Abigail's memories
Before she died she would always say "I cannot wait to see you in heaven, dancing and skipping with the Lord Jesus!"
When we went to Gramma's house, she would get out the playdoh and we would make play doh cakes and she would pretend to eat them. We pretended it was her birthday! We would even sing Happy Birthday.
She would read us lots and lots and lots of books every time we went to her house. Even when she was not feeling that well.
Whenever we had to leave to go home, we were always so disappointed. We wanted to stay there longer.
I remember Mitsy, Gramma's dog. She would run and around and chase her tail whenever we would come over. She was glad to see us, and Gramma would always laugh at Mitsy. Mitsy was Gramma's special friend, but she died.
Annie, the cat, was another good friend of Gramma's. Annie took good care of Gramma.
I used to have long talks with Gramma on the phone. Almost every time, Gramma would say "Annie's jumping up on my lap now" and Gramma would hold up the phone to Annie to say Hi. We would have good conversations together.
Bethany's Memories
We would always pick flowers from the yard before coming into Gramma's house. She would say "Oh thank you girls! Let's get a glass and put the flowers in some water." Her whole windowsill would be full of flowers.
And I remember she would always smile every time I saw her. She was never unhappy. I never saw her unhappy.
She would always tikkie our backs with her "tikkie" nails!
Gramma would always stand at the end of the driveway and blow kisses and wave and blow more kisses until we were out of her sight. We never saw her go back inside because she'd always wait.
She would always wear pink and purple and light blue and dark blue. She usually wore long skirts.
I remember we would always make cards for her at her house.
And she would make us boiled eggs and put them in special egg cups, a boy and a girl and a baby. She always did it, but we wanted them that way too.
She would take us for walks on the dike, as long as she was able to walk.
She always made blueberry smoothies every time we'd go to her house.
Melissa has no memories of Gramma, so she had nothing to add. :(
Showing posts with label Comments by Steve and Susie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Comments by Steve and Susie. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Has it really been two years?
Mom, we miss you so much! We still remember your sweet, cheerful voice and bright smile. We will never forget them...or you! You've been with the Lord two earth years now, but the Word of God says that a day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day. (2 Peter 3:8) So time has ceased to exist for you. You dwell in the peaceful and joyous presence of our Lord and Savior, probably unaware of the passing of time on this planet here.
"When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" I Corinthian 15
Oh, we really cannot wait for the moment when we'll see Christy clothed immortal! The girls and I were talking at breakfast about what "Gramma" will be like in heaven when we see her! So gloriously beautiful, no earthly words will be able to express! Her body will be made absolutely perfect, and her soul...oh, she will be completely and utterly happy and satisfied. The joy and love she expressed for her Savior on earth will be exponentially greater in heaven, for she will be with her Beloved whom she longed soooo badly to see. And her spirit no longer hindered by any mortal or earthly thing will display the character and nature of God as only a saint of God in heaven will be able to do. She will sing and speak His praises, she will be completely enraptured with her Savior's face. She will be a direct reflection of her Maker! I know for a fact that God has a very special place in heaven just for her. And it will be very near to Himself.
We talked about how we will no longer have the same relationships we have had on earth, as those served their purpose on earth but will not be needed in heaven. Instead, it will be a thousand times better! We will recognize each other and we will remember the relationship we had on earth. But I'm fairly certain we will be preoccupied with our Lord and Savior. He will be the center and focus of our existence. Come, Lord Jesus!
"When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" I Corinthian 15
Oh, we really cannot wait for the moment when we'll see Christy clothed immortal! The girls and I were talking at breakfast about what "Gramma" will be like in heaven when we see her! So gloriously beautiful, no earthly words will be able to express! Her body will be made absolutely perfect, and her soul...oh, she will be completely and utterly happy and satisfied. The joy and love she expressed for her Savior on earth will be exponentially greater in heaven, for she will be with her Beloved whom she longed soooo badly to see. And her spirit no longer hindered by any mortal or earthly thing will display the character and nature of God as only a saint of God in heaven will be able to do. She will sing and speak His praises, she will be completely enraptured with her Savior's face. She will be a direct reflection of her Maker! I know for a fact that God has a very special place in heaven just for her. And it will be very near to Himself.
We talked about how we will no longer have the same relationships we have had on earth, as those served their purpose on earth but will not be needed in heaven. Instead, it will be a thousand times better! We will recognize each other and we will remember the relationship we had on earth. But I'm fairly certain we will be preoccupied with our Lord and Savior. He will be the center and focus of our existence. Come, Lord Jesus!
