Even though I was running a bit behind as I headed out the door this morning, I stopped by my office to get the purplish-blue silk hydrangeas that I’d wanted to put on my mom and dad’s graves. They’d been in my office for quite some time because there was the long awaited ceiling and drywall projects, that led to the painting project and then the new floor… I seemed to push pause on what I’d planned to do. Don’t get me wrong, I am so thankful for the work that has been done at our home. The was a long season of wait and wait and wait, and then workers showed up, and many jobs are now complete!
And there was just a rightness about going to the cemetery today.
To every thing, there is a season.
And it just seemed right and fitting to go today.
After my hair wizard appointment, I called my grandma, and to my surprise, she said she’d love to ride with me to the cemetery. I was surprised because she’d not felt well this week. When I arrived, she had two visitors who were just getting ready to leave, and we started preparing for our outing of just a few miles down the road. After we changed her gown and robe, and got her safely, and ever-so-slowly to my car, I tucked a ruby, grapefruit colored blanket round her well-worn frame, and we were off.
I drove her to her husband’s grave first. Too feeble to even think of getting out on the uneven hillside, she shared memories and stories for hours in the car. As the sun shone brightly through the windshield, she shared her heart with such tenderness. Life and people had not always been so kind to her. I cried several times. The words that came forth were touching and so very tender. They seemed to meet me right where I was and minister love and care and goodness and glory all at the same time. She shared life experiences, hopes, and disappointments.
As I listened to her share her heart, I felt so blessed
Because in her life, she has been “put to the test”
And she loved well.
A life well lived
She did give –
And continues.
Though wronged at times, to the sinew.
At almost 93,
She is so very dear to me.
She asked me to part and comb her hair and spray it before we left. When I was a young girl, we would play beauty shop and I got to do her hair. So many sweet memories.
Beauty surrounds her home. Beauty that shows signs of age.
My grandfather’s foot stone and a block marking a place held. Though she talked about that place today…
Such a sweet expression.
She reminds me of Billy Graham here.
Kneeling at my mom and dad’s stone.
A fresh grave had been dug.
My dad’s parents.
Graveyards are a part of life.
There resides no pettiness, arguments or strife.
Yes, graveyards are a part of life.
Temporarily a home
For flesh and bones.
Though in the flesh, it is an end;
In The Kingdom, it is where life begins.
