My Grandma Has Gone Home…
1 Timothy 5:9-10
Yesterday, my Grandma Violet passed away. She was 102 years old, and (next to my wife) was the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. Obviously, we’ve been expecting this for quite a while, but it was still heart wrenching. I teared up several times, but after a while, a sense of joy came to me.
My Grandma Violet loved Jesus. Knew Jesus. Lived the Jesus life.
I could spend a lot of time blogging about her life and the impact she had on hundreds of people. I’ll just let the Bible describe it. In 1 Timothy 5, Paul gives instructions for how to care for widows in the church who have no support system (this was in the days before Social Security, retirement, and nursing homes). Here’s the criteria he lists in 1 Timothy 5:9-10 for those widows who were to be honored in that way (and even though my Grandma had a great support system, this still describes her so well),
Let a widow beput on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.
In other words, if she has allowed Jesus to transform her.
My grandma did. Now, after sixteen years, she is reunited with her husband, George… and best of all, although she is abscent from the body, she’s present with the Lord.
I get to preach her memorial service on Wednesday. Part of that service will be a memorial video I was asked to produce. If you’re a Facebook member, click here to see it. Otherwise, click here to see it.
Love ya, Grandma.
June 30, 2008 at 8:03 am
I have to say that your video was the most beautiful and touching and impressive tribute I have ever seen. It seems your grandma was quite amazing. I’m happy for her she has gone home but sad for you and your family as I know you’ll all miss her dearly. We’ll keep you all in our prayers!
June 30, 2008 at 8:49 am
Thanks, Melissa!
June 30, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Hey Aaron,
I am sorry to hear about your grandma. I remember when your sister and I were dateing she thought I was a black guy the first time she met me. She was a cool lady eho loved Jesus and I will pray for you and your family during this time.
Your Bro in Christ,
Brandon
June 30, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Holy cow, I remember that… Thanks, Brandon!
June 30, 2008 at 11:33 pm
Aaron,
I heard about the video that you put together for your Grandma and it is so special, it seems just like yesterday that I was there with your Grandma talking about the good old times. She is a special woman that I know that I will never forget in life.
Sorry that Rick, Jonathan, and myself are not able to attend the services, although our thoughts are with the family.
It was amazing that just on June 7th - Rick’s soon be wife had her bridal shower and I was able to get out a quilt that she made for Rick and wanted for me to give him when he got married. They (Rick and Jessica) was so please and happy that they received this gift from your grandmother.
I saw the pictures of yourself and Steph ~ although you look so much different and Steph still looks the same. How is Josh doing this days? I know he is close of graduating soon.
Keep in touch and take care. I will have the whole family in my prayers and thinking about all you.
Bonnie
July 1, 2008 at 7:34 am
What a blessing to have such a Grandma. Your video honors her well and I’m sure the memorial service will too.
July 1, 2008 at 8:07 am
Bonnie:
Holy cow! Rick’s old enough to get married?!? Thanks for your comment–it really meant a lot. And it reminded me of how caring grandma was–I don’t know how many quilts she made and gave away. I’ve still got mine.
Dave:
Thanks for stopping by, brotha.
July 1, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Aaron,
This video was the best! I am sorry that I was unable to attend the service. However, my thoughts and prayers are wilth all of you. I am so thankful to have had a great-grandmother that gave us our values and morals. She was a great person. I cannot thank her enough along with Royal, Stephen, Georgie, and Charlotte for everything they have done for my father,Marion. They made my father into the man he is today. For that I am thankful. Grandma made my father into a great person, great husband, AWESOME dad, and most of all a TERRIFIC grandfather. My daughter Hannah will be attending the services with Marion and Angela. The one regret I have is Hannah did not get the priviledge of meeting such a wonderful person, her great great grandma. Grandma is someone who I will always admire. The stories that I have been told will always be with me. You did a GREAT job with the video. Grandma would be tickled. Dad was on the road last night heading your way, I told him about the video. He is anxious to see it. Take Care and God Bless each and every one of you at this difficult time.
Rachel, Chris, Gavin, and Hannah Brown
July 1, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Rachel,
Good grief, I can’t remember the last time I saw you. It’s been a really long time! Thanks for the super kind thoughts. Grandma was one of a kind.
July 1, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Yeah it has been a long long time since we have seen each other. But when you see Hannah with my dad, it will be just like I am there! She is my mold made all over. She looks just like me but acts just like her daddy! hahaha.. Parenting is one of gods great gifts. I can honestly say I have been blessed in my life. I am defintely proud to say I have Grandma that was soo unique. She was blessed to have soo many great people in her life. You being one of them!
July 1, 2008 at 3:11 pm
God bless G’Ma Violet! I’ll always remember the time she put her hands on my shoulders and, mistaking me for Aaron’s much smaller sister Steph, said, “My Stephanie–you’ve put on some weight!” LOL! I sure hope there’s a lot of Hershey bars in heaven! : )
July 5, 2008 at 8:56 pm
With a tears in my eyes it is clear that A Mother’s love is a
priceless bonding dialogue. On the way in I couldn’t help noticing all
all of the bonding and dialogue between Mothers and their
children. I thought about this bonding and dialogue, I could
not help but remember how this bonding and dialogue impacted the
senses. Fathers are just as important as well mothers both parents
mentoring are a “priceless” part of a child’s life. The Power Point presentation on Mother’s life given at the church was excellent. Would like to see the David Rawley’s Letter displayed on the net with the song
in the background “The Unreachable Star.” Going back
the web and look for the Power Point presentation. Where can I
get a copy? Love you Mother! When I left the rose bush had very
small buds on it. I had picked the blossoms earlier this spring and
I thought that the plant had gone dormant till next year. When I returned
to New Hampshire I was shocked to find the bush with large buds
and huge blossoms.
July 7, 2008 at 4:44 am
Aaron,
Your speach on Grandma’s life was the most moving eulogy I have heard. I try not to regret the fact that I spent so little time in grandma’s amazing life and instead try to always remember the short wonderful moments that I had spent with her. I will always remember how she could never get anyone’s name right on the first try or how she used to drink tablespoon fulls of karoll syrup. I will always remember how tough she could be or how funny. God bless you for the wonderful tribute and video.
July 7, 2008 at 6:35 am
Thanks, cousin!
August 24, 2008 at 11:16 am
Aaron, the memorial video for your grandmother, Violet Saufley, is so poignant. It brought back so many special memories to me. Anna Floss was my first friend; we went from first grade through high school together. The highlight of many of my summers in grade school was to spend a whole day visiting Anna Floss and her family. Life has many strange twists; I married Al Saufley,who is from a different branch of the Saufley tree. For 45 years we were the keepers of Valentine Saufley’s farm. Our children were at Montevideo at the same time as Anna Floss’s children and knew each other. Recently at a 55th reunion of our high school class it was my privilege to speak in memory of Anna Floss.
If you have a way of sharing this with her children, it maybe meaningful to them. Phyllis Saufley
August 25, 2008 at 6:31 am
Phyllis,
Thank you so much for your comment! All of grandma’s children got a DVD copy, as did Anna Floss’ children.