Weekly Photo Challenge: Connection

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I didn’t think long about the most appropriate pictures for this challenge. Two weeks ago today (August 24) my mother graduated from this earthly plain to the heavenly realm. Over the next week we gathered in three locations – three significant places of residence: Creston (IA), Benton (AR) and Memphis (TN) – holding two memorial services and the graveside service.

We gathered as a family almost 10 years ago at the First Baptist Church, Benton for my father’s memorial service. Mom stood on the bottom step in purple in this photo.2005.10Almost 10 years later I updated that picture, connected by event (memorial service), place (church steps) and family (the growing and older connected progeny of Charlie and Grace) in grief and celebration that our matriarch is with the Lord, my father, a granddaughter, my grandson (who I didn’t meet in this life), and many other loved ones who have preceded us.

Family at BentonLooking at the photo with all the smiling faces, you might think we had just attended a wedding. Rest assured, we are grieving, but with hope!

13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NASB*)

And who couldn’t smile at the sense of humor of a 95 year old woman’s final wish to have this picture and caption on the back of her memorial folder!

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In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Connected.”

*New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

14 thoughts on “Weekly Photo Challenge: Connection”

  2. Lee I know she will be missed, but I can tell by your celebration of her life that you have accepted Gods will and that she is happy in her new home. Bless you alland I admire your strength. Much love to you all. Vi Hatcher

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  3. Sorry to hear of your beautiful Mum’s passing. I remember the first post I read on your blog was about her her Birthday celebrations. Then too she was surrounded by family. I am sure she lived life to the fullest and judging by the wonderful picture on her memorial kept a very quirky sense of humour to the very end! Heaven is going to be a more lively place for her presence. I am sure that while there was a great sense of sadness, your family came together and celebrated the life of this lovely lady. I hope among the tears there was time for a lot of laughter and reminiscing!

    Best wishes

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    • Thank you for those kind and comforting words, Leanne. She did keep her humor to the end. She was on Facetime with a daughter and son-in-law two weeks before her death and had not been talking much. When the son-in-law asked, “How are you feeling?”, she replied by wiggling her fingers and said, “With my fingers.” I’m sure she is applying her musical skills and humor to add some extra joy in the heavenlies!

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