When the perishable
puts on the imperishable,
and the mortal puts on
immortality,
then shall come to pass
the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up
in victory.”
O death, where is your
victory?
O death, where is your
sting?
…But thanks be to God,
who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57
This
weekend, I opened a Gaither Homecoming CD and listened to it for the first
time. I bought it last November and
planned to give it to my Aunt Margaret for her birthday. But, I forgot to give it to her. I thought I would give it to her this
year…but I didn’t know where it was, and in the hustle-bustle of the party planning
for my dad’s birthday, the thought slipped my mind again. She loved southern gospel, as do I.
I don’t
believe I was named for my aunt, my dad’s sister. It’s my understanding that Dad just liked the
name, "Margaret." She and I shared a common
dislike of the name, though I’ve grown to like it more over the years. Margaret means pearl. My aunt was definitely a pearl.
She was
called “The General” by her family. She
was always planning a trip here or there. When she
instigated those many vacations, she did her research, planning what to do
and see. She enjoyed life, and she
enjoyed our family being together. She
was always considerate towards those around her…making sure we were
comfortable. She was generous not only with
her time, but with her things as well.
She gave to those in need. She
was a woman of profound faith…she didn’t worry (and would fuss a little at my
mom for worrying). She was a pearl
indeed, a most precious gem of gems.
She and my
dad had become very close over the years since retirement, and they were often
plotting a new vacation, or a chance to visit. They shared a "love" of coupons and vitamins and
herbs. My extended family likes to get
together…we don’t do it near enough…but The General sure did her part in visiting. Just a few short months ago, Ole Boy and I,
along with my parents, my sister and her husband, took a trip to Branson, Missouri. Aunt Margaret, as always, had a suggested
itinerary…and as always, a very good one, at that.
I had a
connection with her that perhaps came from my answering for her repeatedly over
the years, only to realize that someone was addressing the “other”
Margaret. She laughed at my
corniness, the crazy comments I would interject into conversation. When I said the password was “BR549,”
she knew immediately where that originated.
She loved me because I was family, but she liked me, too. She made sure that I knew she did.
Two
weekends ago, we celebrated my Dad’s 80th birthday. His birthday wasn’t until Wednesday, but we
celebrated early on the weekend for the convenience of those who would travel
to help celebrate. Aunt Margaret’s
birthday was two days before Dad’s. They
liked to get together each year for a birthday dinner…but this year, Margaret
wouldn’t hear of sharing the party, even though her birthday came first.
Aunt
Margaret and Uncle Junior left for home on Monday, November 18, her
birthday. There was an accident, and the
Lord saw fit to call her Home.
I imagine that there was a grand reunion, and perhaps the very best of
birthday celebrations. On that day, she stepped
out of time and into “right now.” Right
now, she is visiting with our Lord Jesus, my grandparents, and friends and
family that went on before her. Right
now, they are happy, pain free, healed and healthy, and in the presence of the
Lord they served so diligently here on earth. Right now, and forevermore, oh, the music I am sure they are enjoying…far better than the CD I
never gave her.
He will swallow up
death forever,
And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces…
And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces…
Isiah 25:8
I will miss her; her beautiful spirit, her laugh, her presence. She was loved. My Uncle
Junior could use your prayers. He is
still recuperating in the hospital, and will soon move to rehab. He is a very dear man, also a treasure to our
family.
Update on Uncle Junior...after seven months in and out of the hospital and rehab, he went to Home to Jesus on Father's Day, 2014. Kind of a fitting day to meet God, I think. How I miss these two birds.
Update on Uncle Junior...after seven months in and out of the hospital and rehab, he went to Home to Jesus on Father's Day, 2014. Kind of a fitting day to meet God, I think. How I miss these two birds.
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