Our Grief, Their Joy

Eventually we all will see our family structure change as various members come to the end of their lives. The first  of our families to leave us was my husband's sister. Carolyn left this world at the age of 60. We all missed her laughter and her many ways of serving others. Although she never had children she with great delight filled her role as aunt. Even now as I spend time with my grands I imagine how Carolyn would have reacted to the antics of these amazing children .

After his sister we then had to say goodbye to Steve's dad and then his mom. By that time my father had died. In 2014 my mother left us, my brother Phil in 2016. When someone you love dies there are 2 sides to what has happened. Sometimes it is easy to dwell on what seems like the unfair circumstance under which they left. We focus on how much they suffered, the suddenness of the illness or accident or the young age of the deceased. When Carolyn died I must have understood the better focus. I found this yesterday.

January 2000

My sister-in-law, my sister in Christ has breathed her last of earth's air. Today she took her first deep breath of the fragrance of  Christ's presence. She has left behind this land of shadows for the reality of the King. Half-hearted obedience, unaccomplished goals no longer weigh her down.

All that was incomplete is now complete . Perfectly she obeys and perfectly she praises her lord..

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