Her smile always looked mischievous as she beamed with excitement. She glowed as she talked about her son and his achievements. You could almost see her grateful heart as she burst forth with tales of nieces and nephews that described both challenges and victories for them. We had gotten in the habit of having lunch each Thursday – an opportunity to try a new and different place and the sheer joy of sharing time together. Although just a few years younger than I she was my step niece. Her father had married my sister many years ago. Although both her Dad and my sister were long deceased, she and I still stayed in touch. She was the one steady long term friend here in this country place now called home. The voice message riddled with tears from her son caused my heart to skip. She had been in the critical care unit of the local medical center for the last few days but as of the morning before when I saw her was showing marked improvement. I dialed the number to hear the news that she had passed away the evening before. Her heart had stopped. He was in obvious emotional pain as he shared the events of the evening of his mother’s demise. Still caught in the grip of shock over her death I seek a place of gratitude for her life and what she has meant to so many in this community. Thankfulness for her place of peace and comfort now in the arms of her loving Savior gives solace to a heart torn by the loss of her presence here. The well from which the tears emerge has not yet been emptied, but the freshly planted crop of gratitude is having its thirst quenched. Thank you, God, for the times we shared!
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