Your great grandmother...

I'm sad for you both that your great grandmother has returned to our lord this past weekend. I would have loved for you both to have grown up knowing not only your great grandmother Lillian, but also your grandmother Lucy. When I was not much older than Lucy my great grandmother died and I remember my dad explaining to me that everyone will eventually die. I remember that being about the most terrifying thing I could think about. When you are little everyone is taller, everyone is older and I remember being really focused on how it effected me personally later when I lost my mother's dad and then my dad's mother. As you get older and (if I am doing my job) closer to God you know in a very personal way that what is alive goes on. Your great grandmother knew it and she wasn't afraid. When you know that the person you love has gone on, you still miss that person and that's hard, but you can also focus on your gratitude that each of us has an opportunity to live forever and the comfort that comes with gratitude tempers the sting of loss.

We are an Auburn family, but your great grandmother was about the biggest Alabama fan I've known. She called the players her "kids" and they signed a football for her to their "memaw". There were even flowers there at the funeral from "your crimson and white family". We should all aspire to be so loved. I didn't take Lucy to the funeral because I didn't know how it would make her feel and until we can talk about what's going on in that little nogin of hers I just didn't feel right about her being there. I was so happy that your great grandmother was able to hold you Lucy and know that I gave you her name before she left this earth. Even though you aren't here yet my little sugar smack, your grandmother did tell your great grandmother about you and she was pleased for Lucy to have a sibling.

Asleep in Jesus

(that's how the preacher put it and I rather liked the phrase)

29 May 1925 - 10 October 2010