Just for Fun

It’s Been One Long Week

Elisha

mamma christmasIt’s been one long week since I received the phone call that jolted me out of bed and had me driving like a maniac to my Grandma’s house. It’s been one long week since I watched the helicopter life flight her to the emergency room. It’s been one long week since I started staying up at night praying…no…begging God to give me one more Friday lunch with her. It’s been one long week.

During this past week, I have slowly watched her lose her strength and spunky attitude. I have watched as her body has gone limp and her breathing has slowed…sometimes stopped. I have watched as her eyes go from slowly opening for a few seconds at a time to not opening at all. In fact, it’s been four days since I have seen those beautiful brown eyes look up at mine. Our conversations have only consisted of me talking and her occasionally nodding “yes” or “no” to my questions or stories. It’s been one long week of me looking back over the years and torturing myself with all of the things I wished I had done or said when I had the chance. It’s been one long week.

But as this long week has come to a close and a new season has started here on earth today, the final chapter to my Grandma’s life has also come to a close, and a new season with a new life has begun for her in heaven. She has had one long week, and I’m excited for her and thankful for the joy and relaxation I know she is experiencing. She always had the biggest and most beautiful smile, and I can’t imagine how much bigger it just got.

I’m also thankful God allowed me to have one more Friday lunch date with her yesterday. Did she eat with me? No. Did she tell me stories or talk about what the neighbors have been doing? No. Did she wave goodbye and say “Come back” as I drove away? No. But what she did do was flicker her eyelids and let out a big sigh as I stroked her forehead and reminded her it was Friday and what I had brought us for lunch. I believe that even though it wasn’t a typical Friday afternoon lunch date, she still enjoyed my company as she peacefully listened to my stories.mamma turns 91

I will miss the moments we had together on earth, but I know the time we spent with each other is just a short speck compared to the eternity I will one day have with her in heaven. I look forward and can’t wait until our next lunch date as she talks non-stop about what she has been doing and who she has been talking to while she was waiting for me. My sneaky suspension is that when I arrive in heaven, I will find her to be the woman in charge of feeding all the animals, and when she finally sees me again, she will drop everything to tell me all the details about her new neighbors. I believe she might even already have a plate full of bologna sandwiches, her homemade pimento cheese spread, sour cream, and onion Pringles, and half a banana ready for me. My fingers are crossed that she will have made her famous upside-down pineapple cake too. I may have had one long week, but thinking of the day when we reunite gives me peace and makes me giddy inside.

I love you, Grandma, and I’m going to miss you and the fun you brought to my life. We were like two peas in a pod, and I’m going to miss you in my pod. I’m also going to miss the random and off-the-wall gifts you put in our Christmas stockings each year, but don’t you worry; I will make sure I pick up where you left off. Cans of black olives, Sudoku puzzles with instructions to only use them in the bathroom, chip clips, toothpaste, and cute cat calendars will always be found underneath the family Christmas tree. I promise that bologna sandwiches will always be eaten with the memory of you; orange slices will readily be available in my house. As long as my husband doesn’t catch me, no stray animal will ever go hungry in my backyard. It’s been one long week, but I’m thankful for the life you have lived and the memories we have made. Until we meet again…

mamma zack wedding

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100 thoughts on “It’s Been One Long Week”

    1. yes lots of celebration is to be had for the life she lived and the life she is living now in heaven.

  4. I’m so sorry, Elisha. My heart broke losing my grandma early this year. I know how hard it is. So glad you take solace in reuniting with her.

  5. What a wonderful legacy your Mamma has given to you. I’m so glad she’s in paradise and not in pain anymore, and that you were given one last Friday lunch together, but my heart hurts for you that you don’t have the other half of your pea pod with you on earth anymore.

    1. It was bittersweet but I can’t help but get the biggest smile on my face when I think about how much fun she is having.

  7. What a wonderful story of her life. She will always live on in you. What a joyful reunion you will have someday in heaven!

