A Sad Goodbye...3/17/06

Granny 3/27/04 with Mom (Pam) and Step-Dad Gerry) & then with me(Shae) in the fall 2004.

With mixed emotions My family and I said goodbye to my granny at 4:30pm on 3/17/06. The last time I had spoken to her on the phone was in the early-mid part of last week a few days before she passed. She was unable to talk but she listened and patted my mother's hand as if in agreement to what we were saying. I was able to sing her our prayertime song and read her my poem previously written about her on 2/11/06. It was a bitter sweet moment because I was somehow letting her go and at the same time, I was hoping she was proud of what I had written about her and what she meant to my family and me.

I feel numb today regarding my emotion toward her death. I hear the words...she's gone...but it seems confusing, as if someone is speaking a different language. I really struggled on friday but never once have I ever questioned her faith or mine because we both know and believe in God's will. Granny's life celebration and funeral will occur on Wednesday 3/22/06 in Fayetteville, Ark.

I remembered a song that she loved, as it was sung at her brother (Golden Ward's) funeral years ago...so I thought I would share it with you...and most of you will probably know this familiar church hymn.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief And oft escaped the tempter’s snare By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share, Of those whose anxious spirits burn With strong desires for thy return! With such I hasten to the place Where God my Savior shows His face, And gladly take my station there, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear To Him whose truth and faithfulness Engage the waiting soul to bless. And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share,Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight: This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise To seize the everlasting prize; And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

I would also like to share that a previous client of mine...Derek...passed away this week. God called Derek to close his eyes and rest after a long battle. He was buried in the children's garden in Verona, MS on friday 3/17/06. Derek was 2 1/2 years old and was an exceptional little boy with a sweet spirit. He was a joy to work with and had a contagious smile regardless of the circumstance. He was a miracle baby that nobody thought would make it past his 1st heart surgery at birth. Please keep his family left behind in your prayers as well.

In Him, Shae