Taking on Goodbyes

Even though I am no longer "taking Africa"  (I've already done that!), I would like to continue this blog about my life. I think its appropriate for my grandmother to get this first blog post (that isn't about Kenya).


Yesterday I said goodbye to my sweet Mimi for the last time. Looking back on my time spent with her these last few days I realized just how lucky I am to have such a loving and supportive family. There are many people who only see their grandparents once or twice a year, and who do not have a personal relationship like I have with my grandparents. It was a blessing to have grown up with an amazing role model for a grandmother. Words can not explain how much I am going to miss her. One thing is for sure, she always had class even up until the end. I never once saw her question her illness. She may not have liked it at times, but she never questioned God's will.  It's hard to say goodbye to someone who you love so much, but every day is numbered by the Lord and there isn't anything that can change that. Death is always hard because it is a reminder that we are sinner and that we need Jesus while we live here on this earth. Because of Christ's love for us we can be reassured that there is no fear in death.

Jesus says in John 14:1-4 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." One thing that has been a comfort is in the last talk I had with my Mimi she told me "I'll be painting the rainbows, and I'm going to add another color just for you."

I encourage you to take the time to tell your loved ones just how much they mean to you. It's times like these where I am beyond thankful I was able to tell my Mimi just how much I loved her!

Here are a few favorite Mimi memories:

• Camp Mimi was what we called our summer stays with my grandparents
• All the countless museums I've been to and trips to the Ft. Worth Zoo
• The way she made Cinnamon toast or cinnamon rolls every time we stayed with her for breakfast
• The countless phone calls to check up on me and talk about life
• Naming stingrays in the Cayman Islands
• The many summer vacation my family was taken on because of my grandparents generosity 

The Lord is good!