Today is my Grandmother’s birthday. She would have been 96.
Eileen Biles Bauman passed away just last week.
I couldn’t blog about it right away, so I’ve been planning a post in her honor for 2 weeks. It still wasn’t enough time to process and figure out how to put all I have on my heart in one post. So, that’s just to let you know, I’ll be mentioning my grandma again in the future…
Meanwhile, a little story from the day I learned she had passed away…
Grandma Bauman was old. She’d lived a good life – so many wonderful stories, not the least of which was her miraculous conversion to a saving faith in Jesus Christ after immigrating here from England after World War II. In her later years she slowly lost her memory and the ability to know those around her. I was so grateful for the last time I had seen her – she was especially lucid that day and remembered me and Jeremy and got to meet Jesse and pray over us.
That was nearly 3 years ago. I always knew it would be my last memory of her, and was grateful it was such a sweet one. Nevertheless, the news of her passing brought me to tears. Even as I cried (all the while trying to figure out why I was crying- after all, it was like she’d been gone already for years – why did I have to cry?- I’m very analytical!) my husband came over, wrapped his arms around me and reminded me of something that turned my tears to laughter.
“She’s in heaven now – hugging Jesus.”
For a period of 3 minutes, after the phone-call, I had completely forgotten about heaven! I was immediately comforted, having my perspective adjusted by an eternal focus.
Dear readers, please don’t forget about heaven! Please don’t forget that this life is but a vapor – but a breath before an eternity we were created for. Will you spend it worshiping Jesus Christ? I look forward to doing so right next to my grandmother, who I hope will still be singing in her English accent.
Bye, Gram. See you soon.
Blessings to you! Just the way you signed it, “Bye Gram. See you soon.” It brought tears! How wonderful, how AWEsome, that we live forever after this short earthly life….I can't even fathom it… everybody I love, everybody I've loved and cared about, and hopefully those I love and pray for who don't yet know their Savior, together praising our AWESOME God! How true, this life goes so fast.
*Hugs Trina*
I'm sorry for your loss, but, as you said, she's in heaven now and that is certainly something to rejoice in!
Beautiful, Trina. My sympathy to you and your family.
What a blessing & joy to know you will see your grandmother again one day! My grammy passed away over six years ago, with us never having complete certainty of her spiritual condition. I trust that in her last few lucid moments, something was said that changed her heart. God knows.
Praying that you will find strength in the Saviour and His precious promises.
What a wonderful last memory you have of her praying for you. Yes, I think of heaven often and look forward to seeing both my grandmas and my brother. How wonderful God is!
Aww …
My grandmother – aged 90 – died in December. Actually on Christmas Day … which was her favourite day of the year. I'm so glad for her every time I remember that she's in heaven now.
Sounds like our grandmothers might be friends in heaven – being of a similar age and nationality and all.
But the best thing is knowing that they're with Him … forever.
Praying for you at this time.