A little late in posting this, but that is a whole other post for next time.
Honoring Memories…isn’t that something we should all take part in? Not just honoring them, but taking part in making them? Even when its difficult? It sure feels right. This last weekend, my hubby and I made the trip up north to do just that…clean stones and add the beauty of flowers to their gravesite. You know what I loved even more than honoring them in this way? On a cloudy morning we all met up in the most unlikely place…the cemetery. But it just seems right.
You see, my family were the care takers of that very cemetery all the time I was growing up and even after that for a while. We did the mowing and trimming of the lawn, disposed of dead flowers, set flowers back up when they had fallen over, watered them, and brushed off the stones of all in the sweet people on the hill. So it seemed right to now be there with my boys and grandson to do the same for a couple that had done this for years; my parents. Flags were flying proudly on the gravesite of those who served. As we all met up, God gave me a glimpse in a moment in time to notice…my boys coming from their homes, traveling the distance in bad traffic just to meet up with us to help clean and trim out everything in honor of their grandparents. As I watched their interaction with each other, greeting each other with a hand shake and then doing the same when my brother came to meet up at my folks gravesite, it made me smile. The respect shown to one another was something that just tickled me as their mom. Oh how I wish my folks could have experienced this part of the kids’ journey and watched the kind of people they have grown to be. I was proud of the way I was brought up, of the way that I had raised my boys, and how God kept us all safe and still together. For a mom with more days behind her than before her, it was very special moment for me to see once again, the faithfulness of God. My life may not turn out how I expected it to years ago, but it is great none the less! My boys would do what ever is possible for each other…and as a family, we would do the same. We all paid honor to our family, and then spent some time together over food before we went home. What a joy! Thank you to my sweet son Jesse, who bought us all a burger! Those sweet times are what it is all about! It was also a legacy for my grandson to see his dad and uncle and Grandma and Papa showing respect to the memory of family. This is what “being in the present moment” is all about. I could have just missed it, but God nudged me just in time to see it through His eyes. That made me smile and feel so proud of them! Maybe it was just to encourage me… I think so. I’m so grateful. I’m thinking my parents were glad to see us gathered too…the gift of presence.
My hubby and I then went on to honor family on my dad’s side. One was my Grandma, my dad’s mom, who died a year or less after I was born. I had a different kind of
conversation with her this time because I had been where she came from in Norway. I have learned some things about her life that brought me closer to knowing who she was. There were also some of my family with just tiny tin plaques that I prayed, that if I had the money in the future, I will put a nice stone in its place. I know my dad wanted to do that, and maybe God will allow me to do that one day instead. The memories flood my soul as I walked around. Good family times of sharing and helping each other. We were raised in community a lot more as I was growing up. Family helping family when needed. It brings me back to the thought of what I want to be remembered for…what I hope people will remember about my life and focus. It’s not over yet, so there is work to be done. There are gatherings to be had, and reunions to plan, food to be shared, and love to be given.
It was a good day. I left knowing my efforts were rewarded by God’s faithfulness to answer prayer. He can do what we can not. I like to think of God bringing my parents over to Him and pointing down at us that day and saying, “Look at that…all of them together, loving on each other, paying honor to your memory. You led well. Well done good and faith servants.”
Lifting my mocha cup to lives well lived!
Until next time…
~JoAnn
journeysofmyheart.com 