-Susan
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Memories
One year ago today Christy passed into the presence of her Lord. It's a bittersweet time for her family...sorrow that she is not with us and at the memory of her sufferings and death, but also sweet memories of her and the ways she touched our lives. It is ironic that she passed away in October, which is breast cancer awareness month. Christy is one of the many hundreds of thousands whose lives have been claimed by this disease. Even now it seems a bit unreal that she actually had cancer. She always seemed so healthy with a spring in her step and color in her cheeks from a walk in the fresh air or gardening. Two things stand out in my mind upon reflecting Christy. One was her love for her Lord, never dull or boring but exuberating passion and vibrant joy in the One she talked about constantly. He was as real to her as life, and she lived in very obvious enjoyment of Him. The second thing was her adoration and affection for her "grandbabies". She was completely taken with them, and she often said how she wished she could stay here for their sakes, and felt so badly about having to leave them. I have never, and probably will never again, see a grandma who was so attached and loved her grandchildren so dearly. Certainly she was almost that way to a fault, but nevertheless her delight in each of them was unparalleled except by the Lord Himself. I miss her as "Grandma" too, for my children's sake, but realize and accept that God had His purposes in taking Christy home.
One of the fondest memories I have of Christy was during my first year after moving to Richmond. I would go over to her house sometimes if I was lonely or bored. She would greet me bundled up in several layers of clothes and the windows open because she loved the fresh air, even in wintertime! Then we'd have frozen blueberries and afterwards drink peppermint licorice tea because we were cold! But she always had bright smiles and would make me feel very welcome. Sometimes we'd get into her van and go to the mall or the health food store or the Christian book store. Other times we'd sit around and talk. I remember one time I was using their computer in the office and had to stop because my fingers were so numb from the cold that I couldn't type! Believe it or not, we didn't have a computer at our house yet, so I'd often go and use theirs. One day Jeff came in (he was still at home then) while I was typing something and gallantly presented me a ring box with a ribbon around it. Being gullible, I opened it and inside was a HUGE brown spider (one of those wolf spiders I think)! Well, he got great pleasure out of my reaction. I threw that little box with the spider in it across the room, and to this day I don't know where that spider went! That was the end of my computer time that day...for all I knew that horrid creature was hiding under some papers on the desk waiting till I was unprepared before he crept out again! I mention that because I went to Christy for sympathy and got absolutely none! She laughed and laughed, and I daresay she set him up to it for all I know! She loved to play tricks on people, especially in the earlier years. Steve remembers sitting in the hot tub in the back of the house, and suddenly a bucket of cold water would splash down on them (probably followed by gleeful laughter!). She often played tricks on a neighbour friend (Susan Parenteau) as well as others.
In later years, Christy became less "fun" as she experienced difficulties and increasing poor health, but our relationship deepened and we became close friends. The thing I miss the most is our phone chats when we would talk for sometimes over an hour and share what was on our hearts. In the first few months after her death I sorely missed this. Now, it is possible to look over this blog and remember her as she was...standing at the kitchen sink preparing fruit salad on Sunday afternoons, seeing her delight when the grandchildren came over, her happiness while tending her garden or talking to a friend about the Lord, and her sunny smiles across the meeting room which seemed to brighten the whole place up! But we'll have to wait until we reach heaven to see her radiant beaming face! Can't wait to see her amazing joy and perfect happiness as we are reunited in the presence of our Lord! :)
One of the fondest memories I have of Christy was during my first year after moving to Richmond. I would go over to her house sometimes if I was lonely or bored. She would greet me bundled up in several layers of clothes and the windows open because she loved the fresh air, even in wintertime! Then we'd have frozen blueberries and afterwards drink peppermint licorice tea because we were cold! But she always had bright smiles and would make me feel very welcome. Sometimes we'd get into her van and go to the mall or the health food store or the Christian book store. Other times we'd sit around and talk. I remember one time I was using their computer in the office and had to stop because my fingers were so numb from the cold that I couldn't type! Believe it or not, we didn't have a computer at our house yet, so I'd often go and use theirs. One day Jeff came in (he was still at home then) while I was typing something and gallantly presented me a ring box with a ribbon around it. Being gullible, I opened it and inside was a HUGE brown spider (one of those wolf spiders I think)! Well, he got great pleasure out of my reaction. I threw that little box with the spider in it across the room, and to this day I don't know where that spider went! That was the end of my computer time that day...for all I knew that horrid creature was hiding under some papers on the desk waiting till I was unprepared before he crept out again! I mention that because I went to Christy for sympathy and got absolutely none! She laughed and laughed, and I daresay she set him up to it for all I know! She loved to play tricks on people, especially in the earlier years. Steve remembers sitting in the hot tub in the back of the house, and suddenly a bucket of cold water would splash down on them (probably followed by gleeful laughter!). She often played tricks on a neighbour friend (Susan Parenteau) as well as others.