  8. Oh, Elisha, I am so so sorry for your loss. You are right though – you’ll see her again! I’m thinking and praying for you and your family during this hard time xo

    1. Thanks girl! I am not sure why you picked the color yellow for the booties but I want you to know yellow was her favorite color 🙂 I also got the package on Josiah day. 🙂 God is good to show his face in times of sadness.

      1. He definitely does!

        I’m happy you got the package on Josiah day. Yellow was the color of choice for the booties that go under your pillow (when I was researching superstitions) – but maybe it was an extra little sign since it was your Mamma’s favorite color 🙂

  9. Hugs! It will be a beautiful reunion in Heaven and all of the tears of missing her will be wiped away by our beautiful Savior. I loved the part where you said you can imagine her feeding all the animals in Heaven – I have 2 fur babies in Heaven, Sweetpea and Pebbles, and it warms my heart to think of her loving on them. XOXO, love ya girl. I’m praying for you and your family during this time.

  10. Oh Elisha, I’m so very sorry for your loss. It breaks my heart, but you are right, she is with God now and you will see her again one day. Sending prayers to you and your family and a big warm hug.

  11. Oh… Elisha, I am so sad for your loss… I am glad you had some time to spend with her and have all the fond memories of her. Hugs to you…

    1. Thank you! I wish I could have kept making memories with her but I am grateful for the ones I have.

  12. Been thinking of you and praying for you all week. So sorry your Mamma won’t be here to hold Josiah on this side of heaven. But your heart and attitude are so uplifting and such an example. Thinking of you dear. Looking forward to hearing of your happy reunion in heaven years and years and years from now.

    1. Thank you so much Ria! You have no idea how much it means to me to know that you were thinking and praying for me this week. I can’t wait to introduce you to her one day 🙂 HUGS!!

  13. Oh, I am so sorry for your loss, and I know just what you’re going through. So glad your peace comes from the knowledge that you will spend forevermore with your sweet Mamma in Heaven. What a glad reunion day it will be. Thnking of you. Hugs!

  14. I’m so sorry for your loss. You truly had an amazing relationship and I hope that your child will one day have the same kind of relationship. What a blessing to have a grand-daughter like you. My heart goes out to you in your time of need <3

  16. I am so sorry to hear about your Mamma. She is truly such a special woman and I know she is watching over you and still going to play a big role in your life even though she may not be here physically. As I read this post, I thought of her being with your other loved ones on the other side… I am sure she now will be spending her time with Josiah until he joins you here on earth 🙂
    Thinking of you and sending you a big hug!

  19. You have written such a beautiful post in memory of your Mamma. I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for peace and comfort for you during this time. XOXO

  20. Big hugs! I lost several wonderful grandparents in the last 2 years, so I understand. What a party they have in heaven!

    1. amen!! I am so sorry to hear about your losses 🙁 I woke up sad today but it quickly turned into a smile when I realized how much fun she is having.

  27. Sweet, sweet lady, I am glad that you had this week with your Granma. I am glad her passing was a peaceful as it could have been. She sure left an amazing legacy in you, Elisha, and through that she will always be with you. Hugs, honey, and lots of prayers!

    1. Thank you so much. It seems all surreal at the moment. One day she is chowing down on a hamburger and the next day I’m giving her water with a sponge. Craziness.

  28. I’ve been there girl…my sweet grandmother passed away 3 years ago this month. I still think of her often, and wish she was here to experience all of this crazy baby business with me. Your faith and strong memories of time well spent with her will be the treasures that give you peace.

    1. Oh so sorry girl for your loss as well. It’s tough but yes you are right in the memories I shared with her do bring me so much peace and joy.

  29. What a blessing you two were in each other’s lives! She sounds incredibly warm, loving, and witty 🙂 Hugs and prayers to you and your family. The reunion will be awesome!

  30. Wow what a beautiful post.. I’m so sorry for your loss but love the story. It’s so special to have such a great relationship with your grandparent(s). You are one strong cookie!

