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To every thing a season, to every time a purpose

 
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E-A-G-L-E!
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To every thing a season, to every time a purpose
« on: June 17, 2009, 02:55:47 PM »

It's been more than a few months since either my brother or I have posted on a daily basis, so filled are our days.  Of course, that's bound to happen at some point or another, and - who knows? - maybe the day will come when things slow down a bit and free us to spend more time here again.  Since we consider all of you our friends, and it's been a pleasure to correspond with some of you outside of posting, we thought we'd share something that is dear to our hearts.

First, I think I should add a preface.  I'm sure many of you are aware, especially those who have been here around the same as we have, that for the past 9 years we live with our paternal grandmother, taking care of the needs she has due to Alzheimer's Disease.  Some of you may also know, although maybe not quite as many of you, that my maternal grandmother spent approximately the last year living at our aunt's house after a detrimental hospital stay in May 2008.  There were more than a few weekends (beginning last summer and on into the last weeks of January) that I would stay with my dear "Grandy", while our aunt and her family were out of town.

The last few months have been quite the road to trod.  There were hills and valleys, cloudy and sunny days - yet each day a gift, nonetheless.  I'll skip the details, even though I know you care enough to read them, because it could place the focus on sorrow instead of joy.  And if you could see my face, you'd see it's true: I'm not sorrowful in the least; I have a deep, resounding joy that fills my heart, and a smile that fills my face.  So let me say this:

After a hospital stay, physical therapy, and another hospital stay, Grandy's doctor came and said she was losing her battle.  She wanted to go home with us, and she did so that very day.  Whatever was to come, we knew all would be fine.  We knew that with God all things are possible, even now.  Or, as she had said to my mom just earlier that morning, she'd be okay... she'd be with Jesus.

At our home we had a wonderful last few days with her, surrounding her with love, and a precious time of caring for her.  There's never been a day in my life that I remember her enjoying "good health", as my own mom was just a toddler when her health went on the decline, but that didn't cause Grandy to complain nor did it stop her nor ever cause her to think that life's not worth livin'.  Indeed, just the opposite, she was so thankful, ever grateful, to her Lord for each new day, and she always wanted to live for that next special event and whatever work the Lord had for her to do.  And even at this time, through the strength found in Christ, she held on as long as He would allow.  Until it was time to go Home, and through His grace, she was given the strength to let go.  Her last desire granted, she went home to Glory on her favorite day of the week - "The Lord's day, Resurrection Day" - on June 7.

And, you know, the doctor said she was losing her battle, but I disagree.  Her physical battle may be over, but it was far from lost because the battle that counts was won when she was a teen when she placed her trust in Jesus Christ...  For her, Sunday commenced the best that had yet to come!
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He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.  - Jim Elliot

Fuzzy
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Re: To every thing a season, to every time a purpose
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2009, 03:08:18 PM »

Rest In Peace Grandy.

 Angel

Prayers to you and your family E-A-G-L-E.
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Re: To every thing a season, to every time a purpose
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2009, 03:17:03 PM »

 Angel

My condolences to you and your family. 

This post makes me want to call my grandparents and say hi. 
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Re: To every thing a season, to every time a purpose
« Reply #3 on: June 17, 2009, 03:39:16 PM »

Eagle and torpedo, I am so sorry for your loss, yet glad that she was able to live out her life on her terms.Angel
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women are like tornados. In the beginning there's a lot of sucking and blowing. In the end, the car's gone, the house is gone..
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Re: To every thing a season, to every time a purpose
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2009, 04:55:27 PM »

E-A-G-L-E and Torpedo, be assured she is in a good place now and is content. Angel
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Re: To every thing a season, to every time a purpose
« Reply #5 on: June 17, 2009, 09:40:15 PM »

Having lost more grandparents than I think is fair for a single person, I offer my condolences.
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dystopia
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Re: To every thing a season, to every time a purpose
« Reply #6 on: June 17, 2009, 10:57:31 PM »

 Angel
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stroh
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Re: To every thing a season, to every time a purpose
« Reply #7 on: June 18, 2009, 06:28:43 AM »

Nat.,  thank you for that wonderful post.  My heart is with you, Kev. and your entire family.

