Family Loss, A Community Loss

This morning my daughter called around 7:30. She told me that Matt's grandma Mo had passed away. Mo was in her 90's. She had surgery last week for a possible hernia. It turned out there was no hernia, but malignant tumors on her intestine. They closed her up and told the family the bad news. She was being sedated and she did not know the outcome of her surgery. The family decided they would tell her when she was a little better. The next day she took a turn for the worse and her kidneys were failing. They moved her to hospice and she passed away peacefully. What a life Mo had. She was married to a wonderful man. She had three children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mo was a character and she was a good christian woman. You never had to guess what Mo was thinking, because she was going to tell you like it or not. Mo was in my circle at the church and although she was 90 she wanted to help in the kitchen when it was our turn to have our monthly gathering. We would put her on a stool and give her some napkins to fold or anything she could do sitting down she just wanted to help. Mo started to lose her sight many years ago and had to move in with her daughter. I know it wasn't easy on her to leave her home and it wasn't easy on her daughter to take in a 90 year old who was set in her ways. I love to hear my son-in-law tell stories about her. They would eat at her house once a week. Matt said she had been a fantastic cook in her day, but as she lost her vision sometimes meals had sugar in the meat loaf and salt in the chocolate cake. She loved her family and they loved her. She had a zest for life that made her an avid Kentucky fan and a great fan of the Lord. Her family knows that she is home with her Heavenly Father, her husband is there as is her son who passed away a few years ago. Dolly is in the presence of the Lord and surrounded by her loved ones who passed before her. Think about how many years since she got hugged by her mom and dad, brothers and sisters, husband and child. Dolly was the lady who always sang and many more at the end of Happy Birthday. I will never forget that about her. I am happy she will now have forever and ever to sing and dance and be surrounded by those who love her. I know her family here will miss her, but God is gracious and good and they can know they will see her again someday...

Valentine's Day Wish

I have thought long and hard about Valentine's Day and what it is about. My 11 year old grandson came in today and said they don't celebrate Valentine's day in Jr. High. He is much to cool for cards and candy. Isn't that sad... My 7 year old granddaughter came in a little later and was so excited. She had a card holder shaped like a Valentine that she had made filled with cards and another bag filled with candy and leftover brownies and cookies. She was so thrilled and wanted to show me every card and who gave them to her and how one little boy turned red when he gave her his card with a sentiment that read Ride with me on our bicycle for two. Cute,but certainly not anything to turn red over. She said he turned red because he loved her and now the whole class knew. I loved it and I remember treasuring those valentines when I was about her age. I just thought isn't it sad that in just a few short years she will be 11 and will no longer get the cards and treats and sentiments that let her know how much her friends love her. When I told her Troy didn't get any cards or candy she quickly dug in her bag and gave him a piece of a Hershey bar given to her by her teacher. He didn't realize the importance of that little sacrifice. I want them to always love each other that way. She felt kind of bad he didn't have a bag of cards and a bag of treats. She shared her most valuable gift of the day. I wish we would could remember everyday to let those around us know how much they are loved. It doesn't take much to remind them, a piece of a hersey bar, a cup of coffee brought to them with love, ironing a shirt and bringing it to them when they get out of the shower, or just a kiss on the cheek and a thank you. I'm not into a huge fanfare over Valentine's day. I have those little moments everyday from the man I love that let me know how much I am loved. My kids and grandkids show me with pictures for my refrigerator or little hearts cut out for my mantel. God has truly blessed me with a loving family and loving friends. Love is everything.....This Valentine's Day I wish you Love.

Valentine