memory

     My mother-in-law went to be with Jesus May 18th, 2000 at the age of 53. Just 2 months before the birth of her 3rd grandchild, my son Joey Earl. She was preceded in death by a son, Joey Lee, who passed away at 3 months of age.
    She is sadly missed by her family and friends. She left behind two sons, Robert, and Michael, and a daughter Connie. Also three grandchildren, Michael, Tana, and Joey. Her granchildren loved her dearly, and often talk about how much they miss her. She lived just one block away from us. So now everytime we leave the house, and pass where she lived, it brings back alot of memories. One of the kids always has a comment about how they miss going to "Grandma Maxines".
      People often comment to me how it "is a shame" that Maxine never had the chance to see her grandbaby Joey, because she was so looking forward to his birth, and was keeping her fingers crossed for a boy. (we didn't know what he was going to be until he was born). But I know different, I know that she looks down on him everyday from Heaven. She knows him and loves him, just as much as her other two grandchildren.
    "The shame" is that Joey will never have the opportunity to know his wonderful grandmother. He will never have the chance to experience her tender kisses, and loving hugs. He won't be able to look up into the stands from the ball field when he hits his first home-run, or runs his first touchdown. But he will have our memories of her that we can share with him.   He will share in our laughter with her when she was being funny, and shed the tears we shed when she was in pain. We will let him know how much she loved him, even before she knew him.
    Maxine doesn't suffer anymore. She is in a beautiful garden, with a new healthy body. We should all be happy for her, she is better off than any of us.

When I must leave you for
a little while
Please do not grieve and shed
wild tears
And hug your sorrow to you
through the years
But start out bravely with
a gallant smile;
And for my sake and in my
name live on and do all things
the same, Feed not your loneliness
on empty days,
But fill each waking hour
in useful ways,
Reach out your hand in comfort
and in cheer
And I in turn will comfort you
and hold you near;
And never, never be
afraid to die,
For I am waiting for
you in the sky!