• Silly Sherri Productions
  • The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie
  • Leave Me a Comment

Sherri Connell

A Lifetime in 27 Years

Sherri Bar
  • HOME
  • A Lifetime in 27 Years
    • A Lifetime in 27 Years
    • My Life Turned Upside Down
    • I Hope My Story Helps Others
  • My Journey
    • My Story
    • My Hubby
    • My Testimony
    • Alumni Magazine
    • Training and Accomplishments
  • Lyme Disease
  • Chemical Injury
  • All in My Head?
  • But You LOOK Good!
  • Inspiration Award
  • My Blogs
    • Fighting for My Life
    • Living My Life
    • Making a Difference
    • Safari Sherri’s Animal World
    • Thoughts of the Day
  • My Videos
You are here: Home / Archives for in memory

A Beautiful Tribute to Wayne’s Dad

October 11, 2015 By Sherri

Wayne at Russ Memorial 2

We had a BEAUTIFUL Celebration of Life Service for Wayne’s Dad, Russ Connell, yesterday!

4 of his 5 children spoke about the things they most remember about their dad’s life and what impacted their lives. I am so proud of Wayne’s tribute to Russ. It was loving, with lots of laughter!

We also had a really fun and emotional video of his life, what he loved and his family. And what a treat it was to have the Connell nephews get up and sing in a quartet! They were incredible! Can’t wait to share that too!

I want to say THANK YOU to all of the amazing people who attended in support of Wayne and me! A special thanks goes out to several friends of Wayne’s and IDA Board Members who were there. We can’t begin to express how much your presence meant to us!

I would also like to thank a few of my special friends who were there when I didn’t even ask them to be! Thank you, Ali, Ann, JOdy and Nancy!! I love you all SO much!!!

Filed Under: Grief and Tribulations, Living My Life Tagged With: death, father, grief, in memory, russ connell, video, wayne connell

Visit with Family

May 22, 2013 By Sherri

IMG_2545 After many months of trying to make plans and plans falling through, we finally made it to Grand Junction to visit my sister, brother in law, great niece and great nephew!

Getting my mom there was a challenge due to her health and battle with lung cancer and my sister is fighting breast cancer. She has had several surgeries and a ton of chemo treatments. This summer, she will be facing radiation M-F for six weeks!


Super Deb Off DutyI had this yard sign made for her, because she has always been Super Deb but needs a break! It is time for people to be there for her and they have been!This was a low-key, enjoyable visit as we all Sisterssat out on my sister’s famous back patio, amidst her incredible garden of flowers and vegetables.

Being there without my brother was extremely hard on us all. We went to his grave site and bawled in devastation. This was the first time we had seen the bench my sister designed and it was breath-taking and the most amazing memorial I have ever laid eyes on. It was incredible!

Sherri at Jim's BenchJim,

I looked for you at home.
I looked for you at your grave.
But you are not there.

Where you stood beside me
and where you loved me,
there is a giant hole.

I wish you were in my arms.
But I rejoice that you are with Jesus
… and you are in my heart.

I love you Big Brudder!! My life is not the same without you.

Filed Under: Counting My Blessings, Grief and Tribulations, Living My Life Tagged With: brother, counting my blessings, family, grieving, in memory, Jim Mitchell, mom, sister, trip, visit

Another Amazing Rainbow in Memory of Jim

December 7, 2012 By Sherri

The last time I saw my brother, Jim, was on Thanksgiving 2011. He passed away 4 weeks later. On our way to his memorial service, I asked God for a “Miraculous Rainbow.”

We were in the mountains, facing the sun and it was winter without any rain. Impossible, right?

Nope! We turned a corner and saw the most spectacular colors from one horizon to the other! When I tried to take a picture of it, this is what showed up … a giant RAINBOW leaping out of the sky and into our car!!! Amazing!

Rainbow of colors from horizon to horizon

This year, we were without my brother. But when we sat down to eat, there was the rainbow in several beams of color shining across my plate and setting (the photo doesn’t do the colors justice). Thank you, Lord for the reminder that Jim is with you!

Rainbow descending from Heaven into our car

RELATED ARTICLES

Remember the Best Brother a Girl Could Have

Providential

Blessings in the Midst of Tragedy

Big Jim’s Ride – My Brother’s Amazing Processional

Jim’s Memorial Page

A Great Loss of IDA Founder and His Wife

Filed Under: Counting My Blessings, Grief and Tribulations, Living My Life Tagged With: chronic illness and pain, counting my blessings, death, family, grieving, in memory, Jim Mitchell, personal story

Providential Blessings in the Midst of Tragedy

January 7, 2012 By Sherri

If we look closely, we can often find Providential Blessings, even in tragedy. What is a Providential Blessing? Well, a Miracle is something amazing that cannot be explained, while a Providential Blessing (PB) is an Extraordinary, Highly Unusual Occurrence that is given as a Gift from the Lord to encourage, even though it may be explained by natural means.

