Dear Lucy, Till We Meet (Over There)

Thank-you everyone for your beautiful thoughts, messages, cards,

 gifts and prayers this week. Deeply treasured!

I'm not sure if the two-year mark will close the collection of Dear Lucy poems,

but it perhaps might...to everything there is a season.

Yesterday both Lucy and her husband's sisters and sister-in-laws gathered

at their place to work and remember Lucy again, and touch the plants she planted

and fall-clean the home she poured such happiness and love into,

and to bless and encourage her family in a very practical way.

This motto in the laundry room reminded me of an important part in grief's journey...

Though it may be speaking of flowers it applies to life's garden as well,

don't you think??

To let go of grief is not to let go of the loved one we miss

(sometimes it can feel that way)

but, to try to cherish more intentionally, humbly, and fully the time/life we still have.

When I wrote today's poem a week or two ago I thought it would be the one

to share yesterday, but it turned out not to be.

Instead it will close out 'the week of' with tender reflection and love 🙏

Dear Lucy,

I'll never forget that solemn occasion

When loved ones gathered, to lay you to rest

When hearts grief-shattered yet cheered by salvation

Were comforted thus, in sorrow's sudden test

I'll never forget the tear-joyous chorus

'Amazing grace, oh, how sweet, sweet the sound'

While rain-misted breeze sighed through trees around us

We stood with heads bowed, on farewell's holy ground

...and found in the depth of death's undisguised hour

Someone who knew our pain, through and through

Comfort and courage beyond human power

Holds/helps/heals us till we cross death's threshold too

...into the light of our Glorious Saviour

Where no tearful sorrow or parting will be

Into the triumph of hope's final favour

Where we will dwell throughout eternity

Till then, while we tend to Time's holy duty

Pray, we may discover, in this broken world

Through God, the breath-taking, unearthly Beauty

Of Joy like a banner from Heaven, unfurled

I'll never forget what changed life forever

Dear Lucy, I (we) will miss you every day

But God grants what no circumstance can sever

His grace is sufficient, come whatever may

I'll never forget, but love with intention

Those still within reach of arms, voice and prayer

While cherishing ways, too many to mention

That I (we) miss you so, till we meet 'over there'  

Janet Martin

The scripture reference put on the chalkboard in Lucy's kitchen 2 years ago

still applies...

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good

 of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

A friend sent me this song last night.

Lucy would have loved it!

To everyone missing someone,

may it bless you today!

Brandon Heath - "Can We Go Home Now?"