Holy Ground

Last week was spent with family. My dad in law passed away and we spent an entire day waiting with Mom for Dad’s homegoing.

My sister texted me as we sat in that nursing home and told me that I was on “holy ground”. Indeed…..it was holy ground. That sacred space between this world and the next. Waiting for Dad to make his way into the arms of the waiting Father.

Last week was an honor and a privilege. It was a celebration and a heart ache. Those days, where time narrowed and focused on the life of one man….my dad in law. Time stood still….the world and it’s big issues were ignored and love and family time consumed us.

Memories were shared. Many heavy sighs were breathed. Tears and laughter mingled at the same time…. Hearts ached for those of us left behind and rejoiced for Dad who journeyed on ahead.

Memories of a man who loved to sing and play harmonica. Memories of a man who tilled the soil and milked cows…a man who was incredibly proud of his military service and a man who loved a good bag of jelly beans. We remembered a man who loved his wife and his family well.

Dad wasn’t perfect, but he was perfect for our family and for the life he lived. He left many memories for Mom, his children, grandchildren, family and friends and those memories will be passed along to his great grandchildren.

Looking back on that week brings the realization of what really is important. Living honestly, loving well, building relationships with family and friends and understanding that this life is not about us.

We stood in that cemetery on a beautiful morning. We listened to the pastor remind us that our hope is not in this temporary dwelling place…we saw my mom in law receive the American flag ….we heard the shots echo and the lonely sound of taps played in the distance.

We did not say good-bye as we stood on holy ground. We knew this was instead “till we meet again”. We got to see what a legacy really looks like ….faith….family….and how your life is lived in the time you are given.

Thank you Dad for the lessons you taught…not only in how to live life but how to leave this life for the next. You will be missed…till we meet again.

“You live to die….
you die to live.”
Ruth Fondse

35 thoughts on “Holy Ground”

    • thechickengrandma says:
      Reply

      Lar’s dad was 91 and has not known who we are for a few months. There would be flashes of recognition during those months which we cherished. He was content and happy till the end and that is really how he lived his life.
      Life is so often that balance between joy and sadness. I love that you used the word joy….so much more solid than happiness. Kind of like a deep undercurrent in a river.

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  3. peggyjoan42 says:
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    It is always sad to say goodbye to those we love. Yet, we know if God is first in their life – they go to a better place. So sorry for your family’s loss. God bless all of you Faye. Thinking and praying for your family.

    Liked by 1 person

    • thechickengrandma says:
      Reply

      Dad has been on hospice for a long while. We were told we could be with him and mom due to that fact. Once Dad had passed we knew we couldn’t stay with mom in the nursing home so we took her out and she stayed in a hotel with my sister in law and other family. We figured if she was going to have to quarantine once she got back after the funeral we might as well make it worthwhile and break her out for a few days. Those days were such a blessing as we got to hug her and sit with her instead of talking through a window.

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    • thechickengrandma says:
      Reply

      We were so grateful they allowed us in to be with him those final hours. We did take Mom out of the nursing home till after the funeral as she would have been in there alone. The days spent with her at the hotel were such a blessing.

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      • thechickengrandma says:

        They are doing well. Dad had alzheimers so it seems we said Good-bye some months ago to the Dad we knew and who knew us. Mom is doing well. She misses him greatly but I think she was spent from doing her job of watching him breathe. I cannot imagine being without the man you loved for 68+years. But then…I cannot imaging just watching your loved one and wondering how many more breaths they have left. Life and death are such a mixed bag of feelings.

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  10. beaconsoflife says:
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    Beautifully written and so what echoes in the heart of believers. Sorry for the loss of your FIL. My mom passed away on August 10. My aunt lost her daughter on April 23. So many losses. My heart aches, but I take comfort in the arms of the everlasting love of our Heavenly Father. Thanksgiving will look different this year, but the love of family will bring healing to all.

    Liked by 1 person

    • thechickengrandma says:
      Reply

      It is so good to be able to love family deeply. But when they go to be with Jesus before we do that love feels like such loss and yet such gratitude for having had them as long as we did. I am not sure that makes much sense but life and death make such a mix up of feelings.

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  11. Timelesslady says:
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    I am always so uplifted when I hear the witness of those who know they will meet their loved ones again. I lost a wonderful uncle this year. I know I will see him again when I am with Jesus in my heavenly home. God bless you and all your family.

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