A tribute

May 8, 2010
It seems a little strange for all of us to be gathered here today without Grandma among us. She has always been a strong presence in our family. And although she never said much, at least while I knew her, she was always there, observing, with a big smile on her face. Jenny and I remember her always laughing as she watched. What exactly she was laughing at, we’ll never know. But she was always happy.

In my younger days, I remember Grandma always playing music. On her piano, and even her accordion – when we could talk her into it. There is one song in particular that always brings me back to Grandma and Grandpa’s house on Carmel. It’s the one that says, “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory!”

So even though it seems strange that Grandma is not here with us today, and most of us think this day came a little too soon, we know that she is in a place today where she has always longed to be. In fact, it was just this past fall when my mom and I came for a visit at Holmgreen and found Grandma lying in her bed.  When we asked how she was feeling she said that she thought she may be getting ready to go to heaven. We looked at each other, perplexed, and told Grandma it probably wasn't going to be today. Then she asked if we could take her to the hospital, because I guess she thought that she'd have a better shot at heaven if she were there.  We told Grandma it wasn't her time to go yet, and she looked at us and said, "I've lived a good life, and I am ready to go."

So even though we miss her dearly, we know that this day came not one too soon for her. In her own famous last words, "Praise the Lord!"

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

p.s. Click on the title of this post to see a picture slideshow of Grandma's life.