June 4, 2020
When I pass from this life, what will I leave behind? The answer to that is: everything. A better question might be, when I pass from this life, what will I leave behind that people will treasure? What things that came from me, will my children value enough to keep and then pass on to their children? My mother-in-law passed away eight years ago, and we lost my father-in-law in February at the age of 91. Grandpa was devastated when Granny died and could not bear to part with any of her things. In fact, her purse full of tissues, Double-Mint gum and tiny spiral notepads and her little white Keds tennis shoes were still by her recliner when he passed away. Her jar of Vicks and her cough drops were still on the night stand and all her clothes and jewelry remained in the closet, the drawers and on the vanity. So, as we began the process of “cleaning out” their house with my brother-in-law and his wife, it was like taking apart a puzzle that someone had spent their entire lives putting together. We knew it had to be done, but we did not ever want to forget what the puzzle looked like when it was complete. We wanted it glued together forever in our memories. Getting started seemed to be the hardest part of this task, until we had to start deciding what to keep and what to part with. We could not keep all the pieces. As we disassembled the house full of clothes, newspaper clippings, childhood memorabilia (theirs and their children’s), country music tapes and CDs, dishes, pictures (so many pictures), personal journals, handmade quilts, crocheted blankets, birthday cards, Valentine’s and art work from the grandchildren and over 100 various chicken collectibles, the picture of Grandpa and Granny’s life actually came more into focus. More than ever before, it was apparent what mattered most to them was their family. While we cannot keep all the things that they left behind when they moved into their Heavenly home, we can keep alive the memories that they represent. All these important pieces will soon be dispersed to the family, making their way from their home in Cypress to take up new residence in other parts of Texas, precious remembrances to be cherished and passed on to future generations. The pieces may be scattered to the wind, but they will always be connected by the love that we all share for Grandpa and Granny. The actual items (Grandpa’s cowboy hat and Granny’s chickens) are just here to remind us of two lives well lived and two people who treasured each other and us as much as we treasured them. When we pass from this life, we take nothing with us and the most important things we leave behind are the precious memories. I pray that my legacy will be as rich and full of love as Grandpa and Granny’s. Matthew 6:20-21 (KJV) says: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV) says “So faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Make great memories today. Smile and be joyful! A song about Precious Memories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhGOFC3kPDc
When I pass from this life, what will I leave behind? The answer to that is: everything. A better question might be, when I pass from this life, what will I leave behind that people will treasure? What things that came from me, will my children value enough to keep and then pass on to their children? My mother-in-law passed away eight years ago, and we lost my father-in-law in February at the age of 91. Grandpa was devastated when Granny died and could not bear to part with any of her things. In fact, her purse full of tissues, Double-Mint gum and tiny spiral notepads and her little white Keds tennis shoes were still by her recliner when he passed away. Her jar of Vicks and her cough drops were still on the night stand and all her clothes and jewelry remained in the closet, the drawers and on the vanity. So, as we began the process of “cleaning out” their house with my brother-in-law and his wife, it was like taking apart a puzzle that someone had spent their entire lives putting together. We knew it had to be done, but we did not ever want to forget what the puzzle looked like when it was complete. We wanted it glued together forever in our memories. Getting started seemed to be the hardest part of this task, until we had to start deciding what to keep and what to part with. We could not keep all the pieces. As we disassembled the house full of clothes, newspaper clippings, childhood memorabilia (theirs and their children’s), country music tapes and CDs, dishes, pictures (so many pictures), personal journals, handmade quilts, crocheted blankets, birthday cards, Valentine’s and art work from the grandchildren and over 100 various chicken collectibles, the picture of Grandpa and Granny’s life actually came more into focus. More than ever before, it was apparent what mattered most to them was their family. While we cannot keep all the things that they left behind when they moved into their Heavenly home, we can keep alive the memories that they represent. All these important pieces will soon be dispersed to the family, making their way from their home in Cypress to take up new residence in other parts of Texas, precious remembrances to be cherished and passed on to future generations. The pieces may be scattered to the wind, but they will always be connected by the love that we all share for Grandpa and Granny. The actual items (Grandpa’s cowboy hat and Granny’s chickens) are just here to remind us of two lives well lived and two people who treasured each other and us as much as we treasured them. When we pass from this life, we take nothing with us and the most important things we leave behind are the precious memories. I pray that my legacy will be as rich and full of love as Grandpa and Granny’s. Matthew 6:20-21 (KJV) says: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV) says “So faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Make great memories today. Smile and be joyful! A song about Precious Memories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhGOFC3kPDc
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