You’ll have to forgive me…. I am a bit of a mess.
My Grandmommy went to be with Jesus just moments ago. I was literally pulling up this post to type it and got the text from my mom. Even when hospice is called in and you know the days and hours are numbered, there is nothing like the sting of death. The final word.
The absolute overcoming emotion of grief. My personal sadness is real – losing someone I absolutely adore and my last grandparent on earth. However, my heart immediately went to my dad . You see, Grandmommy was a mom to three great kids. My dad, my Uncle Bob and my Aunt Mari. Three amazing kids feeling way more intense emotions that I could ever start to imagine. Three married-in kids like my mom who have called her “mom” and meant it.
I also crumbled a bit under a wave of guilt and regret. You want to turn back time. Say more, do more. Thank more and love more. That is when our sweet Jesus arrives on the scene through whispers to my heart and through sweet encouragement from those I love.
I’ve got her. She was loved. You did love. She’s happy as she’s ever been.
Besides Marion Kirby’s drop dead gorgeous outer shell, the one thing most people knew above all else… her love for Jesus Christ. EVERY DAY, she was talking to someone about their eternity. EVERY DAY, she was praying about someone that didn’t know Jesus. EVERY DAY, she was praying for one of her 3 children, 2 daughter-in-laws, 1-son-in-law, 12 grandkids and 25 great grandkids. Whenever I saw area code “334” on my phone, I knew it was her and she was just calling to say she had been praying for me. What a woman.
I know tonight my sweet angel Grandmommy is the happiest and healthiest she has ever been in her life. She is reunited with my dad’s dad, who I was never able to meet, Robert McClure. She is reunited with her longtime husband and sweet Granddaddy to all of us – Robert Kirby.
She is likely seeing faces all over heaven – that she helped bring there because of her undying faith and belief in God. Her eyes, they sparkled when she was happy. I can just imagine her face right now.
I am grateful for the years we had together. I am grateful for her grace, her poise, her quiet sweet spirit, her determination and strength to carry on in life. I am grateful for her grateful, humble spirit.
I am BEYOND thankful to Jesus above that I went to see her just before Christmas and will treasure every second of that day in my heart forever. Our final hugs and hands clasped and sweet grins. Her proud grin seeing Ella again. Her tears of joy when we showed up.
This woman was loved, deeply. And, how could we ever pay her back for the heritage of faith she has imparted for generations? We can do just that. We can love Jesus like Grandmommy did. Raise our kids like she did – to know and serve Him well. We can pray for our kids, our grandkids and our great grandkids and smile and be content that we are child of God. That was Grandmommy.
I’m so very honored to say I am one of hers, yes, THE MARION KIRBY of Eufala, Al. I am one of hers. And I pray you will know Jesus one day because of the heritage of faith that started with Marion, my sweet Grandmommy.
