We took what might have been our last trip to Alabama yesterday. After 89 years, my Nanny passed away.
We have been going to Cullman, Alabama (a place not many have heard of) since before I can remember.
The past few days have been "bittersweet", probably my least favorite word. I have cried over the loss of my Nanny. I have cried because she will never hold my sweet baby. I have cried because our kids will never have the memories of "Alabama" like I do. I have cried because death and change are never easy to deal with.
The only thing that brings me comfort, besides knowing God is holding me through this hard time, is knowing that He now holds my Nanny. She knew Jesus and what it meant to follow Him. And this gives me great peace. She will spend eternity with her Savior and one day I will join her. Yesterday, some said goodbye to Nanny, but me, I just said I'll see you later.
None of this changes the fact that my heart is aching, but the peace that comes from God overwhelms those feelings of grief. Selfishly, I wish she were still here, but deep down I know this isn't a time of sadness, but of celebration.
My Nanny's death didn't come as a surprise and she knew where she would be forever once she left this earth. What about you? When will your time come? To where will you go? Will He hold you? I hope you'll seek out answers to these questions and find out who Jesus is and what that can mean for you.
I love you Nanny! You have left a legacy that is far more than you could've imagined and by a simple decision you made at some point in your life-to trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior. In the end, this decision was the only one that mattered-- not what job you chose, how many kids you had, where you lived, who you knew, how much money you had, what kind of clothes you wore, what car you drove-- none of those things mattered. At your service no one talked about those things. We all talked about where you are spending eternity and I'm thankful that you made that clear for us! The seeds of your faith are deeply rooted in your grandchildren and great-grandchildren and I can't imagine the blessing that was to you while you were here.
I hope you didn't squeeze anyone too hard when you were giving out hugs in heaven! For me it's not goodbye, it's see you later. And as sad as I am that you're gone, I am thankful that He holds you, healed and restored.
