30 November, 2016

Run, Run, As Fast As You Can...


November started out as a promising one, my plans for daily sequential thankfulness posts were sadly and profoundly interrupted by the death of my precious mother-in-law. Now here we are, on the last day of November. Time waits for no one, especially this blogger. I will close out the month with one, last catch-up post, one that is punctuated with moments of pure grace; as my life over the past week has been. Please accept my gratitude for all of your kind thoughts and words in response to my last post; indeed, my mother-in-law was a treasure. Last Wednesday, following her memorial service, the family gathered at Mom's home one final time to share food and reflect on her life, "the one that made all of our lives better because she was a part of them", these are my daughter-in-law's words, I couldn't ever describe Mom more appropriately. This photo, left, of Mason, was taken in Mom's back yard that afternoon. This is but one of those God-given moments of grace. For this glorious moment in time, I am grateful.
Mom was an organist. The one thing the grandchildren have always loved, over the years, and now the great-grandchildren after them, is to sit on the organ bench and play; here are three of them doing just that. One last concert, one more grace moment; and a snapshot to cherish the memory.
One more gathering in Mom's living room, the site of every holiday gathering for as long as I can remember. We remain grateful for all who could be with us last week, Mom's loving spirit blessed us and bound us together in affection and appreciation for each other. Those moments of grace kept on happening: free and undeserved gifts manifested in countless blessings, one after another. Thanksgiving happened, it remains a blur, generous amounts of food arrived here and was all skillfully prepared and served, dozens were fed. Slowly, one by one, the leave-taking of each friend and family member happened. Today it's just us again; all too suddenly, November is over. 
We won't be "just us" for very long though. It's time to make new memories: we will have all four grandchildren in two days for a cousins weekend.  I have already begun the preparations for a house building extravaganza. 
There are many activities planned for the little ones, bring on December, we're getting ready for Christmas! Time may fly but I have taken a deep breath, counted my blessings along the way, and with God's help and a grateful heart I am ready to get back in the race. "Run, run, as fast as  you can-- you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread man!"
Life is Good!

On this, the thirtieth day of November, 
I remain thankful to God for a life
punctuated with moments of pure grace.

9 comments:

Bibi Chats said...

I am sorry to hear your mother in law has passed on. Thank you for always sharing the good and hard times in your life. You have a wonderful way with words that in time, should the need happen, will help the rest of us. Wishes for a peaceful Christmas and a fun time with your little people. Liz

jude's page said...

Your words sum it all up beautifully, glad you have such good memories as you mourn the loss of your MIL. Enjoy the weekend with the little ones.Sounds like lots of fun.

cityquilter grace said...

such a moving post...time indeed continues to move on, the blessings of her life will continue on thru your little ones and beyond...i remember my great-grandparents very well..blessings to you and your family as you continue to mourn...

Janet O. said...

I feel your gracious spirit in your writings. What a loving family, and a tribute to the woman that brought you all together to celebrate her life.

Quiltdivajulie said...

Truly a beautiful post - thank you for sharing your heart.

sandra said...

A beautiful post.I love your daughter-in-law's comment. Id like to live a life so that is my epitaph! Enjoy your time making memories with your Grandchildren.

SADLOVE said...

I am sorry to hear your mother in law has passed on. Thank you for always sharing the good and hard times in your life.
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