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Got home yesterday and it's always a nice feeling to come home to your family and sleep in your own bed (although I would have loved spending more time with my sisters and their families). Here are the happenings of this past week ~

Tuesday of this past week my younger sister, her two kiddos, my youngest son and I drove up to TN to be with our older sister and her family after the passing of her Mother-in-love (a endearing term my sister used for her mother-in-law). We grew up first knowing her as Mrs. Gagnon but after marriage and kids that changed to Memere as she treated our kiddos just like her grandkids.

She was a lady totally devoted to her family and had a way of making friends and extended family feel like they were part of her family. She adored her husband Pepere of 50+ years and my sister, her hubby and their kiddos were her life as they lived the closest of all the family and spent so much time together with them.

Sadly a few years ago Alzheimers started taking over and in the end she was ready to go. Her family was all by her side when she went to be with the Lord last Sunday.  My sister had text earlier that morning letting us that the family had been called in and that she was given just mere hours. I was thinking about her so much while in church that morning and praying for her family during this difficult time.

Our message in church that day was PEACE - a word that I've been praying on for months now personally in my own life and now for my sister and her family and of course for Memere.  Half way through the message our Preacher said a greek word and said that is where we get the name "IRENE" from and I thought I was gonna stand up from the pew and say WHAT? I leaned over to my husband and said did he just say Irene? and he shook his head yes!  That is Memere's name and WOW what a jolt of just awesome WOW that came over me in that second. On the way to the car we chatted about that and someone said that was ironic to which my middle son said no, that was planned by God.  I wish I had looked at my watch to see what time it was but really it doesn't matter. I knew that was a sign that she had gone to be with the Lord during that time and what an amazing way to let us know.

My sister was nervous about having to get up and speak in front of everyone at the funeral but when she got up to read a few scriptures - she did a perfect job! You could feel the words and what they meant by the way she read them. My brother in love then got up and from the heart spoke about his mother. Was a sweet tribute with funny stories and memories that brought many much needed giggles to a somber occassion.

Memere's son in law read this poem that I absolutely loved. Had never heard it before so wanted to share it. Has really made me think about my DASH ~ hope it makes you think about yours!

The Dash (    -    )

by Linda Ellis copyright 1996

I read of a man who stood to speakat the funeral of a friend.He referred to the dates on her tombstone, from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

and spoke of the following date with tears,

 

but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,

the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard.

Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger

and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect

and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read,

with your life’s actions to rehash…would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent YOUR dash?

Have a wonderfully blessed Sunday!
SMILES,
Sandy