...hope

Today I grieve for the loss of my Grandmother. She passed away in the wee hours of the morning yesterday...(I haven't slept yet so it feels like today).

Renee and I were talking about this, and it's not sadness that she's gone. There's joy for that. There's joy because I know, and my family knows, that she's with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is that joy that helps me...it is that hope that I take refuge in.

No, I'm sad for my loss and the loss of her company for me and those around me.

I'm sad for myself that I will miss more times sitting on the couch with her catching her up on our family.

I am sad for my wife that she will not get to know my grandma better.

I'm sad for our boys; I'm sad that Quinlan will never get to meet his great grandmother.

I'm sad that Benard only started to know her.

I'm sad to watch my mother and father lose a person whom they loved so much, along with anyone else that knew her.

I'm sad that my siblings and I all have children we wish could know their great-grandmother better.

I have hope in her eternal life with God, and it is because of that hope that I have joy for what we remember and what we experienced.

I have joy in knowing that my grandmother got to spend time with Benard, and that she was able to see how full of life he is and how much he loves his great grandparents.

I'm happy that I got to introduce her to our younger son by way of a photo the last time I saw her.

I'm joyful that I got to hear her nag Grandpa about not forgetting the shopping list when he went out that day.

I'm content in knowing that I got to give her a kiss, tell her I loved her and give her a hug the last time I saw her...and that she did all those things back.

I'm grateful that I knew and loved her so much in my life.

I'm thankful that she was such an example of leaning on God for me and my family.

I'm overjoyed that my father can say he has no regrets in what was said and done in all their time together.

I'm awed at the love and peace that surpasses all understanding that is present in my life (thank you God).

Lord, we lift up our hearts to you, and thank you for the wonderful time we got to spend with your daughter, Ruby.

She was and is a wonderful woman that will be missed, remembered and always loved.

...i miss you and will always love you, grandma...