A 63 year dream…

Posted on June 30, 2007 by jlove

My Grandmother died this week at age 85. We will be burying her today. I was fortunate to have a relationship with her and know her for 30+ years, since many people don’t know their Grandparents that long.

The reason for my post is to make an observation and pay tribute to my heritage. She had a long life and shared most of it with my Grandfather - they were married for 63 years. WOW! It is wierd, but at work this week, I have found myself kinda proud to tell people how long they were married - as if I had something to do with it. :) I think it is a great accomplishment for them and for our family, and I know my life has been impacted by their commitment to each other. Having been married for only 8 years this week, I can only imagine what 63 years can be like.

The hardest part of this week for me has been watching my Grandfather have to let go of my Grandmother. She died b/c she fell and hit her head. One moment, they are together in the car, the next…separated by mortality. Even though I know that is how it is for everyone, it still just seems so sudden. I can’t imagine how it must feel to have your best friend of 63 years just gone in an instant.

About the title of this post…when my Grandmother was laying in the hospital and we were all in the room together, my Grandfather said something that will probably stick with me for a long time. We were trying to console him of course, and someone pointed out how long they were married and how wonderful that was. He sort-of paused, then commented, “Yeah, but it all seems like a dream now.” Can you imagine? 63 years just gone like a dream. I guess so, when you think about it. Forgive me for not looking up the passage, but I know that Scripture talks about how brief our life is when compared to the Eternal. How true that is.

I’ve often wrestled with living in the moment. So many times, I get caught up in memories of the past or in waiting for the future. I think one key to enjoying life is probably being able to enjoy, cherish and embrace the beauty of the moment…no matter how boring, exciting, sad or happy the moment is. I can only hope and pray that I’m able to live like that more and more each day.

Well, I hope you enjoy your day and find a way to live in the moment. I’m going to try to simply enjoy the moment of being with my family and remembering a lady who loved me and set a good example of commitment for us. What a wonderful blessing I have been given to watch part of a 63 year dream take place.

9 Comments »

Comment by Milly

July 1, 2007 @ 2:01 am

Prayers for you and your family.

Comment by Jenn

July 1, 2007 @ 7:14 pm

jlove,

That’s beautiful.

And even a little convicting. Perspective is an amazing thing. How/why is it that we so easily convince ourselves that the world we experience is actually reality? Thanks for that little reality check.

Know that our family is keeping your family - especially your grandfather - in our thoughts and prayers.

(Where’s that crying smiley when you need it?)

(Here ya go Jenn - Bri) :cry:

Comment by Brian

July 2, 2007 @ 9:51 am

Thanks for sharing this. There’s a lot of good insight in that post. I can only imagine being with someone for so long and then losing them unexpectedly like that. And I needed the reminder to live with a sense of primacy with what’s going on right now.

Many prayers for your Grandfather, you, and the rest of your family.

Comment by Kathy

July 2, 2007 @ 6:49 pm

My heart goes out to your granddad and your family. Thank you for sharing.

Comment by Dennis Laing

July 3, 2007 @ 8:13 am

I pray for God’s presence and the reality of Christ in your loss. That is a very moving tribute!

Comment by Lynn

July 3, 2007 @ 5:31 pm

What a poignantly beautiful post! It reminds me of my oldest daughter’s graduation exercises. One of the principals of the school had cancer this year, and had to undergo treatments, and fortunately, it was arrested. He spoke at the graduation, and one of his main points was that this life is a fleeting vapor, and it is how we live for eternity that counts in this life.

But because life is so fleeting, we do need to cherish the moments and people around us more — and that was your idea here.

I just finished a blog entry, hoping that July would not be as hectic as June was for me. But now I realize that June was just stuffed with a lot of things that matter most — and I am cherishing the memories now.

Your blog entry has helped me to be more thankful for the here and now of my life, and for that I thank you! I will be praying for your grandfather. These next few weeks and months will be difficult for him and I will pray that the Lord bears him up.

Comment by Clare

July 6, 2007 @ 8:05 am

I’m sure they stayed together just for you! :-)

Condolences. I’ve often said when walking into our family home that I still feel like my grandmother is just around the corner, or that Daddy is upstairs on his computer. My mother, who actually lives there, feels very differently, feels a clear sense of their “gone-ness.” I must say I’m glad I feel the other way, though I know they’re gone and a part of that great cloud. Rambling now.

Comment by jlove

July 7, 2007 @ 8:35 am

Thank you everyone for your kind words and prayers! Everything went fine last weekend with the funeral, although it was hard to watch my Grandfather say goodbye. I saw him again last night, and he seems to be in relatively good spirits, which is good.

Thanks again for your support and prayers!

Comment by TulipGirl

July 11, 2007 @ 11:59 pm

*tears*

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