Sunday, June 8, 2014

Saying Good Bye to Mom


I have returned to Nevada this week, because my Mom passed away last Friday.  I had mentioned a little while back that she had been sick… and yet we did not realize how quickly this would happen. It is not completely clear all that was going on because she was still in the process of tests, but the bottom line is, that she had tumors that had metastasized throughout her body.  It all happened very quickly. We have been in the midst of sorting out the details and our sadness these last couple of days. I suppose I am still in a bit of shock.  We were all seeing that she wasn't well, but even so it was sudden.

She passed away peacefully, and is now home with the Lord… these are the most important things to me.  It is what has comforted me and my family. To know that I will see my family again in heaven is my prayer.  It is interesting, because she and one of my nieces went to see the movie "Heaven is for Real" just before I came out here two weeks ago.  I believe she was looking forward to Heaven.  After hearing what different family members said, it seemed as if she had a sense of what was about to happen.  She was to be 79 years old next month.  We will all miss her very much.

I am up early here at my brother's house.  Everyone is still sleeping.  I am thinking "should I go make a pot of coffee or would it wake everyone up?"  Coffee is sounding good.  We will go to Church in about 3 hours, then figure out how we will proceed the next couple of days and weeks.  I brought pictures with me that we can all go through. That is always the nice part. There is something very special about looking at pictures of when you were young; of realizing that you and your family are all bound together by parents, blood, DNA, common features, happy times and sad.  Our family has a "thing" for whose "nose" or "toes" you have; every last grandchild can't escape the delight we all have by finding ourselves and our family members imprinted on those noses and toeses and eyes and thumbs and so on; even as we have gotten older, we can't seem to resist trying to find ourselves in our parents and grandparents and each other.

Here, we are having lunch at a little cafe in Portugal.  I think it is about 1965.  Mom on the right, my Dad is behind her, my brother Mike in the back, me on the left, and I think my brother Dave is taking the picture.

 Mom on the right, holding my brother Mike, and my Dad holding my brother Dave (I haven't been born yet).

We have all been talking about the day that we will be together again in Heaven, and what family members and friends would be greeting Mom even now.  I look forward to the day that we have that big family reunion in heaven.  The older I get the more "real" heaven seems to me.   I have never wondered about whether "Heaven is for Real" but I have loved hearing stories about heaven and thinking about heaven is like thinking about a most wonderful trip that I have planned in the future, a trip to a most glorious and beautiful place, a trip where Jesus and our Heavenly Father live, a trip where many of my loved ones are. Now my Mom waits for us there.

 Mom  in the middle, with me on her right, and my brothers and Dad on either side; 


Mom in the middle with me in her lap, and my Dad with Mike, and Grampa Pryal with  Dave my Grandpa Tom and Granny Pryal in the back;  Granny Florence is taking the picture.  My 4 grandparents used to live next door to each other.  That's how my parents met.  Dad was a college boy, and Mom was still in high school when they met.
This is the last picture I have of Mom it was taken only a week and half ago.  It was amazing how good she looked, and how she was just right here.  The header picture is of Mom and I about 7 years ago.  It was at a Mother's Day lunch. Our grandson, Elon, was just a baby then.




Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;  John 11:25

9 comments:

  1. Praying for you as you go through these days of planning and preparing for your Mom's memorial service. How wonderful that you are able to do these things for her together, Pam. May the Lord give much grace and strength and peace. So precious that your Mom is with the Lord even now. What a thought!! Yes, one day, the Lord will take all His children HOME! What a day that will be!! Hugs to you! Camille

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  2. Your mom looks beautiful in the last photo you have of her...she has a glow about her.

    So sorry you're having to deal with her being gone. That was the most difficult thing I dealt with when my dad died and again when my sister died. It's rough. Glad you have family around.

    Hugs,
    Jan

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  3. Dear Pam, What a lovely time and sweet memories to see these pictures! I am so sorry about your loss. Praying for you, dear friend!
    Blessings, Miss Roxy

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  4. Pam, I know that you will miss your mother here on this earth greatly, but I'm always thankful that, as believers, we have the assurance of where our loved ones go after they leave this earth. That is such a comfort to a grieving heart.

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  5. So sorry for your loss Pam, but also happy for you that you do not mourn as those without hope.

    I know what you mean about how special it is to be together with family at such a time. At my aunt's funeral recently I really appreciated how close our extended family is. And also the chance to be together.

    Your mom was beautiful, both in the older photos and the recent one. And what a beautiful legacy she left behind too.

    Thinking of and praying for you as you say goodbye xx

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  6. Oh Pam (Miss Pam)
    We are so sorry to learn of your loss. We rejoice with you that she is with the Lord...what a joy to know this!
    May you know so many understand this pain and time of loss and are sending you a hug!
    May God be very near to you & all the family and friends as you go thru this time and may the joy of Christ, the memories and love you all shared be a comfort to you all.
    Our love, prayers to all~
    Lori for all our family

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  7. Pam, So sorry to hear about your loss, what a blessing that she is in heaven with her Lord. It is a hard time to go through, but God is so good.

    Will be praying for you and your family that God will give you strength and peace.

    Blessings,
    Cheryl

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  8. Mom, that was so beautiful, thank you for writing this and sharing all of your sweet memories. I love and cherish them so much.

    I love the picture of Rachel and Jessica with her just a couple weeks ago. She looks so beautiful. It does my heart good to see her face.

    I love you so much Mom,
    ~ Marie

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  9. Pam, I'm late in reading your post, so just learning right now that your mum has passed away. As Kirsteen said, how wonderful not to be mourning as those who mourn 'without hope' ... and not 'hope' as the worlds knows 'hope', but a real, trusting, belief that God's Word is always true.

    Blessings to you all at this time

    Oh, btw, your mum was SO beautiful! (And your dad looked like Kevin Costner ... I can see where y'all got your good looks from :) )
    Anne x

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