A verse I had no idea would grow to mean so much to me!
I wrote this post over a week ago now, just late posting!
July 21, 2015
One month-It has been exactly one month since I've seen and talked to my Granny. I have thought about what I have wanted to write in this post a million times, and a million times more have wanted to sit down and write it, but never could bring myself to do so.
Well, I got my hair cut yesterday and all I could hear is my Granny saying, "Your Papa would be maaadd at you" and "Nooo you didn't cut it off". And again this morning, as I made my coffee, I am laughing at the last time I fixed coffee for my Granny. It was the week of June 15th and I was staying with her. I made coffee for myself and convinced her to try it. It was way too strong (Thank you Keurig for taking away my ability to make coffee in a regular pot). Granny responded with "oooo that's bitter" but then came the "it'll be alright...just add a little water." I laugh because it was funny, but as I write it out, I just think...that is just like my Granny-to be so honest about the circumstance and at the same time, think of a way to make it better, to make it alright, to look at the positive.
Some may know this, most probably do not...The day that I received confirmation from my doctor of my impending miscarriage was the same day mom told me about my Granny's cancer diagnosis. Two totally incomparable things for sure, but a journey of doctor visits we could share in together. During that time, I remember sharing a verse with my Granny that I had read that week:
There are so many words that come to mind when I think of my Granny; among the top:
Service: As a waitress, my Granny truly loved to serve. I remember as a kid, staying the night with her so that I could get up at 4 am and go to work with her. She worked with such a genuine love for people that I admire. Everyone had a story to share with us about the smile & joy they will miss so much!
Love: Granny loved and loved well-unconditionally! She may have been quick to tell you TRUTH, especially if you were not walking in Truth, but she did everything in LOVE. She loved us more than I can put into words and beyond that, she loved our friends just like they too were hers.
Trust: Boy was my Granny trustworthy and very trusting! From taking my 1st pregnancy test at her house (shamefully when I should not have needed to do so!) to doctor appointments with fertility, she would keep anything to herself that you did not want her to tell. She also had an amazing TRUST in the Lord, that He is Good and His Plans are best, no matter what!
Strength & Gratitude: I combine these because for Granny, there two went hand in hand. She was THE STRONGEST woman I know. She dealt with so much in her life, but to hear her wisdom and to watch her walk through whatever life brought, she SHOWED Strength in the Lord through focusing on her Gratitude for His Blessings!
That last week with Granny was hard for us. People have asked, was it easier to know it was coming? I am not sure if there is an answer for that. Yes, I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with her that week-coffee, conversation, TV schedule, devotions and prayer at night- but to watch the struggle as death approaches is the hardest thing I have had to do. I just thought it was hard the 1st time with my miscarriage, but to watch it a 2nd time with my Granny proved even more difficult. But...as Granny taught us to live with such gratitude, the Holy Spirit so graciously gave us the ability to be thankful that week-so thankful to know that on the night of the 21st, Granny got to enter into the Presence of Jesus, and it truly does not get any better than that!
It is my prayer, that as you look at my Granny's life and as you remember her, that it point you to Jesus-to the God that knows, to the God that loves and to the God that welcomed my Granny HOME June 21, 2015.
As family, we watched the struggle that the last week of my Granny's life brought (thankfully with very little pain and suffering-just the toll cancer takes on the body). I think about all of us praying for that struggle to not have to continue, and I think about Jesus, who willingly took on the struggle of the cross-how hard that must have been on the Father, yet they did it anyway, out of LOVE for Us, for YOU! OH WHAT LOVE! That is a perfect picture of service and love, and what a love that should change us to, like my Granny, have such gratitude and trust in the Father!! Beyond that, what strength we can have because of the Lord's strength to overcome death! God is so good, God is so faithful ALWAYS!
I will end (this seemingly long post, sorry!) with the verses my cousin Kevin and I chose to share at my Granny's service, verses that the Holy Spirit also gave my Uncle Bo, who officiated the service. I smile at this because what a reminder of my Granny, and that the Lord would give us all these same verses as if agreeing with us on how Awesome she is!
I wrote this post over a week ago now, just late posting!
July 21, 2015
One month-It has been exactly one month since I've seen and talked to my Granny. I have thought about what I have wanted to write in this post a million times, and a million times more have wanted to sit down and write it, but never could bring myself to do so.
Well, I got my hair cut yesterday and all I could hear is my Granny saying, "Your Papa would be maaadd at you" and "Nooo you didn't cut it off". And again this morning, as I made my coffee, I am laughing at the last time I fixed coffee for my Granny. It was the week of June 15th and I was staying with her. I made coffee for myself and convinced her to try it. It was way too strong (Thank you Keurig for taking away my ability to make coffee in a regular pot). Granny responded with "oooo that's bitter" but then came the "it'll be alright...just add a little water." I laugh because it was funny, but as I write it out, I just think...that is just like my Granny-to be so honest about the circumstance and at the same time, think of a way to make it better, to make it alright, to look at the positive.
