I just learned that my grandmother died this morning.
Please join me in praying for Mildred Christine Cameron Scott, my Grandma Millie.
May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord; may perpetual light shine upon her.
Here a a few of my favorite verses from the Office for the Dead:
From the earth you formed me, with flesh you clothed me; Lord, my Redeemer,
raise me up again at the last day.I waited, waited for the Lord,
and he stooped down to me,
he heard my cry.he drew me forth from the deadly pit,
from the mirey clay.
He set my feet upon rock,
and made my footsteps firm.He put a new song into my mouth,
praise of our God.
Many shall see and fear
and shall trust in the Lord.O let there be rejoicing and gladness
for all who seek you.
Let them ever say: “The Lord is great,”
who love your saving help.
Why are you cast down, my soul,
why groan within me?
Hope in God; I will praise him still,
my savior and my God.
Now I am going to tell you a mystery. Not all of us shall fall asleep, but all of us are to be changed—in an instant, in the twinkle of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet. The trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. This corruptible body must be clothed with incorruptibility, this mortal body with immortality. When the corruptible frame takes on incorruptibility and the mortal immortality, will the saying of the Scripture be fulfilled: ‘O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of deathis sin, and sin gets its power from the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord God,
You are the glory of believers
and the life of the just.
Your Son redeemed us
by dying and rising to life again.
Our sister, Mildred, was faithful
and believed in our own resurrection.
Give to her the joys and blessings
of he life to come.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.
Amen.
Oh, Melanie, I’m so sorry for your loss and sad that you cannot be with your family. Your post is so true and poignant. My family is in MD and I’m here in MA and there are many times I have felt just this way. I pray that on Saturday you will have moments of peace and joy. I am sure your grandmother would approve of the great and amazing work you do each day as mother to four little ones.
My heart and prayer are with you this November, Melanie. Thank God for the Communion of Saints in our Catholic homes.
Melanie, that is so hard. I will be thinking of you… I’m looking forward to reading about your grandmother, when you are ready to write the words. But until then… write away from your sadness, write out all the fragments and sighs and if only’s… when we read we are with you. Have you thought of writing something to send down?
This describes my exact circumstances and feelings back in September when I missed my grandma’s funeral in Wisconsin. I was stuck here in Arizona with all four children recovering from thyroid surgery and a (second) cancer diagnosis. I knew my grandma would understand though, and I loved her for it.
I am so sorry for what you are going through. Praying for you.
Thinking of you, dear Melanie, and joining in spirit with you and your family and friends in prayer.
Dear Melanie,
Please accept my sympathy. Your grief is palpable. In this age of technology is there any way Skype could be utilized and your family be present at the funeral? Do consider sending something to be read. Yet aren’t you blessed with the knowledge that you can speak to creation and connect to your grandmother and the other great Body of Saints? May you find peace as you gaze upon the Crucifix, a blooming plant, a red leaf in the rain. Know that your many readers hold you in prayer during this most difficult time.
Oh melanie, I’m so sorry. It is wonderful you have such a close-knit family and extended family and I’m sure they would have loved to have you and your family there tomorrow. I’m sure your grandmother would have understood and if she was half so devoted to her family as you are would have more than approved. Maybe tomorrow at 10am, you can light a candle for her and put out a picture of her and say some prayers for her with the kids? I know you’d rather all of you be together in Illinois, but you will be together through Christ honoring her memory and raising her soul to God’s merciful and loving embrace. God bless all of you during this difficult time.
Melanie, I’ve been a lurker on your blog for a while, but haven’t commented till now. I was in the same position (four children under five) a few years ago. (Well, more than a few – my “baby” is nearly 12). There were times that it was wonderful, and times when it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
I’m sorry for your loss, and I sympathize your longing to be home. At the same time, however, I’m sure your grandmother understands. We were fortunate enough to be able to move back to my home town shortly before the birth of my fourth daughter, and my mother was a great help at that time, but she was also helping care for her mother, who was failing. One day, she went in to visit her mother and was greeted with “What are you doing here? You should be out helping your daughter with those babies!” My grandmother had seven children, and remembered well what the early days were like.
Reading your blog takes me back to those days, both the frustrations and the joys, as I now deal with three teenagers and one 11 year old. Thank you for sharing your experiences with your readers. I remember you and your family in your prayers.
Thank you, everyone, for your prayers and kind words. I will be remembering you all in my prayers.