(This was written on November 19, 2013)
Please do not say ‘Well she lived a good, long life’ as means of
comfort. It’s not comforting.
Death is death.
Whether someone is young or old, no matter how you look at things.
Death is death.
People come into our lives in so many ways. We are born into their
family or they are born into ours. They are aquaintances. They are friends.
They are co workers. They are friends’ relatives. They are friends’ friends.
Any way you look at it they have impacted you in a good or a bad way.
This morning, the world lost the sweetest, most compassionate,
brightest woman anyone could ever meet. She came into my life through marriage.
She is my husband’s great great aunt. She always greeted our girls and I with
the sweetest smile and a graceful hello. She was always interested in our lives
and she loved hugging our girls and talking to them. She always had the biggest
smile any time she would see them, especially our Elizabeth. You see Aunt Jean
as she was lovingly referred to, actually had the first name of Elizabeth. Her
and my Elizabeth thought that sharing this name was the silliest thing and the
two of them would giggle about it.
After Aunt Jean moved into Green Acres, I had the privilege of seeing
her frequently. Taking care of her there was such a delight to me. I loved
going into her room just to see her happy and reading the news paper or
watching the Tigers game on the tv.
Aunt Jean loved the Lord and I am confident that she is now in heaven.
The bible says many things about death: and
the day of death is better than the day of birth Ecclesiastes 7:1 and for death is the destiny of every man; the
living should take this to heart. Ecclesiastes 7:2 I’m not denying that death is destiny or that death is better
than birth. I know she’s in heaven. This doesn’t mean that we won’t mourn those
we love. It doesn’t mean that her life here should be forgotten or brushed
away. Her age will not determine the amount of mourning that will be done. She
has touched many lives and was loved by so many. Tears will come. Chests will
ache. Sadness is here. Not because she isn’t in heaven, she is, but because she
isn’t here.
So do you see why saying the words ‘well she lived a good, long life’
bring no comfort? You’re right she did. She is happy and young again, but I
will mourn her still.
Rest in sweet peace, Aunt Jean. We love you dearly still and will
always.
Enjoy your everlasting life Elizabeth
Jean Byers in walls of jasper, and a city of pure gold,
as pure as glass. Revelation 21:18
