Just a year ago, my brothers and sisters and I said goodbye as our 92 year old mom slipped away from "the surly bonds of earth" and in to her Father's arms. It had been a hard year for all of us - watching as the independent, jeep-driving, mountain loving, "Grammie" we loved endured pain and grew frailer, and somehow, smaller.
True to form, Mom made up her mind that she was going to live until Christmas so that she could see her grandkids and issue her seal of approval for the new additions to the family. She summoned reserves that we didn't even know she had and was the life of the party that last evening. I know that she knew that it would be our last holiday together, and she intended to make the most of it.
Three weeks later, all of us gathered by her bedside in the hospital. We sang the hymns she loved and she whispered the words to "Step by Step", her favorite Rich Mullins song, then closed her eyes for the last time. I will be grateful for those moments with all of us together as long as I live. But much more than that, I am grateful that Jesus has wiped away every tear. She is no longer mourning my brother's death, she gets to breathe the pure mountain air of heaven EVERY MORNING, she is thoroughly enjoying getting to know Katherine Mary, the little granddaughter that she never got a chance to meet on earth. She is for the very first time, FULLY and GLORIOUSLY ALIVE in the presence of a radiant Lord. I am a little bit jealous, and MORE than a little bit missing her, but I am so very, very happy that she will be there to welcome me when I meet my Savior face to face.
True to form, Mom made up her mind that she was going to live until Christmas so that she could see her grandkids and issue her seal of approval for the new additions to the family. She summoned reserves that we didn't even know she had and was the life of the party that last evening. I know that she knew that it would be our last holiday together, and she intended to make the most of it.
Three weeks later, all of us gathered by her bedside in the hospital. We sang the hymns she loved and she whispered the words to "Step by Step", her favorite Rich Mullins song, then closed her eyes for the last time. I will be grateful for those moments with all of us together as long as I live. But much more than that, I am grateful that Jesus has wiped away every tear. She is no longer mourning my brother's death, she gets to breathe the pure mountain air of heaven EVERY MORNING, she is thoroughly enjoying getting to know Katherine Mary, the little granddaughter that she never got a chance to meet on earth. She is for the very first time, FULLY and GLORIOUSLY ALIVE in the presence of a radiant Lord. I am a little bit jealous, and MORE than a little bit missing her, but I am so very, very happy that she will be there to welcome me when I meet my Savior face to face.