Mema
I found out yesterday that my Mema (my mom’s mom) is sick. She is having kidney problems, dehydration, and they discovered she has cancer. The doctors told us she only has a month to live. This is hard for me because I have never had to deal with losing someone before that I have so many memories with. My mema was a huge influence on me. She would pick me up from school a lot (my chauffeur) and we would have many in-depth discussions about life. I promised “one day I will be rich and she will live in the west wing of my castle” many times. She would laugh but always agreed even though to most it would seem unrealistic. She never discouraged my dreams. I only remember happy thoughts about her. She is very silly always doing her own thing regardless of the crowd. I was looking at my wedding photos recently and came across one of Rhett and I leaving the church after the crowd was gone. In that picture is Mema standing in the middle of the parking lot telling us bye as we drive away. It is one of my favorite pictures. I remember as a child Mema was never empty handed when she came to visit. Her bag would be full of treasures from yard sales and thrift stores. Maybe this is where I get my trash to treasure outlook. She would take me so many places. She took me to carnivals, church fellowships, and dairy queen. I have so many fun memories with her.
As of now she is not in the best shape to visit in the hospital but I am still hoping I get to. I pray that God’s will is done and that she has no pain. I pray that our family can find peace through this hard time and seek God for comfort.
Rileigh noticed I was crying after I had found out and I tried avoiding the conversation but she wouldn’t drop it. She wanted to know what was wrong. I told her I was sad because Mema is really sick and will be going to heaven soon. She smiled and said “Then she won’t be sick anymore! She will be young and can play again!” I pray that I can find the joy in this like my 6 year old can. Rileigh then said “I am sorry you are sad” and gave me a picture of a fairy with stars all around her. Then said “You know who this is, Mema in heaven!” I lost it. My emotions were so overwhelming. I felt sadness, joy, and relief from one picture.
I pray that I can find strength during this not only for me but for my mom and family.
Wow, what a sweet, thoughtful little girl you have! I know exactly how you feel – I lost my grandmother in July of last year. It was first real loss in my family. Somone I had known and loved since birth. Yet she was so suck and in so much pain and knew she was Home, no doubt in my mind. I still cried, I still miss her yet my heart knows she is whole and well and I will see her again!
Sad story have to admit I cried when I read this. I love Rileigh picture. We will pray for you and your family.
April, Mema will be fine. She’s not suffering now. Your Mom and Aunt Margene are seeing to that and are comforting her as much as possible. Shortly, she’ll be home where she belongs — no more pain, no more struggles, no more frustrations. I envy her journey and her destination. We all do.
Funny how God takes what we want and turns it around to be more marvelous than we could ever imagine. You promised Mema that you’d be rich, and that she could live in your castle. God heard your promise, but fulfilled that promise in a way you might not have expected. Yes, there will indeed be a castle — but not one built by human hands. It’s already been constructed and is waiting for you. But, the really great thing is that instead of you inviting Mema to live with you, she’ll be there waiting for you to join her in this eternal castle that Jesus has built. But, if I know Mema, she’ll ask Him to let her decorate the West Wing in a special way. She’ll have it draped in the brightest shades of of red and orange. There will be flowers and red birds everywhere. Who knows — there may even be just a faint scent of BBQ floating through the rooms, just to make sure that you know you’re indeed “home” where you belong. For sure, you’ll be met with a big hug; and who knows what treasures she’ll pull out of her bag to give you then?
It’s wonderful how God works through the pure and innocent to comfort us with truths that we “wise and sophisticated” adults are often too busy to see. Rileigh’s picture says it all. Did you notice the “stars” that Mema is walking among? Rileigh formed them in the shape of a cross. Mema is completely covered by crosses. Rileigh and Mema know that the means of reaching all our castles (here and later on) are found in Jesus. Rileigh has placed Mema right where she (and we) all need to be. There’s the comfort we seek. There’s all the comfort we’ll ever need.
You will again see Mema standing and waving to you, but this time it won’t be in a parking waving goodbye. It will be on a golden street, and she’ll be waving to welcome you home to a castle that she “helped” Jesus fix up just for you. Let Rileigh continue to teach you as God gives you the strength and comfort you need. Mema would not want it any other way.
Uncle Richard