Mike
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Re: To every thing a season, to every time a purpose
« Reply #8 on: June 19, 2009, 07:19:16 PM »

Your post is a perfect example of why I have such respect for you.
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Re: To every thing a season, to every time a purpose
« Reply #9 on: June 24, 2009, 07:45:59 PM »

I had wanted to personalize the op a bit for you her because you're a bit more updated, but I didn't have the moments to do so.  You know that we had planned for her to come here after her physical therapy for further recovery.  It was also considered that Grandy would go back to my aunt's if yet more physical therapy and/or home nurses were needed.  If that was the case, I would have gone there for as long as necessary as well.  The turn of events from mid-May to the late-May was definitely 180º, but what a reminder that we don't control what will happen.  However, we had quite a few very special moments during her last few days and weeks.

Although I made a few changes, the following is still mostly copy-paste, but I wanted to share it with you.

To start off, I'm still rejoicing! That isn't to say that I won't miss her for I know I shall. Indeed, there have already been numerous times I've found myself about to call her or wanting to hear her sing her "Apple Tree Song". But each time I remember something, it seems I also think of a verse of Scripture and a song to go with it. My voice is now a bit rough at times when I'm speaking from all the times I've started singing.

We wanted her funeral to be a reflection of the celebration that is taking place on the other side, although anything we could ever do here would not even amount to a tiny degree of the exponential magnitude over there. My mom had the responsibility of making all the arrangements, but that was actually a blessing because we could ensure that it would be as it should be. And so it was. It was a time of celebration, not of her life on earth, but of how her life had truly begun.

Along with all the arrangements, the majority of the service would also be my mom's. (My aunt preferred to just enjoy the service, and my uncle would sing a few songs if his health allowed.) Although it wasn't the smoothest funeral service I've ever sat through, being planned with only a general outline to allow a sliding time frame because of all the things that might or might not happen, and considering all the things that did happen beforehand that should have thrown a wrench into it but didn't, it was simply amazing how things worked out.

After a few congregational hymns, Chelsea, Mom, and I sang Grandy's Apple Tree Song. Chelsea sang the part of my grandmother as a little girl (which was Chelsea's first solo), then myself as the "grown up girl", and my mom as my grandmother's mom.

My mom had asked me if there was something I would want to say during the funeral, but because of all the other things that needed to be done, I never did get a chance to put some thoughts together. Yet even that worked out.... My mom and I had planned to do as many duets as time would allow because my grandmother said she wanted a concert for her funeral (that is if she didn't meet the Uppertaker before the undertaker). So, the night before the funeral at midnight (because that was the very first opportunity we had had), while we were looking through all the different songs from a Christian quartet in the 70s that my grandma loved, we needed something to string them together. Instead of trying to put something together, we found something already written. I had previously printed out the op of this thread for my mom to read, and she took that back out, rearranged some of it, added some thoughts, and used it as an outline for what she could say!

Also, both my uncle and great uncle had the health and strength to sing. And the pastor gave a message as powerful as my grandmother would have wanted, with the Gospel proclaimed and glory given to her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.



I do want thank you for your support and prayers. The Lord has truly upheld us during this time, and His orchestrating hand has been demonstrated o'er and o'er.  Also, thanks for reading my posts as they tend to be on the long side! Smiley

And, Walfredo, if you haven't called your grandparents already, I hope you will soon.
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He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.  - Jim Elliot

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Re: To every thing a season, to every time a purpose
« Reply #10 on: June 25, 2009, 11:15:14 AM »

Great stuff!  Thumbs Up

 Angel

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Re: To every thing a season, to every time a purpose
« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2009, 11:46:24 AM »

You're an amazing young lady Ms. Eagle. And my deepest condolences to you and your family. I'm starting a new post today in the prison Chapel, I'll make sure to say a little prayer at some point.
 Angel
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