    1. Thanks girlie. Some moments I can hold it together and then in the middle of sweeping the floor I can’t help but hit the floor and sob.

  31. Elisha, praying for you and the family to experience great comfort, peace, and strength as you press into the One who now holds Mamma in His everlasting arms.

    1. Thank you so much Evangeline! It does bring me comfort and peace to know where she spending eternity.

  33. I am sorry for your loss, sending big hugs and prayers to you. Rejoice knowing she is with our Lord and you will see her again someday ♥

    1. Thanks girl! Most of the time I am good but then I have brief moments when I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me. I don’t think it has sunk in yet.

  37. Elisha – you embody so many great qualities. I would imagine your Mamma played a role in this. I remember the pain of when I lost my grandmother 9 years ago. It’s unimaginable. I am so very sorry for your loss. But also thankful you were there with her. I’ll keep you and Mamma in my thoughts and prayers sweet girl. I know you will continue to rejoice her for years to come.

    Psalm 30:5
    Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

  38. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss / my heart goes out to you and your family as you say goodbye. Cherish these special memories. Hugs.

  39. Oh, dear Elisha!! I am SO sorry for your deep loss. Only Jesus can truly understand the depths of your grief. She sounds like such a sweet, precious lady, and I know she made a grand entrance through the gates of Heaven. What a wonderful consolation to know that she is with Jesus and will be from now on! One day, you will meet her there, and you will never have to say good-bye to her again. What a day that will be!! Until then, may Jesus hold you especially close as you grieve and miss her and long for your special times with her. Love you, sweet friend…I am so very sorry.

  40. She sounds like a beautiful soul. God has taken her in his arms. Sending you prayers during this tough time. I find my grandfather in my dreams once in a while and its a treat. Its like he isn’t in heaven and sitting right next to me. I hope she visits your dreams.

  41. This breaks my heart to read. I’m so glad you’re going to carry on her traditions. I’m sure that would make her very happy. *big hug*

  42. This is so beautifully written. Grandparents are so very special. I’m happy you were able to have one more Friday lunch with her. There is no doubt you will miss her greatly, but I’m hopeful you will find peace and comfort in the memories you have of your precious Mamma. Sending lots of hugs your way over the next few days, weeks, and months.

    1. Thank you so much Kari! It all still seems surreal to think I wont be walking over to her house or raiding her cabinets for Orange Slices anymore :/

  43. I am so sorry for your loss here on earth but rejoicing in what an amazing lady Heaven gained and knowing you will be reunited one day. oxox

    1. You had such a wonderful tribute. I have been asked to read my blog post but I’m afraid I couldn’t even read the weather report without sobbing. How did you manage?

      1. I was so nervous re: crying during my speech. I made sure that I bawled a lot (often when alone) in the days leading up to her funeral. Something that my sister said helped me, she said to picture Grandma still with us. Like she hasn’t left this earth. She recognized that this was bad advice re: accepting loss, but it was decent advice to just make it through the speech without totally breaking down and bawling. I also made sure that the toughest part of my speech was saved for the very end. I broke out in tears at the end, but people don’t seem to mind as long as they can still understand what you are saying. Are you debating if you’d be able to give a tribute?

  46. Our prayers for His peace and comfort are with you and your family, Elisha. Love to you and rest assured our Heavenly Father wraps your sweet Mamma in His warm embrace eternally now! Praise Him! xoxo

    1. Thank you so much! I know some days will be a breeze for me to laugh and rejoice knowing she is in heaven smiling big, but I also realize there will be moments when I will become selfish and cry my eyes out wishing she were still here with me. xo

  47. I am so very sorry to hear the Mamma passed, but I am so happy that you got one more Friday with her! You and your family are in my thoughts.

  48. So sorry for your loss, Elisha. But rejoicing that your grandmother is now basking in the Lord’s presence.

  50. I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s obvious how special your grandmother was to you. I know she is smiling down, proud of the woman that you are and are becoming.

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