the perpetual brightness of the sun, the enormous strength of many waters and in the simplicity and innocence of a child. We see it in the stretching cerulean sky and in the quiet wind blowing through summer trees. We discover it gleaming in his profound wisdom hidden in obscurity amongst the simple things. What an un-daunting brilliance! Yet it is just a small glimmer of his glory. We see it in each of us on our good days, and even in our difficult ones! A mighty working of his creation showing itself, admonishing brut fully and demonstrating his love and kindness always!

miss you,

love Rick.

Great Faith does what believing doesn't always do, when believing doesn't bring the desired results every time, “we still yet believe”.  This is what I think true faith is.  And when we don’t always receive the desired answer we so earnestly hope for, we are answered with something even greater waiting for us to receive.

 I found that all of my requests weren't answered because of all the great things I believed God could do. They were answered with the challenge to keep on believing when just "knowing he is able."  Even when the “why and the “how come” aren't satisfied by our sketchy learned theology.  It is our “Faith” that matters…

"For there are these three things that endure: Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love."

Thinking about you..
rick

Missing Tink alot. 

Yesterday was my birthday and the summer just seems so significant to her being around.  She would always take me in the backroom and give me SOMETHING for my birthday.  :-)  Sometimes, it was a book, sometimes it was a trinket, sometimes it was a bookMARK but  whatever it was, it always ended with a hug and an "I Love You".  :-) I miss her in the backyard doing things with the kids that most 70+ y/o would NOT be doing.  lol.  DARE you tell her to sit down.  :-)

So Thank you to all my Carson brothers and sisters who sent text and celebrated with me.  It meant alot, since Tink could not physically say HB.

LOVE YALL SOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

When I read this to Janie...I said "I felt everyone but Madyson"  Janie said to me without hesitation:  "I see her in Madyson's innocence"

:-)  I think Tink has left a part of herself in ALL of us for ALL of us to see.  

Thank you Aunt Tinkey.

As I was on my morning walk on Satuday August 27th, 2011, at about 8:01am, I received a phone call . The voice on the other end was my mother saying meet us at the hospital, there is news about Aunt Tinkey.  As I headed home to leave for the hospital, this was what I saw and I snapped the picture.

Never has one individual's mere presence had such a profound affect on my life. 

As time goes on I see Tink:

I see Tink in Janie's Godliness
I see Tink in the lonliness in Karen's eyes
I see Tink in the shadows of little mans steps
I see Tink in the inspiriation of Ricky's writings
I see Tink in the determination in Ray's heart
I see Tink in the spirit of TJ's excitement
I see Tink in the motivation of India
I see Tink Hovering over Nakia's life
I see Tink in the longing of my mothers soul
I see Tink intertwined in all of our family's trials
I see Tink in Uncle Georges's very existence

I see Tink every day and the more I see her the more I miss her.

I can't wait until I see her again.

Purpose and Truth

I came upon an unsettling brook, breached of its quietness and peaceful serenity.  Its overwhelming embankment discarded washing away sediments and small stony residue.  As the winds grew it became more intensely vehement and gloomy by the grainy, sandy quagmire from its thrashing floor.  As I looked across this brook it appeared to be as a torn garment rippling to and fro without rest.  I had made no sense of it because it appeared to have no purpose.  As I arose to walk away from this place I pondered and then hearing a voice say to me, “It is well.” I questioned and wondered unable to succumb to reason. “How could it be well?” Once again the voice proclaimed. “It is well!!”  Except this time the voice rang from my innermost and the words echoed from within. , “It is well!” I turned away again troubled by reason of this calamity, it was beyond me, I cannot control the winds that blow so violently and the seeming unrestrained forces that are pushing and pulling so relentlessly. How can it be well I asked again?

The strong stable voice replied, because I am in the brook and I have stirred the water. I have caused it to breach its shores and stretch beyond its boundaries. It cannot hold me any longer, for I am bigger than its confines and larger than the settled cracks.

I looked again over the ruffled brook and the latter was now greater than its former.  It appeared stable and more profoundly stronger than ever. It was now settled and anchored within its shores revealing a greater strength and presence about it. In amazement I pondered!

"Purpose is living in truth in every aspect of life as truth is revealed. Because it is transcendent it is all encompassing and cannot be contained by the confines of human reasoning. It is eternal, therefore "Purpose is Eternal and the greater fulfillment of all of life's quests."

John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”


Rick

 











"Frances Tinky Carson Video Clip"

Message spoken by T.D. Jakes on Feb, 18, 2012

"Sermonette" – Bishop TD Jakes, his words were heard all around the world and reached so many hearts. They were both timely and relevant for me and so many others. 

