Thursdays are always hard

Thursdays always hard, this week it has been two months since we said goodbye to mom. We have going through her things at the request of my dad. That has been emotional, today I went to their house by myself. I am glad I did, because I was able to really cry but still have a project to do at the same time. I lauged thinking she had enough shoes to open a shoe store! I brought home with me a beautiful ceramic cross that she had hanging in there home. Written across the front of the cross is the word "Joy". I thought that was so interesting since I am writing about the pathway of joy. I am including the email that I sent out the day mom died. It was exactly 8 weeks ago today. Even then I used the word joy in my email, not realizing the magnitude of grief I would later feel. But thinking about mom in heaven fills me with joy, she must be so happy there!

Email sent May 1, 2008...

Dearest friends, It is with a joy that I can let you know that mom went to heaven late this morning (Thursday, May 1). We were at hospice for less that 24 hours. It was a beautiful and peaceful passing. My grandmother was with her, telling her she loved her and then naming everyone in the family and telling her they loved her too. Mom had not opened her eyes or spoken since the lime sherbet on weds. Then she opened her eyes, smiled at my grandmother, closed her eyes and became very still. Mecca was just outside the room, I was on my was on my to spend the day there and my dad had just left after bringing her roses to smell from her rose bushes at home. It was not expected to be so quick, but we are so happy and thankful that it was so beautiful and what an awesome gift from God. We were all able to be there quickly afterwards to spend some time together and with her pastors from church. Of course our hearts are sad, but we are also so very happy that mom is in the presence of her Savior and she is free from earth. This evening we all had dinner together, laughed, cried and prayed. God answered every prayer in his perfect timing. Some of the transport people in hospital came to see her this morning, they are the ones who pushed her bed from her room to radiology and to dialysis and to surgery. She touched everyone she came in contact with while she was in the hospital. As of right now, we will have a celebration of her life on Monday at 4:00 pm at Alsbury Baptist Church in Burleson, a visitation with the family and with one another will follow the service. Tomorrow we will have details and things to take care of.
This reminds me of mom... 2 Timothy 4:6-8As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness....