Love and Devotion: Family Edition

Shortly after my last post announcing the birth of my newest nephew, my paternal grandfather, GreGre, passed away. Some of you may not know this but GreGre was to perform our wedding ceremony but fell into ill health mere weeks prior to the ceremony. As a Methodist minister, GreGre officiated over every family wedding including my parents', aunts' and uncles', sisters' and cousins'; and it has always been a dream of mine to have my grandfather place his hand over my husband and my hands as he bestows upon us the blessing. Of course, after his health took a turn for the worse, I reconciled to the fact that this dream would not occur. Throughout the past four months, my family kept in constant contact with my Mississippi relatives (my dad made the arduous 12 hour drive down there at least a dozen times) to check up on GreGre, although we all knew it was just a matter of time. After 87 years of a wonderful, spiritual life, it was GreGre's time to be reunited with his Savior-- his King with whom he devoutly followed and preached His message to thousands of Mississippians. Perhaps most profoundly was GreGre's dedication to helping the homeless children of Jackson, MS as he fed, clothed, and sheltered thousands of children throughout his stint as the Methodist Children's Home director (I always knew my family was large... but not quite that large!)

After celebrating the lives of two other grandparents, I honestly have to say that this was the most emotional funeral I have ever been to. Most of you who know me know that I can hold my emotions in check very well. Although I like to cry at sappy movies, I rarely cry in public. Not this time. The most beautiful and bittersweet moment of the weekend was at the visitation (which happened to be on my father's 65th birthday). Our family had just met Andrew (my new nephew who was born just days prior to my grandfather's passing) at the visitation. As a birthday request, my father asked to hold his baby grandson and whispered, "Let's go meet GreGre." My father and Andrew, followed by Andrew's siblings and myself, walked over to the open casket where my dad spoke to his father for the last time and said some of the most beautiful words I have ever heard:

"Daddy, meet Andrew, your newest great-grandson. We will love him and nurture him as you have all of us throughout your years on Earth. I want you to tell Momma, 'Thank you for watching over Andrew in Heaven and for sending him to us safely.' I also want you to know, Daddy, that my beautiful family is here because of you and your love for Momma. Without you, none of us would be here. We are your legacy and we will honor you and Momma by bestowing upon Andrew and all of Charlotte's and my children and grandchildren an honest and good love, a faith-full love-- for that is what you and Momma gave to us. I love you, Daddy, and I will see you again."

Watching my dad hold the very tiny, premature baby over the casket as he spoke heartfelt words to his father was one of the hardest and most precious experiences of my life. And although I don't do my fathers monologue justice, the meaning remains the same: faith-full love and devotion for family.

Friends come and go, although a few will remain, but family is forever. You can work hard all of your life, make a name for yourself in the professional world-- even contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of future professionals. But your life's greatest accomplishment is your family. They are your legacy-- the manifestation of two people's love for each other and the beginning of selfless love and devotion for one another.

It is easy to lose the importance of family as the professional world dominates our thoughts and actions. I hope to remember my dad leaning over his father's casket with Andrew for the rest of my life and when I lose focus on what truly matters--faith-full love and devotion for my family-- I will earnestly find my way back to the right path.

I know we all have vignettes like mine, moments that sear into our hearts and change our lives forever. I would love to hear yours! What moment in life will remain with you and serve has a guidepost for you when you find you've lost your way?