Thanks Bishop. 

In moments like this it feels like death has won, but the Bible says that LOVE is stronger than death.  Your hearts are heavy.  Tears flow down.  Your spirits are wounded.  You look around and everybody you love and everybody you can count on and everybody you can trust seem to be slipping through your fingers.  And, it feels like death has won.

The first family – when Cain killed Abel – it looked like death had won.  Noah escaped the flood.  Still, he died.  It looked like death had won.  Isaiah was an eagle eyed prophet.  He could see thousands of miles and years away.  Still, he died.  It looked like death had won.  Habakkuk had come as a prophet to Israel – spoke truth so powerful, so profound.  But, no matter how close he was to God, still he died.  It looked like death had won.

We see scientists and astronauts and politicians and think of the great sages of the ages.  And no matter how profound, prolific or bright they were, still they died.  It looked like death had won.

But, the Bible kept saying that LOVE is stronger than death.  And they went at it like two gladiators in a fight every time they entered into the ring and it looked like death had won.  And I know to some of you today it looks like death has won.  But, I rose to tell you that two thousand years ago LOVE rolled into the ring and said, “Wait a minute, death!  You’ve been bullying people for a long time, but I want to set the record straight.  LOVE is greater than death!”

HE (LOVE) rolled up HIS sleeves and they fought all over Jerusalem and wrestled all through the cross and the fight went down to the grave.  And death said, “See!  I did to you just like I did to all the rest of them!”

Death started having a party on Friday night.  It was one of those weekend parties.  Lasted all the way through Friday night and all Saturday.  Looked like death had won.

But early Sunday morning LOVE rolled up HIS sleeves and said, “Wait a minute!  Wait a minute!  Wait a minute!”  Snatch grabbed death and took the sting out of death and the victory out of the grave.

And I want you to understand in a very practical and pragmatic way that death has NOT won!  Your tears may flow.  Your pain may come.  The flowers will wither.  The cards will all be filed away.  The phone will stop ringing.  The cakes and pies will all stop coming.  Don’t you dare think that death has won!

You will learn what all of us know who have lost people that we love.  You’ll be driving down the street one day and you’ll hear “Tinky’s” voice talking in your head.  Something she said or something she did will pop up in your spirit and you’ll giggle inside of yourself as if she were sitting in the car with you.  And you will find that people that you really love may leave you outwardly, but they never leave you inwardly.

May the love of God, the peace of the Holy Spirit, the sweet communion that knowing that you are a child of the King keep you in this period in life when it might appear that death has won.  But, it’s a lie!  LOVE will last forever!  For God is LOVE.

Amen!

Missing Tink so much,

Every time I look at her picture, I can't believe she's gone and at the same time I am rejoicing with her as she dances and shouts "halleujah" in that little powerful voice.  I miss our secret talks. Such an example of a virtuous woman.  I've learned and continue to learn so much from her mere presence.  Anyone who took the time to talk to Tink knows that when you told her your story, if you closed your mouth long enough, she WOULD tell you what God had to say about your situation.

God Truly put an angel in our midst and I can't wait to see her again.

Blessed Quietness - Hymm

Joys are flowing like a river,
Since the Comforter has come;
He abides with us forever,
Makes the trusting heart His home.

Blessed quietness, holy quietness,
What assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea, Jesus speaks peace to me,
How the billows cease to roll!

Bringing life and health and gladness,
All around this heavenly Guest,
Banished unbelief and sadness,
Changed our weariness to rest.

Like the rain that falls from Heaven,
Like the sunlight from the sky,
So the Holy Ghost is given,
Coming on us from on high.

See, a fruitful field is growing,
Blessed fruit of righteousness;
And the streams of life are flowing
In the lonely wilderness.

What a wonderful salvation,
Where we always see His face!
What perfect habitation,
What a quiet resting place!

Amen

Looking at this picture of my two sisters with Ma, I begin to understand why it's so hard to let go...she will always be remembered in so many ways.

I’m afraid if I say good bye I will never see you again…

And if I let go all my memories will fade…

And if I move on I’ll leave the love and devotion that made me who I am…

If I decide to build and grow again and embrace the gift of life that God gave to each one of us, and with him start afresh and passionately pursue happiness and fulfillment.

I will feel saddened that you are not here to enjoy it with me.

I now understand the courage, resilience and the stalwart determination it must have taken to walk on top of all the stuff…your difficulties, trials, heart-aces and every pain that you must have felt along the way. You like us had to say goodbye and let go of the ones you loved so dearly. And while all of that happened you carried on and embraced life, you continued onward with spirit sharing stories and experiences over the years past helping us move along.