In later years, Christy became less "fun" as she experienced difficulties and increasing poor health, but our relationship deepened and we became close friends. The thing I miss the most is our phone chats when we would talk for sometimes over an hour and share what was on our hearts. In the first few months after her death I sorely missed this. Now, it is possible to look over this blog and remember her as she was...standing at the kitchen sink preparing fruit salad on Sunday afternoons, seeing her delight when the grandchildren came over, her happiness while tending her garden or talking to a friend about the Lord, and her sunny smiles across the meeting room which seemed to brighten the whole place up! But we'll have to wait until we reach heaven to see her radiant beaming face! Can't wait to see her amazing joy and perfect happiness as we are reunited in the presence of our Lord! :)
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
We miss her
As I go through the day now, my mind often goes to Christy and how much we miss her. And I am once again impressed by the frailty of life. Our life and breath is a daily gift from our Maker - Christy was well aware of that. But knowing we will never see her again on earth, never hear her loving voice, never be able to enjoy the friendship and kind compassion of dear Christy brings tears to my eyes and I marvel at how death is as real as life. Some days I look at the photo of her on my fridge and almost can't believe she's really gone. I wish she was still here, though healthy. I wish I could still call her on the phone and talk like we used to so often. I wish I could ask her to pray knowing that she truly cared and would definitely pray. But then I think about how much she longed for this, how MUCH she wanted to be with her Lord, whom having not seen she loved! And I think of the untold wonder and unspeakable joy she is experiencing now, uninterupted bliss, completely at peace and rest. And I cannot but be happy for her. Life here goes on for us, and we are the ones who must carry on living, carrying her memories with us, until the moment we are caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air!
Here are some lines from a poem at my Grandma (Vivienne's) funeral.
Grieve not because the eyes that looked upon you
Shall never see your face on earth again,
Rejoice because they look upon the Saviour
Who gave His life to ransom sinful men.
Weep not because I walk no longer with you,
Remember I am walking streets of gold,
Weep for yourselves that you awhile must tarry
Before the blessed Lord you may behold.
Here are some lines from a poem at my Grandma (Vivienne's) funeral.
Grieve not because the eyes that looked upon you
Shall never see your face on earth again,
Rejoice because they look upon the Saviour
Who gave His life to ransom sinful men.
Weep not because I walk no longer with you,
Remember I am walking streets of gold,
Weep for yourselves that you awhile must tarry
Before the blessed Lord you may behold.
Monday, October 29, 2007
A tribute
A beautiful flower was taken up to heaven last night. Her body had grown frail and ravaged by disease, but her spirit - her sweet and lovely spirit - escaped the prison that it had been held back by and rose to be with the One who gave it. She is free, unhindered by pain or sickness or suffering or sin or things that distract, and she is altogether at peace and unimaginable joy in the presence of her Lord. We cannot, do not, wish her back. But she has left a very large, un-fillable hole in the hearts of those whom she touched and loved. She will never be replaced. Our hearts are filled with sadness and we will greatly miss this dear woman who smiled at everyone she met. It is hard to imagine not being able to see or talk to her, or to hear her sweet voice and smiling face. She has left us a legacy, however, that will never grow dim. Her legacy is passed on to her husband, children, and grandchildren, and that is her passion and love and enjoyment of her Lord Jesus Christ and what He did in her life. She often told me that she wasn't a sweet person at all naturally, but that it was the Lord's influence in her life...she gave Him the glory for who and what she was. Christy has been an example to me of true fellowship with her God through His Son, and her favorite subject was His love for her. It seems that He loved her so much He wanted to have her with Him. His work in her and through her on earth was done, and He gathered her spirit to be with Himself. Think of the enjoyment and satisfaction they are having together right now! This is such a comfort to me, for she has so often talked of and longed for, almost pined for, the day that this would come to pass. Can we truly wish that she was back on earth to be with us when she is in Divine company?