Here are the PB’s I have been given while in the midst of unfathomable anguish after the unexpected death of my brother. I hope and pray there are many more to come, as my heart, mind and soul are crying out in utter despair.

1) Needed a place to stay so that we could attend the memorial services. Because of my chemical sensitivities I had not been able to find a hotel to stay in (except Disney) for 8+ years. They clean with chemicals, often have air fresheners and sprays, carpet shampoos, etc. I had spent 4 months calling all of the hotels in Grand Junction for my reunion. Only one seemed to pass my lengthy checklist and agreed to appropriate preparations (cleaning room and linens with baking soda and vinegar, airing out room, etc). However, when we got there it was worse than anything we had ever been in. I had to turn right around and leave, while I was seeing spots and my legs were going paralyzed.

So, when my brother passed away, we had no idea what we were going to do. After asking around to doctors’ clinics, hospitals and friends, I only had one other possibility. On my previous list, I had passed up on a hotel the last time, because they were in the middle of orchards (which means pesticides). I figured since it was winter, they shouldn’t be spraying. I gave them a call and they passed my giant test! So, we were off and running. It was a nervous ride, with no other options but to turn around and come back with my mom battling lung cancer in the car with us. But the Lord supplied our need!

Wayne went in first to check it out, then came back for me to say that he thought it was OK! When I went into the lobby, I was hit with a mild bit of chlorine from the hot tub and the public restroom was definitely off limits. Yet, the room was great!! Not perfect, but very tolerable and wonderful!

2) On the drive over, I said, “I would like to see a miraculous rainbow!” Wayne said, “It has to rain for there to be a rainbow.” I said, “Well, that’s what makes it miraculous!”

Very shortly, we turned a corner and we were up on a hill looking down into a valley with two sharp peaks on each side. From the very bottom of the peaks, way past their tops and far above our heads was a blast of colors all layered on top of one another! Orange, red, blue, yellow, purple! It was the most incredible thing we have ever seen!

There was no place to pull over and take pictures, so I took a few pictures through the front window and showed up. WOW! A rainbow came down from the sky and into our car! Thank you, Lord!

3) At the grave-site, I leaned over the casket to give my brother a hug. It was very cold out, with snow on the ground, but I honestly felt my head lay up against his warm chest and his arms wrap around me. I didn’t want to let go!

4) Also at the grave-site, my dad and I were both attempting to take a picture of the amazing casket my sister picked out (all black onyx with silver columns). The trees had a dusting of snow and the sun was at the horizon. Both of us when looking through our cameras, saw multiple straight, vertical beams of light coming straight down out of the clouds from above and not from the sun. We both tried taking pictures of these beams, but they would not register on our cameras. I have may times in the past taken pictures with beams of light from the sun. We agreed they were God’s gift shining down on us as we said goodbye.

5)  The day after the services, I was lying on the bed while Wayne was working on the computer. I was on my stomach facing the window and trying to enjoy the beautiful scenery. I closed my eyes and prayed silently that God would bring a large bird to my window to encourage me that He is with me. I stayed there for a few minutes, but then realized that was a silly request. So, I got up and forgot about it.

Suddenly a gigantic shadow engulfed our window and slowly flew by. Wayne yelled, “Did you see that? That was huge! It shadowed our whole window as it went by. It was so close!.” I then told him about my prayer. Incredible!

6) Also the day after, my great niece (Avery) came to the hotel to spend time with us. We needed her and she needed us! She wanted to see the rest of the hotel, so we walked her down to the gift shop. It was just a tiny little space with lots of things such as postcards, wine bottle openers and cases and snacks.

I turned the corner and saw this bear dressed in a leather jacket, pants and boots! I picked it up and showed it to Avery. Her eyes lit up and she exclaimed, “Uncle FUN!!” That was what she called my brother, Jim. She quickly gave him a hug and started say things like, “Uncle FUN is giving me a HUG!” Of course, I purchased him and as we walked, she talked to him and told him she loved him and now she can hug him anytime.

When we returned to my mom’s room, she looked out the window to see that someone had made snow angels where the closed, gated and pool was. She said, “Grammy, I think Uncle FUN made those snow angels!” I said, “Wow! I think you’re right! And, look how the footprints go back to the door where the gift store is. He must have known you were coming over, so he made the angels then went into the store to leave the bear just for you!” She thought that was amazing!

7) My brother’s best friend and love, Cindi, went to the grave-site on New Year’s Day. She asked God for a sign. When she looked up, there was a cross in the sky above his grave. I have never seen anything like this with a line going straight up and another across and look at the customized racing flames coming out of the top!

8) Also on New Years Day, my mom was very distraught. She looked out the window to see the sun dip behind the mountains and paint the sky with deep, rich oranges, blues and reds, with Pikes Peak silhouetted and glowing. She heard Jim’s voice say, “I’m okay, Momma! Don’t worry about me. I’m at peace!” … Wow!

