At 2:31 this afternoon, my Aunt Ruth was ushered into the presence of her Saviour. I think she was probably a lot more ready than the rest of us. Yesterday I called mom at the hospital and she told me, as difficult as it was, it was time to pray that God would take her home. Later that afternoon, as I was driving in my truck, I tried to pray that...I really did. But man, it was hard. I couldn’t quite bring myself to do it.
It’s a strange thing...the joy of knowing someone has lived their life well, mixed with the sorrow of not having them physically present in our lives anymore. I know in my heart that Aunt Ruth has met her Lord face to face, and is celebrating the new life she’s been given. She is surrounded by family and friends, and even as I write this I know she is joyful and at peace.
And while that gives me a deep comfort, of course there’s still a large part of me that mourns and misses her.
I am profoundly grateful for the family God has given me, on both my mom and dad’s sides, actually. The examples our grandparents and parents have set for us, my cousins and I...the Christian heritage we’ve been given...is not something I take lightly. We’re not a family without our problems and issues, and yet...the depth of love and support that exists between us is a huge blessing to me. Living where I live, and working with who I work with, I know that’s not always the reality for a lot of people.
This was reinforced for me once again, when mom told me of Aunt Ruth’s last few days here. My mom, my aunt and uncle and my grandma drove all night Saturday night, to get to Virginia in time to see their sister and daughter. The doctors had said that there wasn’t much time left (they were, perhaps, a little premature with that announcement). =) But nonetheless, the family rushed to be with her. All day Sunday, Aunt Ruth was not very responsive. She answered questions with just one or two words, and for the most part, just lay on her bed with her eyes closed. Many times she asked for her big brother, my Uncle Rob. Uncle Rob and his family weren’t going to be able to leave Ontario until Monday morning (to arrive Monday night), but chose to drive through the night as well on Sunday, to be with her as soon as possible.
Monday morning rolled around, and the entire family gathered together...and what a Monday it was. Mom said that Aunt Ruth was cracking one liner’s and giving everyone a hard time. She teased my Uncle Rob, she teased her husband, my Uncle Vince...she laughed and joked with everyone. This is what my Aunt Rhea wrote on Facebook about that day.
“Ruth, yesterday we were told it was a matter of hours. Today, so typical of your determination, you proved them wrong. Talked all day, staying ahead of everyone with your wit & feisty spirit, so animated & funny. Regardless of the future, today was a gift from God. We love you!"
That night she fell asleep and then didn’t wake up. She rested peacefully for two more days, with very little pain, and then this afternoon went to be with her Jesus. Mom and Aunt Rhea sat with her throughout the night last night...talking, reminiscing, praying, holding her hands. Mom said it was a special time, the three sisters together one last night. God is good.
Please continue to pray for my cousins and their families, Jack, Vince and Jeanine, and for my Uncle Vince. As well, for my mom and aunt and uncle and my grandma. Aunt Ruth has left a hole in our hearts that won’t ever quite heal in this world. But we’ll see her again in the next, and that gives us peace.
It’s a strange thing...the joy of knowing someone has lived their life well, mixed with the sorrow of not having them physically present in our lives anymore. I know in my heart that Aunt Ruth has met her Lord face to face, and is celebrating the new life she’s been given. She is surrounded by family and friends, and even as I write this I know she is joyful and at peace.
And while that gives me a deep comfort, of course there’s still a large part of me that mourns and misses her.
I am profoundly grateful for the family God has given me, on both my mom and dad’s sides, actually. The examples our grandparents and parents have set for us, my cousins and I...the Christian heritage we’ve been given...is not something I take lightly. We’re not a family without our problems and issues, and yet...the depth of love and support that exists between us is a huge blessing to me. Living where I live, and working with who I work with, I know that’s not always the reality for a lot of people.
This was reinforced for me once again, when mom told me of Aunt Ruth’s last few days here. My mom, my aunt and uncle and my grandma drove all night Saturday night, to get to Virginia in time to see their sister and daughter. The doctors had said that there wasn’t much time left (they were, perhaps, a little premature with that announcement). =) But nonetheless, the family rushed to be with her. All day Sunday, Aunt Ruth was not very responsive. She answered questions with just one or two words, and for the most part, just lay on her bed with her eyes closed. Many times she asked for her big brother, my Uncle Rob. Uncle Rob and his family weren’t going to be able to leave Ontario until Monday morning (to arrive Monday night), but chose to drive through the night as well on Sunday, to be with her as soon as possible.
Monday morning rolled around, and the entire family gathered together...and what a Monday it was. Mom said that Aunt Ruth was cracking one liner’s and giving everyone a hard time. She teased my Uncle Rob, she teased her husband, my Uncle Vince...she laughed and joked with everyone. This is what my Aunt Rhea wrote on Facebook about that day.
“Ruth, yesterday we were told it was a matter of hours. Today, so typical of your determination, you proved them wrong. Talked all day, staying ahead of everyone with your wit & feisty spirit, so animated & funny. Regardless of the future, today was a gift from God. We love you!"
That night she fell asleep and then didn’t wake up. She rested peacefully for two more days, with very little pain, and then this afternoon went to be with her Jesus. Mom and Aunt Rhea sat with her throughout the night last night...talking, reminiscing, praying, holding her hands. Mom said it was a special time, the three sisters together one last night. God is good.
Please continue to pray for my cousins and their families, Jack, Vince and Jeanine, and for my Uncle Vince. As well, for my mom and aunt and uncle and my grandma. Aunt Ruth has left a hole in our hearts that won’t ever quite heal in this world. But we’ll see her again in the next, and that gives us peace.
“To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forever more. Amen”
Aunt Ruth with her family...
With my cousin Jack...
With her grandkids...
1 comments:
Your mother is a truly inspirational person. I can only imagine that Aunt Ruth was much like her sister.
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