Sadness and Joy

My Grandma Hanna passed away this morning at 4am. Three years ago, this October, my mom's mom died, and almost two years ago my sweet Grandpa remarried my Grandma's best friend of over 50 years, Hanna. About a year ago Grandma Hanna got diagnosed with colon cancer, and eventually her leukemia from long ago came back too. After a run of treatment, she felt at peace to just let the Lord either heal her or take her home. She had a great winter and spring overall and even when hospice came into their home a couple months ago, she always seemed pretty strong still. Things progressed a lot this past week and it got to the point that we were all praying for God's mercy to take her home to heaven. Last night He answered that prayer in what we can trust was His perfect timing.

Grandma Hanna is so special to all of us. My mom and aunts grew up as close friends of the family, Hanna even made my mom's wedding dress! Hanna was at both Jeni and my weddings and I can remember her far back into my childhood. She is the only Great Grandma on my mom's side that Sophia will have memory of, and let me tell you - Sophia loved her Grandma Hanna!!!

That is the hardest part. We've been preparing Soph for this, and in her sadness I've overheard her many times crying out to Jesus not to take Grandma Hanna to heaven. This morning when she came in to my room to ask why I was crying I told her. Jamie was already at work, so Soph and I just laid in bed cuddling, crying and talking. She told me that she had asked Jesus not to take Grandma Hanna. God has given me grace in my attempts to explain things such as not getting the answers from God we hope for and what heaven's all about and death, etc... This will be a hard time for sure as our little girl ponders these things and tries to make sense of them. Her heart is so tender and she was so in love with her Grandma. It breaks my heart.

Our family is close, so we will be spending a lot of time together these next few days. Pray for my Grandpa. He's so sad.

Well, thanks for listening. Services will most likely be this Sunday and Monday. Pray for wisdom for Jamie and I to know what all to allow Soph to be exposed to and a part of. Thanks!