Tribute to Grandma Morgan

A tribute to our Grandmother Morgan                                     March 29, 2018

Our Grandmother’s love was like a garden, bringing fresh, new life to those she loved and tended to.  Her servant’s heart ministered to each one of us.  Seasons of life brought different sacrifices, but her steadfast love remained. 

Proverbs 31 says “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.”  This describes our Grandma well.  She served until she physically could serve no longer.  Lessons were taught about cooking, canning, gardening and birds.  Lessons were caught about faith, devotion to her church family, service to others, prayer and humility.      

Grandma always had the gift of song in her heart.  She was constantly blessing us all with the tunes that she hummed.  A true reflection of Psalm 56:16 “Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.” 

There are so many memories with our dear Grandma:

Memories of searching for the first buttercup, finding it with her in the Green Hollow valley.  Beenie weenie picnics by the stream near her house.  Sleepovers with pancakes and bacon the next morning.  Camping trips to Waitts Lake.

The most amazing potato salad and deviled eggs served at family dinners.  Jesus’ Birthday cake each Christmas along with thoughtful gifts for each Grandkid and Great-Grandkid.  Strawberry and root beer floats.  We never worried about going hungry at her house!

Twenty-six years of being the supportive wife during the annual Plowing Day at their ranch. Years of sharing their bountiful harvests and her famous sweet pickles from their vegetable garden.

Grandma and Grandpa understood the importance of a legacy passed on.  Her love grew with each generation added to the family.  There were special trips to visit Children, Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren across local counties, states even the world.  The way she related to and desired to know about our lives made each one of us feel unique and loved.  All of us Grandkids can remember special times with them.  The love for her Great-Grandkids was also incredible.  She talked with and related to each one so beautifully, no matter how young. 

Just two days before her homecoming with Jesus, she spoke to our girls, asking questions about their lives, loving on them with compliments.  What precious memories we will forever cherish. 

Grandpa and Grandma weren’t afraid to grow old together.  There were seasons of change, of trials, of sacrifices; times of supporting each other, embracing changing roles.  Through it all, they were pillars of strength together, never wavering in their steadfast devotion to God, to each other, and to their family. 

Just a few short weeks ago, they were the winners of the anniversary dance at a Grandkid’s wedding.  Almost 67 years together.  Grandma couldn’t be more proud and us Grandkids couldn’t be more inspired.

There was no fear in her final breath, as she reminded us she knew where she was going.  Words can’t adequately express the gratitude of being able to spend some of those last moments with her, singing and praying her into heaven, watching her meet her Savior with so much peace.  In that moment, leaving us with the invaluable lesson of how to grieve full of hope. 

From life’s first cry, to final breath, Jesus commanded her destiny.  She truly lived her life as a sacrificial servant for her Lord. We will miss this incredible woman as she leaves a “Wife/Mom/Sister/Aunt/Cousin/Grandma/Great-Grandma/Friend” sized hole in all our hearts. 

But we rejoice that she is walking across heaven on her hands, like she did so many years ago in the gym, free of pain and suffering.  We are honored and blessed to be a part of her heritage.  We are inspired by her love and commitment to our Lord and family.  With thanksgiving we cherish the memories we have with her.  We miss you and love you so much!

Grandma Morgan

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, not depth, nor any other created thing, will be able ot separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38-39

Grandpa Morgan quoted this in the hospital on Friday, March 23rd while holding Grandma's hand as she peacefully slipped away from us towards her home in glory.  That morning he told us all how much they loved all of us, and how he wasn't always able to express that, but it's exactly how he felt.  

It's kind of hard to believe she is gone, as it's been so quick.  A couple weeks ago, she ended up in the hospital because she was so weak.  Now, just shy of two weeks later, she is dancing with Jesus.  

We got the official word from Dad and Mom on Tuesday that she had Leukemia. She was taken to the hospital by ambulance on Tuesday and we stopped in on Wednesday evening before Awana.  She was completely coherent and asked Kayla all about her concert the night before.  She commented on how pretty Audrey's braids were.  She told us the story about how she had all these "suitors" but how she chose Grandpa.  She told us that it's ok to cry, and that we need to talk about it after she's gone.  She told us she wasn't crying for her, because she knew where she as going, but she was crying for us.

A big change happened started happening on Thursday.  She started slipping further and further away from us and closer to her eternal home.  When I left Thursday afternoon, I told her "I love you Grandma."  She said "I love you" back to me.  The last words she spoke.  By that evening, Bridgett, Shelby, Aunt Cindy and I stayed with her.  It was heartbreaking to hold her hand and watch her writhe in pain.  She was reacting to some Benadryl.  Just as they were about to give her something else to try and reverse the medicine, she shook her finger at us.  It was like she was saying "don't give me more medicine!"  It was a tender moment.  From the time they gave her that, she settled down and started sleeping peacefully.

By the next morning, there was a big change.  We all knew the end was in sight.  By early afternoon, her breathing actually changed and became more regular.  Around 2:30, she took about five breaths through her nose, and then she opened her eyes.  She opened her eyes to see Jesus take her home.  It was surreal to watch.  I ran out of the room to get Grandpa and Dad and when they came in, Grandpa just collapsed.  Dad reminded him she was not here any longer, and in no more pain.  Grandpa responded with "I know, but it's still so hard."  It was such a few tender moments between them.  The weight of the world on their shoulders.  The reality of a future here on earth without a wife, without a mother.

We surrounded each other with love and dad prayed and we sang "It is Well."

I have experienced this twice now, but it is amazing to me how quickly our body becomes a shell.  The color and breath of life leaves our earthly temple and you know there is nothing left there but the earthly shell.  It makes letting them go that much easier, because we know "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Spirit."

Some of my most precious memories of her:

Picking buttercups around their housgrounds
Spending the night and eating Grandma's yummy food and Grandpa making us strawberry floats
Jesus' birthday cake at Christmas dinner
Her humming the song placed in her heart.  ALL the time!
Their trip to Boise to come watch my choirs perform
Taking our girls out to trick or treat to them
Going out to their farm to pick raspberries
The sweet pickles she used to make
Her loving, giving Spirit to all she served
Her coming with Grandpa to visit Kayla in the hospital when she was born
Her love for babies and great-grandchildren
Her ability to really communicate with children by getting down at their level and talking with them, not to them.

We rejoice because she is no longer in pain, but we are sad because of the Wife, Mother, Grandma, Grandma-Great hole she leaves in all of us.  Thank you for your constant prayers, endless songs and sacrificial love to all of us!