9) Two days later, my husband got off the phone with my mom and asked, “Did you hear what happened to your mom this morning?” I said, “No.” He continued, “She was awakened by an intense beam of orange light shining in her bedroom [which faces West]! She said everything looked like it was on fire outside.” I exclaimed, “What?” I ran and got my camera to show him pictures that I had taken that very morning! I, too, was awakened by red beams in my North facing bathroom window. I got up and looked out to see that all of the houses literally looked like they were on fire, like in the Ten Commandments movie! I ran and got my camera and took some pictures of the sunrise, but when I went back to photograph the houses on the hill, they were no longer lit up.

10) That same day, my sister called her granddaughter, Avery to arrange picking her up. Avery said, “Grandma, I miss Uncle Fun!” Deb said, “I know sweetie. How about if I pick you up today in his Trans Am and we go for a ride?” Avery was thrilled. Now, my brother never let Deb drive any of his vehicles, especially not the Trans Am. Yet, he left this car to her! Deb picked up Avery, got her all buckled in then turned on the radio. There was a short silence, no commercials, no talking then suddenly a song burst out right from the beginning! It was by a band, Steppenwolf, that she and my brother had gone to see together and even worked at on many occasions. This was also the band that recorded the song that I used for Jim’s memorial video, Born to Be Wild! This time, another one of Jim’s very favorite songs played called Magic Carpet Ride! My sister couldn’t believe it! She turned to Avery and said, “This song is for YOU, from Uncle Fun” as she sang the words, “Well, you don’t know what – we can find? Why don’t you come with me little girl – on a magic carpet ride!” Avery wiped away her tears and a big smile emerged as they drove off to take a ride on Jim’s magic carpet!

Now, I know these things can be explained. Extraordinary can sunsets happen once in a lifetime and giant birds fly by windows. Even bears dressed in a motorcycle outfit can show up at a fancy country inn with a winery at just the right time and a staff member can certainly go into the pool area to make angels the night my brother was laid to rest. Nevertheless, I  believe that God made these things happen and I praise Him for these gifts! We just have to be watching for them and give Him all the glory!

“What we see of God’s provisions teaches us to trust Him for what we cannot see of His purposes.” RBC Ministries Devotional

Thank you Lord for your gifts of hope as we live with crushed hearts and must trust in you for our every breath.

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES:

Remember the Best Brother a Girl Could Have
Jim’s Memorial Page
A Great Loss of IDA Founder and His Wife
Providential Blessings in the Midst of Tragedy

Filed Under: Counting My Blessings, Living My Life Tagged With: chronic illness and pain, counting my blessings, family, fragrance-free, in memory, Jim Mitchell, personal story

About Me

About Me

I am a singer, dancer, actress, model. ... Oh wait! That was my life BEFORE Lyme Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury and Chemical Injury. Join me on my pursuit to find joy in the midst of loss and pain! The one thing I certainly still have in this life is my humor! I hope you enjoy my blog full of information about living with disabling illness, pain and loss, as well as counting my blessings and just being plain silly!

Social Icons

Subscribe to My Blog

Receive new blog posts via Email.
Add your email below and hit Subscribe.

In the Media with Sherri

In the Media with Sherri

TELEVISION: Tick Bite Changed My Life Forever
PARENT MAGAZINE: Living w/ Invisible Disability
FORBES MAGAZINE: Break Down the Barriers
AUDIO: Living with Late-Chronic Lyme Disease
AUDIO: Marriage with Chronic Illness
AUDIO: Reaching Out to Others
VIDEO: What to Say, Not to Say, How to Help

Tick Bite Changed My Life

Living with Debilitating Illness and Pain

We Can All Make a Difference

Friendship Over Fragrances

MCS with Pluto and Minnie

MCS Can Be Lonely

Snickers the Amazing Alert Dog

Show Someone You Love Them

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube

Pumpkin Plots Mission Impossible

Pumpkin and Cookie Litter-box Trained

Pumpkin and Cookie Jump and Slide

Additional Favorite Websites

Calvary Chapel Aurora - Ed Taylor
Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign
Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA)
Invisible Disabilities Community
IDA on Facebook
IDA on YouTube
Where Is God Ministries

RSS News from Dr. Mercola

  • Siberian Ginseng Benefits
  • Fat vs. Glucose for Weight Loss: Constructing the Ideal Menu
  • Why Were Such Terrible Approaches Chosen to Handle COVID-19?
  • How Castor Oil Can Simplify Your Beauty Regimen
  • One Reason to Do Your Own Research? Scammers

We Can All Make a Difference

Subscribe to My Blog

Receive new blog posts via Email.
Add your email below and hit Subscribe.

Copyright © 2023 | Sherri Connell

Site Designed by WRC2 Media
 

Loading Comments...