Goodbye (for now), Grandma

My dear Grandma passed away last week, and we spent yesterday celebrating her life. It was a day filled with family, friends, memories, laughter, lots of tears and tissue, and Jesus--mostly Jesus, as His name was truly lifted high because of her life.

My sweet Grandma with her youngest (me) and oldest (Christen) grandkids. 

With a shaky voice and tears fighting to pour out, this is what I shared at the service:

I lost the first of my four grandparents on July 17^th of this year when my grandma “at the beach” went home to be with Jesus. In fact, the last words I spoke to her were, “I’ll see you when we’re both with Jesus.” Losing her rocked me, though I grieve with hope, knowing that I will get to see her again one day. In order to process her loss and figure out how to even grieve, I wrote this poem:

Grandma

It is with trembling we let you go

With our hearts shattered

And tear streaks scattered

For we know this was not your home

It is so plain to see

That although you loved deeply

And lived life completely 

Your heart was set toward eternity

With hope we grieve your loss

For we know we'll see you again

With Christ our Lord in Heaven 

Because of His work on the cross

It is only goodbye for now

Though the pain is so very raw

One day we'll again dance and sing along

Together at our Savior's feet we will bow 

Thank you for your love and life

For the legacy you’ve carried on

With a confident strength all along

Thank you for pointing us to Christ 

So, with trembling we let you go

With our hearts shattered

And tear streaks scattered

For we know you are now truly home