Farewell for now...

Have you ever had a person in your life who you think will just be there forever? Fortunately, I have.


Mark and I have been together for 17 years (3 dating and 14 married). I met his grandmother, Margaret within the first few months of our relationship. He told me later that if Margaret had not approved of me he would have never married me! It's the truth. She was more of a mother figure to him than a grandmother. He valued her opinion greatly and so did I.

I loved her from the beginning. She was so vibrant and full of life; such a hard worker. She loved hunting and working bird dogs with her husband. She had a beautiful yard-full of flowers, potted plants and a vegetable garden in the back. She loved to fish and hang out on the lake. She was passionate about family history. On top of all of this, she was a fabulous cook! I never ate anything at her house that I didn't like.


Because she was 6 hours away, we only saw her a couple of times a year. We talked on the phone much more than that! I usually spoke with her once a week. Anytime something would happen here, no matter how trivial, I'd pick up the phone and let her know. Our girls came to know her, not as a great- grandmother, but as their grandmother too. They would mention her all the time. It was hard for Emma to understand why we couldn't go to "Mar-get's " house everyday.

On July 14 we got a call that Margaret had passed away. I honestly couldn't believe it-even though she'd not been doing well. I thought she'd always be there for me-to share advice, wisdom and support. 17 years is only a drop in the bucket to the time I wish I 'd had with her. I grieve for my loss, though, and not hers. Margaret is dancing right now on the streets of gold-all healthy and new. She waited 14 years to see her husband again and even longer to see her Savior.


We've surrounded ourselves with little things to remind us of her-her sewing box, her iron skillet she used to cook burgers for us, her jewelry box and even a little step stool that always set in her kitchen. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her. I still reach for the phone to call her. I'm so thankful that God gave us so much time with her. Time for my girls to get to know and love her. Time for my friendship to develop with her. We made lots of sweet memories that will always be with us. As my dear husband said while comforting me, "This isn't good-bye, it's just farewell for now. One day will all be together again."