I've been wanting
to write about Brenda's memorial service for a week now but just haven't
been able to start. I guess I'll start from the beginning and we'll see
where we end up.
We found out Brenda had cancer early this spring. From being a healthy and active woman her body started working against her and completely locked her in. She could no longer run around to garage sales, go grocery shopping or even get to the bathroom without being in pain. We skyped her when we had the chance and tried to keep in contact.
After Chloe was born we were able to Skype a couple times before she disappeared for a while. She didn't reply on Facebook and was never online on Skype. Getting worried we contacted Luke's brothers and found out she had been staying down at their beach house because of frequent hospital visits.
I think we got to Skype her once after she got back and then we just got to hear updates from a pastor that spent a lot of time by Brenda's side and Luke's brother who was able to call on the phone. They told us she most likely had one more month to live but soon it changed to a week and then a day. We booked the tickets to fly out but unfortunately she passed four days before we came in.
Our plan from the start was to come over here for about three months to either be able to help around the house and spend time with Brenda or help out preparing for the funeral. When we got the news that she didn't make it we knew the trip would be focused on the funeral, so this whole trip that is what we have been waiting for and now this past Saturday it was finally time.
It was hard having to wait for it for so long because to me it felt like we didn't just wait to say good bye, but we were also waiting for the moment we could grab a hold of the fact that she's gone. It's still hard to understand that she's not here anymore but at least the funeral gave a little closure.
The memorial service was beautiful. It was a very loving atmosphere which was all we really wanted. Around 100 people came to celebrate the life Brenda had and to remember what an amazing woman she was.
She was so much more than a mother-in-law to me and I am so grateful for the little time I got to spend with her. I feel really selfish the moments I wish she could come back because I know she is in a much, much better place. But believe me, she was extraordinary. She loved Jesus with all her heart and you could see it in everything she did. She was so full of life and it rubbed of on everyone around her.
We will forever remember her as the wonderful woman she was and we will tell our kids stories about their nana.
Sure it feels like we're all suffering a great loss, but lucky for us, it won't be long till we'll see each other again.
Our new friend Bethel wrote a blog post about the memorial that I think you should all read if you have the time. Click on the link and it'll take you there. Link to Bethel's blog.
We found out Brenda had cancer early this spring. From being a healthy and active woman her body started working against her and completely locked her in. She could no longer run around to garage sales, go grocery shopping or even get to the bathroom without being in pain. We skyped her when we had the chance and tried to keep in contact.
After Chloe was born we were able to Skype a couple times before she disappeared for a while. She didn't reply on Facebook and was never online on Skype. Getting worried we contacted Luke's brothers and found out she had been staying down at their beach house because of frequent hospital visits.
I think we got to Skype her once after she got back and then we just got to hear updates from a pastor that spent a lot of time by Brenda's side and Luke's brother who was able to call on the phone. They told us she most likely had one more month to live but soon it changed to a week and then a day. We booked the tickets to fly out but unfortunately she passed four days before we came in.
Our plan from the start was to come over here for about three months to either be able to help around the house and spend time with Brenda or help out preparing for the funeral. When we got the news that she didn't make it we knew the trip would be focused on the funeral, so this whole trip that is what we have been waiting for and now this past Saturday it was finally time.
It was hard having to wait for it for so long because to me it felt like we didn't just wait to say good bye, but we were also waiting for the moment we could grab a hold of the fact that she's gone. It's still hard to understand that she's not here anymore but at least the funeral gave a little closure.
The memorial service was beautiful. It was a very loving atmosphere which was all we really wanted. Around 100 people came to celebrate the life Brenda had and to remember what an amazing woman she was.
She was so much more than a mother-in-law to me and I am so grateful for the little time I got to spend with her. I feel really selfish the moments I wish she could come back because I know she is in a much, much better place. But believe me, she was extraordinary. She loved Jesus with all her heart and you could see it in everything she did. She was so full of life and it rubbed of on everyone around her.
We will forever remember her as the wonderful woman she was and we will tell our kids stories about their nana.
Sure it feels like we're all suffering a great loss, but lucky for us, it won't be long till we'll see each other again.
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| Elias, Nathan, Allen, Zachary and Luke. Brenda's four sons and husband. |
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| Brenda |
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| Location of the Memorial Service |
Beautiful, Sandra!! So glad you were able to process through it all a bit more by writing. You found the perfect words.
SvaraRaderaWe miss you and your sweet family already!
xo