The above photo was taken at Grandma's 100th birthday celebration last year. Her 4 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren were all blessed to be a part.
Today would have been Steve's grandma's 101st birthday. Instead she is celebrating in a better place. Two weeks ago this coming early Tuesday morning, she went to be with her Lord.
She was ready. In fact, she asked that we pray that the Lord would take her soon. She really was not a sick lady, but she had lived out her years. She survived three husbands and her only child, Steve's dad.
Grandma became very weak and not her "perky" self just before Thanksgiving this past year. She had to be admitted to the hospital. They couldn't find much, but treated her for an infection as her blood cell count was off. After leaving the hospital she had to be admitted to a nursing home for rehabilitation with the goal of regaining enough strength to be able to go back home. She appeared to be trying and to get a bit stronger for a little while...but a few weeks ago it was just her time.
She was so blessed to have Steve's sister, Ruth Ann, stay in her home the past few years to take care of her day and night. Ruth Ann went above and beyond the call of duty, to try and help Grandma keep her wish to stay in her home. Ruth Ann selflessly gave up her job and other out of home activities to take care of Grandma. She gave up sleep and so much more as she cared for every part of Grandma who was unable to do much at all for herself in the end. With God's strength and the support of her church family and some practical support from the Department of Aging, Ruth Ann was able to care for Grandma at home as long as possible. We thank her for her dedication which was far beyond what most anyone would consider volunteering.
Grandma's funeral was a blessed time of remembering. It was a reminder of her faithfulness to God, her family and her community. She was a strong woman in all these ways and worked for most of her life as well. In addition, she "mothered" Stephen and his older brother Donald during high school, while the rest of the family continued with their missions call in Zambia, Africa.
Grandma will be missed and was loved by many. She leaves a wonderful heritage for our children. We are so blessed.
I want to close with a verse from the Bible that Grandma once wrote to us in a letter as "her favorite"...
Titus 2:13 "while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ"
She was waiting to be taken to glory or for Him to come back first.
She was ready...the challenge she leaves for us is "Are we ready?"
Grandma's favorite book was the Bible and her favorite radio program and Bible teacher was the late Dr. J. Vernon McGee of Thru the Bible now at www.thruthebible.org
The photo above is of Stephen's mom, grandma and sister, Ruth Ann.
5 comments:
What a legacy she has left!!! I'm thinking of all of you and happy she is home.
Glad your girls were all able to get to know her a few years to have good memories of her.
That is such a sweet tribute. I think just seeing all those generations of family in one place is special and reaffirms the meaning of family. Love you,
Patti
Betty says....Seeing these pictures reminds me of my grandmother who passed away just before her 100th birthday! What a blessing for you and your girls to have known such a wonderful lady.
I am honored to have known her, and grateful for the times she shared her home with me while visiting in Michigan. Such a nice tribute to "GG" and Ruth Ann...they have both been inspirations for me
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