Dear Daughters,
Last night I watched Grandma take her last breath, held her hand and said good-bye.
Throughout the evening various members of the family were taking turns sitting, singing and praying with Grandma. It was obvious the end was near, the breathing becoming more shallow and fitful. During the past four days we have had so many beautiful memorable moments with our friends, our flesh and blood family along with our new-found Hospice family.
As Grandpa said, What would we do without family? That is a question I’m glad I won’t ever have to answer.
Grandpa was the first person to come into the room after Grandma passed. He had made the trip from the den to the bedroom, where she lay, countless times in the last few days. He would come in, gently touch her and walk out again.
When I told him she was gone he sat down next to her and crumpled. I have never seen Grandpa cry before but he sobbed, saying
It was too soon, It was too soon. I was supposed to go first…
When it comes to death we don’t have a choice. Thankfully we have a loving Heavenly Father who knows what is best for us; His timing, His ordering of every detail is impeccable.
I was just thinking tonight about the last words Grandma said to me before she fell into the final coma. Those words were
Thank you.
Her life was a life of gratitude, and those words were uttered by her countless times each day after every little thing I did for her during the past two years.
I thank God for her life, her legacy of music given to us as a family as well as countless sacrificing acts of love that she gave to everyone who came near.
Thank you, Mom, for your life. Enjoy the beautiful music you are experiencing right now with a clear mind and a sound body.
I love you.
Love, Mom
The eternal God is our refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Deuteronomy 33:27 
My condolences to your family. May you know and feel God’s comfort
Thank you, Jeri.
Praying for you in your sadness…even though you’re rejoicing in the fact that she’s safe at Home with her heavenly Father! Blessings, love, and hugs to all of your family.? And your Dad too.
Yes, so many emotions and memories. Thank you, Karen.
I am so sorry for your loss. I remember how beautifully she would whistle. She was a beautiful lady
Thank you, Betty. She whistled beautifully up until a few months before she passed, played piano just a week before. Thankfully she passed on her gifts to many in our family.
Shari, what a blessing that your dear Mom was surrounded by the love of the most valuable people in all the world to her…her beloved family….and one breath she was with you all and the next breath in the very presence of the Lord. Shari, you are experiencing something first of the three of us, you, Wendy and I., the death of one of our parents. Weve talked before of what a blessing that we have each had with both parents as long as we have. Even though i cant know how you feel, i hqve often wondered when i was at the bedside of one whos just graduated to Heaven,……what are thwy feeling in those first moments? I wonder what it feels like to be transported to Heaven by angels….what must it feel like the moment you first enter Heaven? Im sure our minds xou,d never fully comprehend, but your Mom FULLY comprehends. She has seen Jesus face to face! She has walked down streets of gold and maybe even settling in to her mansion that God promised was waiting for her.
For that part, I rejoice that your Mom is free of the limitations of body and mind now forever! But please know that in all the forever rejoicing for her beginning of a blessed eternity, I know she is missed greatly already, by you, your Dad and sisters and all the family and friends that knew and loved her so. For that part, my friend, we’re praying for grace and comfort that He is so gracious and plenteous to give…just when we need it. Please convey our sympathy to your Dad, Rhonda and Valerie and to Larry and the girls. We are very touched and moved as we have all watched this process happen with our parents, and now its beginning, the roll is being called up yonder, starting with your Mom. Shari, I love you. Kathryn
Thank you, Kathryn. Yes, I have wondered all those things as well – what will it be like to step into heaven? One day we’ll know, but in the meantime we will continue to fight the good fight of faith here on earth. Thank you for your prayers, and I will pass on your kind words to the others.
Beautifully written word to honor your mother and grandmother. Praying for God’s comfort and strength for your family.
Thank you for the prayers, Shill.
You have done a beautiful thing for your mom in providing her care the last two years of her life. May God ease your sadness. May He fill the emptiness. May he bless your time with family as you gather to remember your mom. Hers was a life well-lived. Harry has fond memories of your mom working with him on the accordion and working with the Five Derbies. She must have been very patient to take that on! And I remember that when we first moved to Idaho, your mom invited us to have Thanksgiving at her house because we had no family nearby. That was a thoughtful thing for her to do. We will always remember her with fondness. Sympathy and love to you all.
Oh yes, the Five Derbies. I still remember Mom writing out music for all those guys – they did such a great job! Thank you for sharing all those memories, Flora. It’s wonderful to hear what others remember.
I am so sorry for your loss and will be praying for you and your family. While I never knew your mom personally, I had a wonderful friendship with your oldest daughters when you lived in GR on Plymouth Terrace. I have many great memories of your home and your wonderful family.
May the peace of Christ be with you.
How wonderful to hear from you, Amy! Yes, we have such fond memories of you and your family as well. Jodi and Stephanie are both coming out for the funeral. Thank you so much for your prayers. I hope all is well with you and your parents.
Dear Shari,
Thank you for your heartfelt post about the passing of your Mom. Your blogs are just amazing. It is very difficult to lose a loved one no matter young or older. Your Mom was a huge blessing to your family and friends and was a child of God. We are praying for God to comfort you and your family wherever they are, and may God encircle you with his loving arms and give you His peace. Give our love to all.
Keep in touch. Miss you. Loie
You’re welcome, Loie. You know grief so well, but also the comfort that only God can give.
This is perhaps the most lovely and poignant post on the loss of a loved one that I have ever read. Just beautiful. And what a tribute to such a gracious woman. My deepest condolences to you and your family.
“May the Lord bless you
and take good care of you.
May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
May the Lord look on you with favor
and give you peace.” ’
Thank you for your kind words, Henri.
Please accepts our condolences for your loss and Heavens gain. Your mother produced and supported a loving family of which I am a very, very small, but grateful part.
Bruce-Paul Scott
Thank you, yes we had an amazing mother and are so grateful for her heritage.
“Earth has no sorrow that heaven can’t heal…”
How true, Ruth. Time, and knowing that Mom is free of pain and confusion, happily in the presence of Jesus gives great comfort. I can still hear you singing that beautiful song in our living room on one of my minor days:)