In His Grace
~A Love Supreme, Part II

Posted by Andrea Griggs on October 27th, 2010 in Blog | 9 Comments

The room was decorated beautifully. It gave everyone who entered it a sense of peace and tranquility. We immediately knew we made a great decision, but what we didn’t know was exactly how long she would be there. It was stated to us that in most cases, it takes a week or less. That revelation was heart-wrenching!

We braced ourselves when we learned more news, whether we were there with her or at home receiving a call. It was certain that the inevitable was tapping us all on the shoulders, and visiting that hospice, daily, was a heavy burden to bear. Every day got harder and harder.

We all got a text message really early that summer morning. It had become a common way for us to communicate being that everyone was on a rotating schedule for who would be with her. Most of us never stuck to the schedule. We all just showed up whenever we pleased.

The message was urgent. It was from my father, the eldest of her children. The message on that day did not disclose the details of her breakfast, as usual. It didn’t tell if she was talking or alert. It didn’t tell if she recognized the person that was there with her, like all the other ones before. It was short and straight to the point. It read: “Come Quickly!”

I knew immediately that I would never forget that day. Everyone lived within minutes of the hospice, except for me. I knew that I would not make it in time. I also knew that I would be the only one not there. Tears poured out of my eyes uncontrollably. I was disappointed in myself for not trusting my instincts; I knew I should have spent the night. I was disappointed in the fact that God had called my last living grandmother home, but yet, I was glad to know that she would be in a better place. I was disappointed in myself for not being there to tell her one last time, “I love you. It’s okay to leave us. Go on and rest in peace with Him.”

Losing someone you love is never easy, but there is hope. You can find your way through your grief with grief counseling. To learn more about this type of counseling, contact any one of your local churches to see if they offer it.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:15-17, NKJV)

R.I.P. Addie E. Brock, 1930-2010

In His Grace,
Andrea