a life of loving

Tuesday my Grandmother went to be with Jesus.  She had Alzheimer's for many years and had been in a nursing home for a little over 7 years.  Today we had her memorial service.  It was such a sweet service in memory of her.  Her life was ALL about love.  She loved her husband, her church, her friends, her family, and most importantly she loved Jesus.  

This is one of the very first pictures of grandma and me!

My grandmother was such a wonderful woman.  She was so giving.  She wanted to serve people. 

My grandmother loved to cook for us when we came to visit.  She always fixed us homemade pizza, pancakes, biscuits, cookies.  She always had ice cream in her freezer and would fix Cheerwine floats.  One of the best memories I have of my grandma is of her in the kitchen cooking.  

My grandmother loved her grandchildren.  My mom had my grandma fill out a special memory book for each of us girls.  She filled it out with her special memories about her childhood, my mom's childhood, and things that she loved.  This week is the first time that I have really read the book.  I was 7 when she gave it to me.  I didn't appreciate it then, but now I do.  I have loved reading her handwriting and have pictured her sitting at her kitchen table writing in the book.  I was able to share a couple of favorite things from the book at the memorial service.  One of my favorite stories is that an aunt of hers had come to visit when she was younger.  She gave her some advice that I agree with and love!  She said, "Lina, every morning, wear earrings, they brighten one's face!"  I love wearing earrings and like to think that grandma told me this at a young age and it has stuck with me.

My grandmother was a teacher.  She taught home economics and Sunday school.  I know my grandmother would be so proud of my teaching and she would have been my number one blog follower if she could!  She supported us in everything that we did.  She would always take time to come to awards day, our piano recitals, and birthday parties.  She would play with us, color with us, and even sit in the bathroom with us while we took care of our business.

My grandmother always smiled.  My sister and I made a slide show of pictures of her childhood, my mom and her sisters growing up, and the 7 grandchildren.  I have loved looking at the pictures and remembering her smile and her laugh. 

Today I am smiling for my grandmother because I know she is smiling.  She is smiling so big because she is with my granddaddy and Jesus. 

I am so happy that my grandmother can now walk, talk, eat, sing, and smile.  I rejoice that she has a new body and a new mind.  She doesn't have to depend on others to wheel her around or feed her.  She now gets to sit at Jesus' feet and worship him like she always longed to do!

I can't wait to be there with her, worshiping and praising Jesus!

We will miss her, but I am so thankful for the 25 years I was able to spend with her!