In her book "One Thousand Gifts", Ann Voskamp's words speak to me;
"...I awaken to the strange truth that all new life comes out of the dark places, and hasn't it always been? Out of darkness, God spoke forth the teeming life."
"...Yes. And emptiness itself can birth the fullness of grace because in the emptiness we have the opportunity to turn to God and there find all the fullness of joy."
"Here dies another day
During which I have had eyes, ears, hands
And the great world round me;
And with tomorrow begins another.
Why am I allowed two?"
"Why doesn't anyone ask that why question?
Why are we allowed two? Why lavished with three? A whole string of grace days? Isn't even one enough?"
"I want to yell, "NO!" No, it is not! Why can't we be allowed days indefinitely? How can God ever expect us to say good-by to the eyes, ears, hands of those we cherish more than our own?"
"Suffering nourishes grace, and pain and joy are arteries of the same heart - and mourning and dancing are but movements in His unfinished symphony of beauty."
"God is always good and I am always loved. Take the pain and transform it into a joy that fulfills all emptiness. The hard discipline to give thanks for all things at all times."
As I was writing these words this morning, I received a phone call from Jonathon's mom, Joy. Through her tears she said, "Grandma died". We drove together to Harmony where Grandma had been living the last few years. Matt, Michael and Jonathon all met us there and over the next few hours we cried, we talked to grandma, we kissed her, held her hands, shared memories and prayed. Then the people from the funeral home came to take away her body and we went home to write an obituary, plan a memorial, contact friends and think about this woman of 96 years who had touched all of our hearts.
Ellen Ritlinger knew how to live life! My favorite memory of Grandma is the trip we took to Laughlin when she visited Arizona after Grandpa died. Her first solo trip. We knew she loved to gamble so Jonathon and I rented a mini van and the three of us along with with Mary and Mike and Sharon and Eric drove to Laughlin. After we had been there maybe 5 minutes I realized I had no idea where Grandma was! Jonathon said not to worry as she was right at home at the Casino! We gambled and went casino hopping into the wee hours and Grandma had no trouble keeping up with us. The next morning she was the first one downstairs ready to start again! I never saw her without her jewelry and make up. Back in Phoenix we took her to the horse races where she placed her own bets! She loved games and cards. She was a master bridge player and she and Grandpa loved to dance to the big bands. She always called me "dearie" and she would light up and smile when our eyes met.
Grandma, I know you must be on a dance floor in heaven reunited with Grandpa,your favorite partner. Thanks for all the sweet memories. You will be missed.
"Here dies another day
During which I have had eyes, ears, hands
And the great world round me;
And with tomorrow begins another.
Why am I allowed two?"
"Why doesn't anyone ask that why question?
Why are we allowed two? Why lavished with three? A whole string of grace days? Isn't even one enough?"
"I want to yell, "NO!" No, it is not! Why can't we be allowed days indefinitely? How can God ever expect us to say good-by to the eyes, ears, hands of those we cherish more than our own?"
"Suffering nourishes grace, and pain and joy are arteries of the same heart - and mourning and dancing are but movements in His unfinished symphony of beauty."
"God is always good and I am always loved. Take the pain and transform it into a joy that fulfills all emptiness. The hard discipline to give thanks for all things at all times."
As I was writing these words this morning, I received a phone call from Jonathon's mom, Joy. Through her tears she said, "Grandma died". We drove together to Harmony where Grandma had been living the last few years. Matt, Michael and Jonathon all met us there and over the next few hours we cried, we talked to grandma, we kissed her, held her hands, shared memories and prayed. Then the people from the funeral home came to take away her body and we went home to write an obituary, plan a memorial, contact friends and think about this woman of 96 years who had touched all of our hearts.
Ellen Ritlinger knew how to live life! My favorite memory of Grandma is the trip we took to Laughlin when she visited Arizona after Grandpa died. Her first solo trip. We knew she loved to gamble so Jonathon and I rented a mini van and the three of us along with with Mary and Mike and Sharon and Eric drove to Laughlin. After we had been there maybe 5 minutes I realized I had no idea where Grandma was! Jonathon said not to worry as she was right at home at the Casino! We gambled and went casino hopping into the wee hours and Grandma had no trouble keeping up with us. The next morning she was the first one downstairs ready to start again! I never saw her without her jewelry and make up. Back in Phoenix we took her to the horse races where she placed her own bets! She loved games and cards. She was a master bridge player and she and Grandpa loved to dance to the big bands. She always called me "dearie" and she would light up and smile when our eyes met.
Grandma, I know you must be on a dance floor in heaven reunited with Grandpa,your favorite partner. Thanks for all the sweet memories. You will be missed.
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| Joy, Grandma, Lorelei and Wilson |
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| Jonathon and his Grandma |
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| Jonathon and Grandma |
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