She's In Heaven

Hi Everyone! Sorry I haven't kept you posted on this site much, but I haven't had access to a computer much. Just wanted you to know, Mom reached Heaven's gates at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday evening, August 5th. She is now rejoicing with all her family and friends that have gone on before her; her Mom, her aunts and uncles, her SIL Markey, Bro. & Sis. Fritz, Connie Kelly and so on. Her nurse Karen was in to check on her that afternoon and she told us our time with her was very short. We called Dad in from outside (he had some hoeing to do in the garden :) and she gave him the news. He did really well with the news, he knew his bride was just about to reach her final destination. Dad has a very square head on his shoulders, he thinks very clearly and knows when to accept reality. He told me this morning, as he motioned towards Mom's bed "that isn't living and we know Mama wouldn't want to be this way very long".

She went very peaceful with all of us kids and Dad around her. Her brothers, her sister and her SIL were there as well. We all sang her quietly into Heaven, we were singing her the "Amazing Grace" medley that we have sang for years, when she took her last breath. We were on the part that says "and when the battles over, we shall wear a crown..." I felt that was a very appropriate part for us to be on. Of course several of us weren't singing, for the tears of sadness and happiness were consuming us. Mom has fought cancer on and off for 14 years, beginning with breast cancer in 1994, then bone cancer 2003 and liver cancer in 2005. She was extremely strong through the whole process, she didn't ever want to talk about dying, she LOVED living! We know she is TRULY LIVING this morning and will continue to live on forever, she is now with her Jesus! I know all of us have many sad days ahead, but it is such a comfort to know that she is in Heaven and that we have a great reunion day ahead!

Her viewing is on Thursday, August 7th from 2-8:oo p.m. and on Friday, August 8th from noon-2:00 p.m. Her funeral is on Friday, at 2:oo p.m. where we will give our Mama her final earthly celebration! These will all take place at my sister's church, the Central Michigan Free Methodist Church, as we knew Mom's chuch wasn't nearly big enough.

One more interesting little thing, she passed away on Bro. and Sis. Fritz's anniversary, she was a member of "their church" for 40+ years. When I heard that I thought, WOW isn't God's timing great! She probably started singing with them and was enjoying a piece of anniversary cake, their daughter said : ) I will leave you with a poriton of a song, written by a church friend of ours, David Gilbert (go to holinesscds.com for the rest of the words and to purchase a cd).

The Long Awaited Home
"Now she's in Heaven
No more tears will ever dim her eyes
She's with the Savior
Where no pain will ever make her cry
She's by the Tree of Life
It's leaves have healed her of all fear and strife
Now she's in Heaven her long awaited home"
*Thanks Dave for allowing me to use this for this post!