Christy was one of my very best friends on earth. Yes, and she was my mother-in-law! But she seemed almost more friend than mother-in-law. I loved her dearly and will very much miss her friendship, but even more so her prayers and petitions that she constantly sent up on our behalf. She was a woman of prayer, always praying for each one that she loved and cared for. I remember so many times asking her to pray about a certain thing and most times I saw very positive answers to those prayers. I really believe the reason was because she prayed with true love and earnestness, and believed that the Lord heard and would answer. Christy was one who loved much, and lived her love in word and in deed. She loved her grandchildren as few grandmas love their grandchildren...to the point of doting, adoring, and spoiling! She was one of the extremely rare people that I have known that have manifested the love of God in her life in such a way that it was evident to all who knew her (unless they were blind). She had the character of Jesus Christ shining through her. And that is what she wanted. She wanted to give glory to God through her life and be a witness and testimony to all around her. Through the grace of God, she has.
This verse came to mind quite a bit in the last days/weeks before her death and also after. I shared it with her on one of my last visits, and she really enjoyed it.
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Isaiah 60:1
Finally Christy has heard the voice of her Beloved saying "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away." Song of Solomon 2:13. And she went gladly!
We will see you soon, Christy! Anytime now we may hear the Lord's great shout and the beckoning voice of the archangel, and the triumphant trumpet from God Himself, and we will be "caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord!" I Thessalonians 4:16-17. Doesn't that just thrill you? I can almost hear the great shout now! Victory is coming, when death will not hold any more threat or sting for us who believe in Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus! We've waited so long...
By Susie, her daughter-in-love
Christy was one of my very best friends on earth. Yes, and she was my mother-in-law! But she seemed almost more friend than mother-in-law. I loved her dearly and will very much miss her friendship, but even more so her prayers and petitions that she constantly sent up on our behalf. She was a woman of prayer, always praying for each one that she loved and cared for. I remember so many times asking her to pray about a certain thing and most times I saw very positive answers to those prayers. I really believe the reason was because she prayed with true love and earnestness, and believed that the Lord heard and would answer. Christy was one who loved much, and lived her love in word and in deed. She loved her grandchildren as few grandmas love their grandchildren...to the point of doting, adoring, and spoiling! She was one of the extremely rare people that I have known that have manifested the love of God in her life in such a way that it was evident to all who knew her (unless they were blind). She had the character of Jesus Christ shining through her. And that is what she wanted. She wanted to give glory to God through her life and be a witness and testimony to all around her. Through the grace of God, she has.
This verse came to mind quite a bit in the last days/weeks before her death and also after. I shared it with her on one of my last visits, and she really enjoyed it.
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Isaiah 60:1
Finally Christy has heard the voice of her Beloved saying "Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away." Song of Solomon 2:13. And she went gladly!
We will see you soon, Christy! Anytime now we may hear the Lord's great shout and the beckoning voice of the archangel, and the triumphant trumpet from God Himself, and we will be "caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord!" I Thessalonians 4:16-17. Doesn't that just thrill you? I can almost hear the great shout now! Victory is coming, when death will not hold any more threat or sting for us who believe in Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus! We've waited so long...
By Susie, her daughter-in-love
Friday, October 5, 2007
Psalm 34
"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
I have enjoyed these verses especially during Christy's illness and I believe they express beautifully many of battles and victories she has won. She would most likely agree wholeheartedly with each one of the above verses! Some look upon her illness and death and see a premature end, defeat, pain, and sorrow. But I see tremendous victory and triumph and the power and love of God helping Christy to overcome. She has found that there is no fear in love...that perfect love casts out fear! She has found safety and assurance in the complete surrender of herself to God's will, and the profound peace and rest that comes with trusting Him fully. Her heart has been bound with the cords of His love that will never let her go, even in death. The Lord will perform the perfect work that He began in her long ago. It has been really neat to see what the Lord has been doing in her life, and the many proofs of His love and goodness and kindness especially during her illness. He has proven Himself faithful and trustworthy, as this Psalmist declared thousands of years earlier!
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."
I have enjoyed these verses especially during Christy's illness and I believe they express beautifully many of battles and victories she has won. She would most likely agree wholeheartedly with each one of the above verses! Some look upon her illness and death and see a premature end, defeat, pain, and sorrow. But I see tremendous victory and triumph and the power and love of God helping Christy to overcome. She has found that there is no fear in love...that perfect love casts out fear! She has found safety and assurance in the complete surrender of herself to God's will, and the profound peace and rest that comes with trusting Him fully. Her heart has been bound with the cords of His love that will never let her go, even in death. The Lord will perform the perfect work that He began in her long ago. It has been really neat to see what the Lord has been doing in her life, and the many proofs of His love and goodness and kindness especially during her illness. He has proven Himself faithful and trustworthy, as this Psalmist declared thousands of years earlier!
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