Thursday, August 20, 2009

Friday Photo Flashback!

Alicia is hosting Friday Photo Flashback.  This is where we take our old "pre-digital" photos and showcase them.  This Friday I'm going back a few years to 1997 at a youth conference.  The photo is of my mother-in-law and my oldest son... After you read my post...you'll see why I chose this photo!



Well this weekend marks the hardest time I'm sure in my husband's adult life.
My mother-in-law passed on  August 24, 2008.

Stricken with breast cancer she finally stopped treatment and went into hospice the beginning of July of last year. By the middle of last August, she started to go down hill really fast.

I told my husband that he and his sister needed to let her go and then tell her it was o.k. to go.
Oddly enough...I found myself doing a lot of "telling" and I didn't really enjoy my new found "expert" status.

The entire time of our marriage...I had always looked to him to guide us through problems and life situations...you know...someone who can emotionally detach while us "women folk" get into deeper drama or freak out.  Now I was the one taking the helm, and folks were looking at me ...not saying...but I know thinking...

"Your mom is gone...tell us what to do...what to say...how to function."

I did the best I could and sat my boys down to tell them we were going over (today on the 22nd)...to say goodbye to Granny since she was going to heaven soon. 

She was unconscious by the time we got there...but we still said goodbye.  My oldest took things quite hard...and my middle was set on getting soda.  
He drank two cans before I even blinked.  

It was Granny's house.  And Granny ALWAYS let them have soda, she always had their favorite kinds in the "icebox" (as she called it)
...any time, any day, without reservation. 
(I have to admit...in the past and under my breath I've said a few snotty remarks about Granny and letting them have soda)...but that just edged her on...and they'd end up with a 6 pack for the road...so I learned to keep my mouth shut!

He kept looking at me to "complain" about the soda...and I told him.
"If granny could tell you...she would let you have it."

At my house there was always a 6 pack of Diet Coke under my kitchen sink...not for my family (we don't do soda)...but her Granny...so you know she was a die heart drinker!

Finally my middle one understood and started taking things hard too.  
Life is hard, but Praise God she's in heaven...and we'll see her again.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever... (1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 17)

Blessings...
and I kind of wish I had some soda in my house.


15 comments:

Unknown said...

She was a great woman :) I am glad I knew her :)

Bethany said...

Lifting my diet coke to Judith!

More Than Words said...

I can see why the story and the picture go so well together!! It's amazing how much you can say by just one photo!

Isn't it awesome to KNOW that you will see her again one day....and pain free! Whole & restored!

Muthering Heights said...

This was a very sweet tribute to her...

Days of Whine & Noses said...

I am so sorry to hear about the grief you and your family are going through.

Love the photo and story behind it.

My oldest daughter and I lost her father (my exhusband) last July. It is a struggle. It was sudden and unexpected.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing this beautiful photo/story! She sounds like an amazing woman! ((HUGS))

Laurencita said...

Thank you for sharing. Yes, someday, somehow we will be with the Lord forever.

Hazel said...

This is such a wonderful tribute to a mom-in-law. Thanks for sharing.

I played FPF for the first time today.

really.truly said...

What sweet memories of what sounds like a lovely lady. Granny sounds like the perfect Grandma. This IS the perfect picture to share today!! I pray that you all have a peace-filled weekend as you think on Granny and remember back to last year!! Hugs Lorrie!

The imPerfect Housewife said...

Not only is that a great picture, but that is such a sweet tribute to your mother-in-law. I'm sure that soda brought your son comfort in his memory of grandma. Thanks for the reminder of what's really important and what isn't. You're a great mom ~

Beth in NC said...

Awwww, I'm sorry. I pray God will comfort your husband and family. It is so hard to lose those we love.

I have to smile about the sodas. My parents insist on filling my daughter full of chocolate and anything else she wants while she is there!

((((((hugs))))))

momstheword said...

Oh, what a sweet grandma (and mama) she must have been!

I still can't believe my dad is gone and it's been almost two years. The first year mark wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, though.

I think because a year had passed, and it wasn't as fresh as it was at first. So, while I missed him, it was easier to talk and laugh about memories.

However, even though I know he's with the Lord, I still find it difficult to visit his grave so we rarely do it.

A Stone Gatherer said...

Wonderful tribute to your MIL! I loved the story!

Erin said...

What a wonderful picture and a great memory to share, as odd as that sounds. I'm sorry this will be a difficult time for your husband, but he'll have you there. And I'm sure you'll remember her example when you are the mother-in-law and Granny and you'll have some soda (or something else forbidden) at your house for the grandkids, too!

P.S. I heard a rumor that shoulder pads and t-shirts will be back this fall (seriously!)...

Mamí♥Picture said...

What a Sweet Post!