Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Heaven Is A Little Closer

Yesterday afternoon my sweetheart's dear stepmother quietly slipped away from the boundaries of life. Her journey here on earth was over - she had lived well and loved much. We really didn't want her to go but we couldn't ask her to stay. She loved us as her own; we loved her the same. Her heart and arms were always open to us and we never felt anything but her incredible joy to have us in her life.

The story of our dear one's coming into our lives is precious to our hearts. My sweetheart's mother went to be with Jesus several years ago and his father's heart was broken. Many changes happened within a short time and he moved from a community in another state to a town about an hour away from us to live near my dear sister-in-law. He really didn't want to make the move and he longed for his former home but he knew it was the best choice. He moved into an apartment in a retirement community where good people opened their arms and hearts to him. While he missed my dear mother-in-law intensely he enjoyed the friendship of his new friends. It wasn't long and we began to hear about a group of people - especially ladies - who rode the bus to church with him, walked to the nearby grocery store together and included him in activities of all kinds. And then one precious day about two years later he married one of the ladies in the group. He was ninety. She was eighty-eight. My sweetheart was their best man. I played the organ and I cried so hard with joy that I could hardly see the keys. Our dear son performed the ceremony together with the retirement center chaplain. Our son was a young youth pastor at the time and he told us he never dreamed that the first wedding he would perform would be for his grandpa! It was a day filled with joy. Two families came together and have loved each other ever since. My father-in-law and his bride were happier than we could have imagined. They were so in love and everyone around them knew it. They called themselves 'recycled teenagers'. They loved each other deeply and they loved each other's families as their own. It was something we never could have dreamed possible. And they had fun, such fun together. For three years their lives were entwined together. Last year he passed away and her world was turned upside down. Since that time we have continued to visit and call and send a few letters and pictures on a regular basis. She always thanked us for our love. And we felt so blessed to have hers. She saw things in my sweetheart that were so like his father and she knew that she and I had loved and married men who were so alike in many special ways. Because of that, my sweetheart was very special to her - like a son. And she loved it when he called her 'Mom'.

Our lives will never be the same because of this sweet lady whose love stole my father-in-law's heart. And ours! She brought a beauty and a sweetness that can't be described. That's what she did for everyone whose life she touched. She will be missed much but she will always hold a special place in our hearts. A place no one else can have. Because of her, Heaven seems just a little closer now.

Artwork: 'Heaven's Light'
Artist: James Lee
from art.com

21 comments:

  1. What a blessing that God allowed your lives to intertwine! Praying for you today as you hurt.

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  2. Hi Adrienne
    What a lovely story. I think that is is wonderful when people who have lost their spouse get another chance at love. Often it is even more beautiful than the first because they know what it is like to lose one's love.
    thanks for being such a dear blogging friend this past year. I treasure our friendship and even if I never get to meet you in person we'll get to spend eternity together so there'll be lots of time for chats over tea. (Do you think we will get to have tea parties in heaven?)
    Hugs, Rhondi

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  3. how wonderful that she brought your father - in - law happiness in his last years here on earth...and that she was such a blessing to you as well...
    such sweet memories you have...

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  4. I am crying as I am reading this story...so very heart-touching, Adrienne.

    So sorry for your loss.
    {{{Hugs}}}

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  5. My condolences to your dear family Adrienne. Earls' grandfather remarried at 88 to a wonderful lady and it is always so sweet to think that those years were not spent alone and lonely. Finding love the second time around is a blessing from God. I am so glad you had such love for each other:>)

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  6. I am very sorry,but I know you are a special lady and understand she is in a better place.Your heart is so loving.
    As for organization,yes others say im a nut,but it sure feels good when things are straight.

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  7. What a sweet story, made me feel I knew them. I love the "recycled teenagers" label!

    I hurt with you as you give up your friend/relative. You were blessed to have her in your life a short time, and she was blessed to have you!

    Katherine

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  8. I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful story though, as I read through tears!! A BIG hug to you and your Sweetheart!!

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  9. Hello Dear Adrienne,
    Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of blessings.
    May God continue to bring comfort to you and you husband as you walk through this valley. Yet, I can see you always look to our blessed Hope and share it with us with great joy!
    You are in my prayers with Love as we trust Him together,
    Claudia O.

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  11. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you in this time of sorrow.
    Penny

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  12. That is such a sweet and precious story, Adrienne. Praying for you two.

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  13. Sweet tribute to a lady who touched many. I love that at 88 she married your father in law. Truly precious and romantic.

    Bless you.

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  14. I'm so sorry Adrienne. I know your heart hurts for what you will miss. She would have loved what you wrote about her. blessings, marlene

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  15. Oh, Adrienne, I'm crying.. What a beautiful tribute to a special lady. You all must have so many wonderful memories to look back on. And thank you for visiting my storage basket post. I did, indeed, get a good deal on that rug... Donna

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  16. oH, this is such a sweet, sweet story and I feel she knows what is in your heart.
    You have such a talent, dear heart, of being able to write the most beautiful feelings.
    Thanks so much for sharing this love story with us....
    love, bj

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  17. What a beautiful story! It brought me to tears as I was reading it! I'm sorry to hear about your family's loss. Blessings to you all! You wrote this so beautifully! Thanks for sharing.

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  18. What a lovely tribute to a step mother. It usually is the other way around. You are so blessed.
    Becky

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  19. Blessings of peace and love as you mourn the passing on of this dear lady. How wonderful that your family had the opportunity to treasure this late in life love!

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  20. What a beautiful love story! I love the description of the "recycled teenagers".

    Blessings and hugs from the creek!

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  21. Oh Adrienne this is a beautiful tribute to your dear stepmother-in-law.

    Some people are in our lives for years and years and years and others slip in for a visit and move on. Each is a blessing and to be cherished.

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