Some may know this, most probably do not...The day that I received confirmation from my doctor of my impending miscarriage was the same day mom told me about my Granny's cancer diagnosis. Two totally incomparable things for sure, but a journey of doctor visits we could share in together. During that time, I remember sharing a verse with my Granny that I had read that week:
"They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:7Bad news came to us both that week, but what a blessing to trust in the Lord together!
There are so many words that come to mind when I think of my Granny; among the top:
Service, Love, Trust, Strength, GratitudeWe heard countless stories from people as we gathered the week of the 22nd of June...
Service: As a waitress, my Granny truly loved to serve. I remember as a kid, staying the night with her so that I could get up at 4 am and go to work with her. She worked with such a genuine love for people that I admire. Everyone had a story to share with us about the smile & joy they will miss so much!
Love: Granny loved and loved well-unconditionally! She may have been quick to tell you TRUTH, especially if you were not walking in Truth, but she did everything in LOVE. She loved us more than I can put into words and beyond that, she loved our friends just like they too were hers.
Trust: Boy was my Granny trustworthy and very trusting! From taking my 1st pregnancy test at her house (shamefully when I should not have needed to do so!) to doctor appointments with fertility, she would keep anything to herself that you did not want her to tell. She also had an amazing TRUST in the Lord, that He is Good and His Plans are best, no matter what!
Strength & Gratitude: I combine these because for Granny, there two went hand in hand. She was THE STRONGEST woman I know. She dealt with so much in her life, but to hear her wisdom and to watch her walk through whatever life brought, she SHOWED Strength in the Lord through focusing on her Gratitude for His Blessings!
That last week with Granny was hard for us. People have asked, was it easier to know it was coming? I am not sure if there is an answer for that. Yes, I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with her that week-coffee, conversation, TV schedule, devotions and prayer at night- but to watch the struggle as death approaches is the hardest thing I have had to do. I just thought it was hard the 1st time with my miscarriage, but to watch it a 2nd time with my Granny proved even more difficult. But...as Granny taught us to live with such gratitude, the Holy Spirit so graciously gave us the ability to be thankful that week-so thankful to know that on the night of the 21st, Granny got to enter into the Presence of Jesus, and it truly does not get any better than that!
It is my prayer, that as you look at my Granny's life and as you remember her, that it point you to Jesus-to the God that knows, to the God that loves and to the God that welcomed my Granny HOME June 21, 2015.
As family, we watched the struggle that the last week of my Granny's life brought (thankfully with very little pain and suffering-just the toll cancer takes on the body). I think about all of us praying for that struggle to not have to continue, and I think about Jesus, who willingly took on the struggle of the cross-how hard that must have been on the Father, yet they did it anyway, out of LOVE for Us, for YOU! OH WHAT LOVE! That is a perfect picture of service and love, and what a love that should change us to, like my Granny, have such gratitude and trust in the Father!! Beyond that, what strength we can have because of the Lord's strength to overcome death! God is so good, God is so faithful ALWAYS!
I will end (this seemingly long post, sorry!) with the verses my cousin Kevin and I chose to share at my Granny's service, verses that the Holy Spirit also gave my Uncle Bo, who officiated the service. I smile at this because what a reminder of my Granny, and that the Lord would give us all these same verses as if agreeing with us on how Awesome she is!
She is clothed with strength and dignity;she can laugh at the days to come.She speaks with wisdom,and faithful instruction is on her tongue.She watches over the affairs of her householdand does not eat the bread of idleness.Her children arise and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her:“Many women do noble things,but you surpass them all.”Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.Honor her for all that her hands have done,and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31: 25-31
A few pictures I've been looking back on...Enjoy!
Hello Shea. My name is Kris Atcheson, I am not sure you remember me but I worked with Momma Faye at Friends & I must say your whole post is the best description of her. I have always been a mommas girl & with my mom living in California it was hard. Then I met Momma Faye & she reminded me so much of my mom, it was uplifting. She was such an amazing woman to be around & it was an honor knowing her. Then I lost my mom in 2008 to cancer as well & my whole world went really dark for me. Even knowing that my mom just went home (she was more than ready to stand in the light of God) & was no longer in pain, I still hated God for taking her away from me. I was ashamed of feeling that way & no longer feel that way of course, I was told that was part of grieving process. Anyway, I am just rambling on. I just wanted to say that I admire your strength through both of your losses. God certainly has his hands on you & Brett. I will pray that soon you will be able to bring home that infant you both desire. There is no doubt that you will both be a very amazing mommy & daddy. May God bless you both. :)
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