The third year anniversary of my mother's death is coming up on September 15th. She was only 57 years old and died during a surgery to try to remove some of the cancerous tumor that was consuming her body. It was too late, the Cancer had taken over and she was just too weak to survive.
Yes, I am thankful that she is no longer in bodily pain, and yes, I have a glorious hope that I will see her again in Heaven. That doesn't make death a good thing though. Death is an unnatural separation of body and soul that God never intended to be. It came into the world through sin. Jesus overcame sin and death by his sacrifice on the cross and by his resurrection. We have the hope of that same resurrection through him, but until then, we are still separated from the ones we love that have died. My heart aches, I miss my mom and the love and comfort that can only come from your mother. I am thankful I still have my husband, my children, and my dad, but I miss my mom. There are four new babies in the family that will not know her. The ones that did know her still cry and miss her. Every Mother's Day I walk through WalMart looking at cards and fight back tears. I have to take over the holiday planning because she is no longer here to do it. I feel pangs of envy when I see women my age with their moms. I will never be "over it". I Want My Mommy! I know she is in the arms of her loving Creator and alive "in Christ". I know she is praying for me and my family, and I have that connection to her because of Jesus. I believe,"O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?( 1 Cor. 15:55) and that this is not a permanent condition. But for now, I can't hug her, I can't chat with her on the phone, I can't have her over for afternoon tea with the kids. I grieve for that loss, and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. Death stinks. I will celebrate her life and the promise of life eternal, but I will also mourn for what I have lost. That is a part of life. That is what makes this Earth seem a little less inviting and Heaven a little bit sweeter. The older I get and the more I lose here, the clearer that will become to me. For now, I know that God is good. I know that God only allows this pain because it can bring about some greater good. I don't fully understand what that is yet, but I have faith.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. What a wonderful example of Christ's love your mother was. Always thinking of other people. I'm glad to have known her here on earth for even a short while.
ReplyDeleteMy mother has been dead for 16 years and I still feel all that you feel very acutely! Time does not heal all pain. I am thankful that my mother died during the Easter season, but it also makes that beautiful season so much harder for me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Glory to Jesus Christ!
ReplyDeletePlease know that you are in my prayers. I miss my mom too. She turned 59 shortly before her death. May our Blessed Mother wrap her mantle around you!
ReplyDeleteYou are an incredible individual Rachel, and a blessing you have as family.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel, I didn't know you had a blog. Really nice reading your thoughts about your mom. I have pictures of her that run through my digital frame that make me miss her a lot! I miss her at parties too and being co-grandmas together (that's what wee called each other). Well, I just wanted to say you're right, death does stink. She is missing a lot down here at the same time we're all missing her! I am sure hoping we all get to watch the re-runs in heaven! My love, Patty
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