Debbie Kanz
Dear Mom,
I’ve been trying to decide what I would like to say today. Looking back over the years, I remember always having you there to cheer us on in whatever we were doing. You came to all of our school events and were always there to help complete any projects we may have to do. You were so dedicated to us that you always put our needs before your own. You were always happy to listen to whatever I had to say, even if it was late and you were tired. I don’t think I realized until I was older and had my own children, how tired you probably really were. You worked full-time and took care of our home and family and never complained. Your family was your life. You loved your grandchildren so much and you were always ready for a trip to the park or lunch at McDonalds. Even as you were declining, you would always ask about everyone and wanted to hear what we were all up to. You loved to see pictures and hear stories of our daily lives. The highlight of your week was to get together with us for Sunday dinner which we were able to continue to do until the end of February. When you went to the hospital in March, you really loved to see us all as visitors. You even were cracking jokes with the kids.
But I know you were very tired and had been through so much over the past year and a half since you broke your hip. Your earthly body was wearing out but we could definitely see the peace of God on your countenance when we would visit – even if you were too tired to wake up. We knew you could hear us and we were very grateful for any extra time that God gave us with you, especially that we all got an opportunity to say good-bye, even Meghan who made it home from New York. We could tell by facial movements that you were hearing us and knew that we were with you.
I’m very thankful that we were able to be with you as you passed on to your new home in heaven!
I think the greatest gift you gave us was unconditional love. You always let us know that no matter what we might do, you would always love us and always be there for us. What a great gift to leave us with and what a great example of the love of God.
This verse from Colossians comes to mind when I think of you.
“Therefore as chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:12-14
On this Good Friday, I am thankful that there is life beyond the grave. My devotional this morning said -- Yes, the grave has its tears. Even the Lord of Life wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus. He knew we would feel the pain of loss but because of him it does not need to be a permanent loss. Because of him it is only a temporary loss, a loss like saying goodbye at the train station or the airport, a loss tempered with the joy that one day we will be standing at the “arrivals gate,” receiving the one to whom we had bid a temporary farewell. So as we say good-bye today, I am so grateful that we know we will see you again one day in Heaven!
I love you, Mom.