So now I awaken to another day, challenged to take hold of the courage you had shown us, and that resilient spirit to press on no matter what, and stalwartly embrace life with all of that stuff happening and say. , I too must keep on keeping on.

So I won’t be afraid to say goodbye, or of letting go and moving on, because I know you will always be there. I will share stories of you and the legacy you leave with me., for they are certainly everlasting….

Thanks Mom

    As A little girl I stayed the night with tink alot and on saturday morning me and her would walk to to the end of the street to our church because she cleaned the church every saturday, as we went in to clean she would say "We need to sit and pray before we get started" and so we would go to the three steps that had blue carpet and she wolud make sure I knew how to pray with her. As I still go into the church that looks a little different I could still see me and her sitting there praying for our family. I often think of the things she told us and showed us that plays a huge part of our lives. She was never to busy to show us to depend on gods word no matter what.....She was never to busy when it come to any of us for anything.....Are we to busy for the little things........What will people remember about us.......If I could be half the person tink was, that would great!

She was an angel that God allowed us to have just for a while....How Blessed we are That god loved us that much.........

A shout out to family and friends far and near, let’s do our best to hold on to what really matters as Tink would have us do.

May God bless and keep us Strong!

"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you. " Isaiah 54:10

When I was down, she listened. When I was confused she listened. When I was stubborn and wayward, she still sat and listened. When I was lifted in pride, posed for a fall, she smiled and just listened. And in her silence and her unspoken words she spoke volumes…, and soon I found my way again.

If were honest we all gave Tink an ear full..:-)

Sometimes rehearsing a moment will bring back an outpour of emotions that are sometimes quite overwhelming, whether it's sadness, discouragement or even happy feelings. This is true for many heartfelt events that occur with each of us. When we ponder and think about Tink and the times spent with her, we are all certainly aware they are more heartfelt now than ever before. But if we look more closely we see a strong godly woman who embraced her faith as if it meant everything to her. It was her treasure and was also above all else this world could offer. Let’s not only look at the relationship she had with him, but the covenant he had with her. God loved her more than we ever could, and in his plan gave her more than we could ever imagine.

Romans 8:38-39

New International Version (NIV)

(38) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, (39) neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen...

Wow...I totally forgot about that but now I remember  so well.  :-)

Talking to my brother George the other day he told me a story that reminded me of the kindness and compassion our Mom had shown everyone, especially when it came to young children.  Years ago there was a little young kid everyone knew in our neighborhood. He was a little scruffy, small and timid, not so well off and often ran around without shoes. One day presuming he had been out all day playing his parents seeing him coming home, were shocked to see he had been bathed, cleaned and fully dressed with shoes and socks on his usual battered feet. He had been dressed with a new set of clean clothes replacing his usual tattered wear. His parents were ecstatic and puzzled at his appearance. They had been struck by the thoughtfulness and care given to their little boy. No one really knew who had given Frankie that much time and attention on that summer day.

Later my brother had come home that evening telling Mom all about it and the heartfelt story which had been rumored all over. He told her about the surprising laughter brought on by the unbelievable good deed which seemingly touched everyone who heard about it.

And as he was telling her, Mom as she would always do with hesitation and in the most humblest manner whispered softly to my brother the "unknown person" that had shown such kindness….

"I've come to pour
My praise on Him
Like oil from Mary's alabaster box
Don't be angry if I wash his feet with my tears
And I dry them with my hair
You weren't there the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When he wrapped his love all around me and
You don't know the cost of the oil
In my alabaster box"

Lyrics Taken from one of Mom's favorites...Cece Winans_Alabaster Box

Aunt Tinkey was laughing in this picture because she told Uncle Donnie to bark like a dog and he stood up on his knees right before the picture and started panting....he straightened up right before the picture but she couldn't quite pull it together.  Her brothers and sisters kept her laughing.

I was pondering the other day to see if I could grasp one more glimpse of a moment I seen her smile, laugh, and hear her voice. It wasn’t hard at all; it seemed it was just on yesterday. Of course those memories are much more precious now than ever before. She was a great Mom and I feel she has left a part of herself with each of us, her strength, yet a gentle spirit, wisdom, patience and even an enduring listening ear.  It is no doubt these were God given expressions of himself.  She knew him and she walked with him, he was her Source, her Power and her Bulwark, she praised him in the good times and in the difficult times and she always told me, “God is Able.” 

Thanks Ma, I miss you..

Rick