Good Saturday/Sunday to you from our corner of the world where weather has been and continues to be the topic of conversation. A lot of rain came this week, a few storms, and a tornado damaged crops southeast of us. East of us an hour they had 11 inches of rain in 24 hours?! Flooding followed in some areas and there are still a few flood watches being forecast. Definitely needed the moisture but it came hard and fast. We missed the storm and tornado warnings on Friday as we had packed up and left to go to the Twin Cities for an overnight stay.
That leads in to another more important topic of conversation~~ We were able to gather family outside for the inurnment service for my sister Jo who died last December. It was extremely hot and humid, her favorite kind of weather! About 50-60 of us came together. The pastor did a wonderful job, we sang two of her favorite hymns, and were able to put her urn into it's spot overlooking nature at it's best. Everyone then went with their "kids" and grands to eat at their favorite places before heading to my niece and her husband's beautiful backyard to have a celebration of her life. Everyone who wanted brought photos, there were two beautiful cakes and some of Gr. Jo's favorite Starbucks, besides soft drinks that kept everyone nourished. We all shared some wonderful stories that captured her essence. She was a faith-filled, family loving, fiercely passionate woman who loved to talk politics and religion. She loved staying connected with her family. Whenever one of the grands was dating someone, she would want to know two things.....are they Lutheran? and what political party did they line up with~ hers being the right one of course!!! After sharing stories that had us all laughing and wiping a few tears, we sang the extended family "song"....the chorus of You Are My Sunshine", and the song she sang when she called or was with family for everyone's birthdays....Her kids, their spouses, the grands, their spouses, etc. She sang this song until the last month of her life when she was too weak to do so. Some of us are carrying the tradition on for her....
"A happy birthday to you.....a happy birthday to you..
Every day of the year, may you feel Jesus near....
A happy birthday to you....a happy birthday to you...
The BEST that you ever did have. "
I know some in my family have kept recordings of her singing that song on their phones to play back. They are even more precious now.
We stayed in a hotel Friday night with two of our kids and their families. It was the first time we had been in hotel since Dec. 2019 and most of the time we wore a mask when out of our room and sometimes we didn't. It was a mixed bag on what to do with the variant causing so much havoc. We all wore masks at the memorial service, but in the spacious back yard we gathered in we did not. Although a lot of hugging went on. It was the first time we saw our son Mark and his Noah in 20 months! Sooooo good to be with some of our kids. Sad for those who could not come. It was a true gift to see so many extended family! Some flew in from AZ, Boston, South Dakota, and Texas. Others came from Iowa, Wisconsin, and around MN. What a blessing!
We came home last night, unpacked, found something to eat, and were in bed and asleep by 9:30. This morning we watched church from our living room sofa and recliner cuz...........I think we are feeling the trip! Aren't we blessed to be able to do that! I go to Facebook, get the service on their and cast it onto our TV and there it is on a big screen and in living color! When I get complacent about worshiping or listen to others complain about having to mask up, etc. to go to church I cannot help but think about all those who have an "underground" church so they will not be killed for believing in Jesus. And here we are.............Wake up people! Stop the entitlement attitude and make it a gratitude attitude for this country~ flaws and all!
So, what am I grateful for today? For being able to travel and have this service for this precious complicated, passionate, caring, woman who loved her family and her Lord Jesus. I am grateful she took me in with her hubby and raised me with her family giving me what I longed for. I am grateful for what she taught me about God, for sending me off to Bible College, and for praying Joel into my life~ literally. I am grateful for being with my extended family, hugging again on my sister Jan and others, and for being with some of our kids. I am grateful for the legacy, Gr. Jo leaves behind and is now moving through the next generations. Grateful for a beautiful service, a wonderful celebration. So grateful.
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