...and some inspiration to boot.

So I'm pretty sure I've made it out the other side of Grandma's passing with mostly possitive affects. Yes, it was a very difficult thing. I didn't quite know how to deal with this sort of thing as it really hadn't happened to me before. But with the help of close friends, a great family, an amazing & patient wife, a nooma video and Jesus I have emerged a better, more complete and even more empathetic person.

Grandma has not left me, she isn't "lost" (as some say, "sorry you lost your grandma.") she has just moved locations. She has gone from being visible, audible and tangible to being ispirational, spiritual (fully) and memorable. Of course she also moved from earth to heaven, duh. :)

Through this process I have come to find solace, peace, even joy in thinking of Grandma. She left behind not a lot of money but a wealth of worthwhile substance for all who knew her. Some of the "stuff" she left behind is now in my possesion; old bibles, prayer journals, pictures, letters, certificates, etc. and all of these things serve to move me forward in the continual pursuit of a life worth living...like hers. I have walked away from the last few weeks with more resolve, determination, energy and motivation to take the bull by the horns and LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST. My dreams are ever before me and not only that but the conviction that they will come to pass has awakened my faith yet again and inspired me to be all that God desires for me to be. It is once again a redemption story; beauty from ashes, strength from weakness, life from death, all things...for good, thanks to the Redeemer Himself.

AMEN.

Remembering Grandma

Well, I'm finally getting down to this. A blog about my grandma.
She died on Tuesday.
It's been difficult, really up and down since then. About 25 years ago my grandpa (her husband) died but since then no one really close to me has died. Grandma and I were really close. In my heart and mind we shared a very tight bond. Her husband was a minister and well, often times I reminded her of him. Sometimes that really troubled me but once I talked with her about it and she said it always made her happy when something I did brought memories of grandpa to her mind.
She was like that. Never really sad. Never very down. Always smiling, laughing and bringing joy to where she was. Just this month she celebrated her 87th Birthday. And, get this, the day she died was the 65th Anniversary of her wedding. It helps to think that her and grandpa were "reunited" on that day.
Next week there's a memorial celebration of Grandma's life. It's taking place in Minnesota so we'll be heading up there. When she turned 80 her and her three daughters sat down and went over all the things necessary to prepare for when she died. In planning for the memorial service she put my name down in the preferred clergyman spot. So I'll be speaking at the memorial, I pray that I can make it through and that I make her proud.
For a while my myspace site will be filled with pictures and memories of grandma. If you knew her you know that she was very special. Please feel free to leave comments. You can also check out this blog site to see what other family members are saying about her.

Thanks for reading all of this, I know it's long.

-dp-