God's generosity....

Today would have been my mom's 87th birthday.
Mom passed away in 2003 - on the same day that we (Ron and I & Scott, Tina, and Luke) returned from Laurie and Stephen's wedding out of town. After running through airports all day and waiting for delayed flights, I got home, heard my sister's voice on the answering machine and knew in my heart that mom was gone. Mom had suffered for many, many years with early onset Alzheimers - a disease that took her from us long before we were ready to lose her, and then took her away from us again when she passed away. My mom was the sweetest and most generous person on the face of this earth - she was beautiful inside and out. She and Dad were married nearly 60 years when Dad passed away in 1999 - taking care of mom for so many years had taken it's toll on Dad's heart, in more ways than one.
In this world, there are givers and there are takers - mom didn't know the meaning of the word "take." She gave - always, she gave. And she gave from her heart. Today, remembering the blessing God gave this world 87 years ago, I give Him praise because she was ours. We shared her a lot, but she was ours. She never gave so much to others that she didn't have anything left for us. We were the most important people in her life - but that's how she made everyone feel as well. But oh, after they moved, on those rare occasions when we were all together, mom's light was at it's brightest. She just sparkled.
Back to school shopping trips were awesome - and all those new dresses were kept washed and starched and ironed as though they were more than just school dresses, and she always made us feel like we were going to a party.
Most of all, I remember her faith. One day, when my sister was visiting her (Mom and Dad moved to Florida when my dad retired), she said to Michelle that she'd had a dream. In that dream she had met Jesus and she asked Him when she would be out of this prison that was Alzheimer's. He told her that He wasn't ready for her yet - and it was enough for her to know that He was still with her. Chelle said that her face lit up as she spoke about the dream and it was a gift to see that.
God is very generous. He gives us exactly who we need...remember that post a few weeks back about friends for a reason, a season, or a lifetime? And although mom was far too ill to attend my children's weddings, nor did she live to see my grandchildren, or to see her premature granddaughter become a Staff SGT in the Army, I believe that somehow she knows about them all and no doubt has a great view of it all from Heaven. She's probably commenting to Dad about how great we all turned out - well, she always did see things through rose colored glasses anyway. :)
God is so generous to give us these days of remembrance - it keeps us grounded - makes us realize what He's given us - and what we can give.
Thanks for letting me share - He is so generous to have given me friends like you.
Praying for all of our troops - may He bless them with strength, and courage ~ and safety.
Blessings,
Sue