My dear Grandma suddenly went to be with Jesus on Friday evening. Through the enormous generosity and love of my husband–later reimbursed by kind friends, my sister, Jennifer, Joel, and I were able to fly home to Maryland on the Saturday red-eye flight. I was too tired to say anything at the Memorial Service Sunday evening, but here are the thoughts I wrote out and shared following Grandma’s burial.

I always think of the Psalms when I think of Grandma and Grandpa. Maybe it is because I have so often heard Papa pray that their leaves would be very green and that they might still bear fruit in their old age. (incidentally, this prayer has always been true of them)…

It is also because of the family devotion time Grandpa led many years ago at our family reunion. Grandpa shared from the Psalms and encouraged us each to write our own Psalm. We used Psalm 136 as a model in which every other stanza re-echoes God’s mercy or lovingkindness which endures forever. “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever…” Forever is a very long time. As I think of the numerous ways our God has been faithful and shown His mercy in our family I cannot help but be convicted of the great heritage our family has been given. We have been given much and to whom much is given much will be required. I had the privilege of driving Grandma and Grandpa back home from our family reunion one year. Grandma and Grandpa let me in on their morning prayer time. I will never forget that experience of being in the presence of God with His saints. Grandma and Grandpa prayed back and forth for each member of our entire, enormous extended family. They prayed meaningful specific prayers for each person. Nor will I ever forget the indelible impression of Grandma’s and Grandpa’s romance. Though I don’t remember exactly when it was that I first became aware of that beautiful God-wrought magic between them–I just remember as Grandpa’s eyesight dimmed and their prayer-time became not just Grandma’s powerful daily prayer journal, but a united time which would start each morning of their day, Grandma would tell us how deeply she and Grandpa enjoyed each other. I will never forget Grandpa’s glorious words last evening how the last seven years have been his most happy!! Happy–the Psalms say “blessed.”
“Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart…I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendents begging bread. All day long he is gracious and lends and his descendents are a blessing. Depart from evil and do good so you will abide forever…” Grandpa first pointed out the significance of these special verses to me. The love and joy and heritage we share so richly will never die. I remember in the days before I met David, as I hoped for a special magic like Grandma’s and Grandpa’s that would only deepen with the passing years, I wanted to be content in each season of life, but I also couldn’t imagine my future spouse not knowing my precious Grandparents who have each been such a big and special part of my life. I always childishly wished my Grandparents (on both sides of the family) would live forever. And it’s true what Heidi said, “Grandma’s not the dying type.” Yet I am so grateful David knew and loved Grandma and my other precious Grandparents whom I love so much. I could never imagine what it would be like to lose one so close, but I surely never anticipated the intense peace I feel in the face of loss. Grandma lived fully and served joyfully each and every day of her beautiful life. She lived to see her children’s children’s children and as I now carry her 21st great grandchild, I rejoice to live out this rich heritage with which I have been entrusted.