From White-Capped Mountainous Men
Ahh, I have missed being here with you!
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| Photo credit to my cousin, Naomi W. |
Sipping dark roast coffee in my favorite brown and navy mug, I’m pulled up close to my roll top wooden desk and smiling as I think of you.
- You: my online community of bloggers in these growing friendships across the nation and across the world; or
- You: this group of almost 500 of you who have signed up to receive these blog posts by email; or
- You: friends, family, and acquaintances from women’s retreats, conferences, and MOPS groups who stop in here from my facebook page; and
- You: the quiet readers online who smile, and nod, and I know we are sharing a common experience at times too…
I am so thankful for you and humbled by you being here. Thank you.
I flew out to Washington state last week to honor my grandma at her celebration of life service in Yakima. Touching down at the Seattle-Tacoma airport, I craned my head for glimpses of mountains.
The weekend flashed by in vivid moments with relatives:
- My mom and cousin delighted at the chance to buy dozens of roses for the occasion. Fragrant crimson, peach, coral, honeyed-yellows, pinks, and white roses dotted the church dining room
- Long talks with my brother and sister curled up around his gas stove, wrapped in warm blankets
- Tucking up legs under us on a couch, or standing and swaying with the motions of passing people, my cousins and I got re-acquainted, and I got to meet old family friends and relatives too.
- My grandpa moved to tears as we hugged, and later hearing his wavering but strong voice as he sang a Hebrew blessing from the Old Testament over his extended family.
I sing that in silence for you too, my friends, this weekend.
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face towards you
and give you peace (from the Bible book of Numbers, chapter 6).
And as craggy white-capped Mount Rainier towered across the airport, looming larger than I could believe, my brother’s car pulled away from the curb, and I strode into the airport that Sunday afternoon. My grandpa’s voice and words still linger.
smiles…sounds like you had a great trip…gosh i love those mountains…its been too long since i was on the left coast…its cool to be around family like that as well…would loved to hear him sing that blessing…
Brian,
It was so neat to hear him sing in Hebrew and then again in English. And the mountains… they are magnificent. 🙂
Thanks for stopping in,
Jennifer Dougan
jenniferdougan.com
P.S.
May this spring semester go smoothly.
Those were the same words the doctor said to my mother-in-law the night she died. When he got to "give you peace" she stopped and said, "Give me peace. I like that." With only 6% of her heart working it wasn't too much longer until she was in the presence of the Ultimate Peace-Giver.
I'm sorry for loss… I'm glad you got to spend time with loved ones. This life is short. Funny, in an odd way we're on the same page this week. Blessings to you and yours.
Oh Jennifer! I'm so sorry for your loss. May God give you peace, and bring your Grandmother home with him. I know you were a wonderful comfort to your Grandfather. There's just nothing like family.
My son lives in suburban Seattle, so I have flown into SeaTac several times. I was right with you…
Blessings,
Ceil
Beautiful Mount Rainier! We saw that this summer. I’m glad you had a good time connecting with your family as you celebrated your Grandmother’s life
Ah, those mountains. I hope you enjoyed your trip, it sounds as if you did. I don't there's anything better than catching up with family especially those you haven't seen in a while.
Jennifer,
What beauty in your grandfather's words and in Mr. Rainer…sorry for your loss and I pray God continues to comfort you and your family.
'the quiet readers online who smile, and nod, and I know we are sharing a common experience at times too…'
That would definitely be me, I think. Love your writing. Beautiful post. Those times when we get abide still, even if only for seconds, in a moment that we can actually know, at the time, we will cherish later, are just so special. For me, my first embrace with my nephews, or sitting on the porch with my mother during a sunny evening a couple years back just talking, or seeing my bride walk down the aisle on our wedding day (I was convinced I wouldn't cry or get emotional when it happened. Apparently I didn't know myself as well as I thought) all qualify. I'm learning to look out for those moments more readily now the older I get. Only experience seems to hone my sense of when they are happening.
Jennifer, I'm so sorry for your loss. It's so hard to say goodbye to a grandparent. I'm glad you could be there to be comforted by and also offer comfort to your family. May God continue to minister to you and yours. Hugs.
Love that bible verse…it brings peace to my heart! Blessings to you and your family,
from Julia
(New Zealand)
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