A Goodbye I Will Always Remember...

I'll never forget the time I flew down to San Jose from Anchorage to visit my Grandma (Dora) Mather whose health was failing fast due to cancer that had been diagnosed only a few short months previous. She was one of my very best friends (we were two sassy peas in a pod) and I grew up getting to see her all the time (until 8th grade) since we lived in San Jose during those childhood years. This trip back I was in my mid 20s. I spent the week with Grandma & Grandpa and during that time Grandma was released from the hospital to come back home for the last time. We spent so many precious moments together that week. I remember one of those special moments when she told me right there at her kitchen table, where I had celebrated so many wonderful holidays, that I was one of her shining stars. I in turn told her how much I loved her and how she had made such a huge impact on all our lives, showing her family the way to Jesus. Later, after Grandma's passing, Grandpa and Aunt Mary decided to give me her wedding ring. I was so honored. I looked at the band carefully and noticed there were tiny little stars etched in that cherished golden band. Thank you, Lord, for such a precious gift. Yes, the ring. But more so the gift of two loving Grandparents and especially Grandma, my bosom friend. Of course the day came when I had to catch my plane and say goodbye (one final time). Before I left she grabbed some apricot preserves out of her freezer to give to me. They were from her own tree. Fresh apricots are still my favorite fruit and I tried to keep this jar for as long as I could. I will always remember Grandma standing on the front porch waving goodbye like I'd seen her do a million times before. I can see her still. Standing there being brave for me and waving until Grandpa and I were out of sight. I will never forget that goodbye and I am looking forward to the reunion we will have again some day.