Grandma Connie

To say these last few days have been rough is an understatement. Yesterday grandma passed peacefully from this earth with all of her kids and many others at her bedside. The two days leading up to her death were filled with funny stories, prayer, and music, which was exactly what she wanted. I have never seen twenty-six people crowd around one bed, but we did it! I can’t say enough about the incredible nurses and hospice team who cared for us during these days. They were truly angels on earth, and gave me a whole new perspective on caring for people.

My heart is full, knowing grandma knew EXACTLY where she was headed and had COMPLETE peace in Christ and his goodness. She was so comfortable in her last days, which was really her only fear about this process.

I wish I could sum up how great of a mother, grandmother, and friend this lady was. She was a single mother to eight kids and raised them to be family centered people who stick together. I cannot fathom what it was like to do this alone.

She didn’t let 20+ years of lung disease stop her from having fun and laughing. Up until recently she was zooming around faster than any 92 year old I’ve seen J. A couple of years ago we took the infamous golf cart ride on the Sioux Falls bike trails. Here she is waving like a pageant girl.

Not too many months later my aunts decided to take grandma for another spin on the trails. Only this time she got in trouble. She didn’t seem to care. In fact, she was a proud old rebel J

 When Scheels added an indoor Ferris wheel she just couldn’t believe it. So of course, we had to check it out. What a fun day!

Grandma was up on the times. She didn’t let distance get in the way of her kids far away. She found FaceTime to be fascinating J

You’re never too old to be a flower girl. Not even at 92!

It didn’t take much to get grandma laughing, and she loved to make the people around her smile.   

  

Grandma was always concerned with everyone around her and never stopped bragging about her family. She was such a warm soul.

Not too long ago I asked grandma about her greatest life advice. She replied “without my faith in God I have nothing.” I think she nailed it.

Thank you, Jesus for my sweet grandma and her love for you. YOU have defeated death, and you are GOOD in our brokenness. God of hope, you have given us much, much peace.