40 Years for Us. 40 Years for Her.

Forty years ago tonight, my mother took her last breath on earth and her first breath in heaven. She was 55 years old. Her death from a brain aneurysm was completely unexpected and staggeringly sad to all the loved ones she left behind. My dad, brother, sister, and I were devastated.

As I reflect on this anniversary, my mind naturally goes to all of the occasions she has missed and all of the wonderful people she never got to meet. I was 35. Our children were 12, 8, and 7 years old. My brother's children were 8 and 6. She always wanted us to "keep her in bragging material." In other words, she expected us to keep her informed about all the funny stories, awards, accolades, and accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She would then unapologetically work them into conversations with her friends. I hope they didn't mind too terribly. Proving what a good judge of character she was, she adored Steve and believed I had married a man who could do no wrong.

Momma missed her grandchildren's proms, boyfriends/girlfriends, high school graduations, engagements, college graduations, ordinations, and weddings. How she would have LOVED those weddings!! A perfect excuse (as if she needed one) for a new dress and a beauty salon appointment.

Then her great grandchildren started arriving. Who would have ever imagined that by the time she turned 95, she would have 18 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren!!! Her friends would have never gotten in a word edgewise. :)

I still miss my momma and long for conversations with her. I have needed her hugs, her encouragement, her cheerleading. Yet, when I think about what SHE has experienced in these last 40 years, I am so very happy for her.

Since January 27, 1986, momma has felt no sadness or pain. She hasn't been sick a single day or shed a single tear. She hasn't been hungry or thirsty. She hasn't been hot or cold. She hasn't felt or seen any darkness or loneliness. For the past 40 years, she hasn't been confused, hurt, angry, or misunderstood. What she HAS felt is unspeakable joy because she's been in the presence of her heavenly Father and her Savior Jesus Christ. She has been singing praises in the vast choir filled with all the believers who died before her and have joined her since she arrived. The sound is more than I can comprehend, but I know there's not a single wrong note.

All the questions she might have had about people in the Bible or theological issues have been asked and answered. She has gotten the whole picture.

She was in heaven to welcome her sisters Margie and Gloria and her brothers George and Griggs. I have often imagined the scene when daddy's second wife June got to heaven and then five months later when daddy arrived. Oh, the stories! Oh, the laughter!

I'm glad she's missed the wars, the political turmoil, and the pandemic. I'm pretty sure she would have disapproved of cellphones and definitely despised texting. She was a huge fan of face-to-face, in-person communication. However, she would have done whatever was necessary to stay involved in our lives.

Yes, she missed many earthly events, but she has witnessed a thousand times more heavenly ones than she missed.

If I had another minute with her, I'd tell her how much I love her and how glad I am that she was my mother. I believe she'd tell me to enjoy the time I have left on earth and to love my people with a wide open heart. She'd assure me that death was not something to fear because there was something glorious waiting for me. I know she'd want me to point as many people to Jesus as I could.

Momma was a wonderful cook, and she truly had fun when people came to her home for meals. But she also loved going out to eat. Not fast food. Not a buffet. She enjoyed being waited on and ordering from a nice menu. In her honor, I'll go out for lunch today. :)

I really hope my brother, sister, and I have made her proud. We were so blessed to have her as ours.

Psalm 116:15

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants."

Revelation 21:4

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”