Today is the end of the two-week cycle for the children’s schoolwork, so it’s been a busy morning of finishing subjects, taking tests, and being set free for the weekend. It’s always such a great accomplishment to finish a workbook and close it and write a score on the front of it. Whew! I feel like I have earned that grade as much as the children have.

Another nice thing about today is that it’s the first day of Michael’s long weekend off work. So he is here to help shoulder some of the load. It’s always so nice to have a co-worker. One of his jobs today was to take Amelia to the party store to pick out supplies for the birthday party we’re going to let her have in a week or so. We’ve never thrown an actual, official birthday party, so this is an exciting event. We have Strawberry Shortcake invitations, tattoos, pencils, balloons, and cupcake toppers. I’m already getting excited about this event. (Remind me I said that when I’m overwhelmed with last-minute preparations!)

Last night I visited my grandmother. She is in her last days on this earth. She is no longer able to carry on a conversation, so my visits with her require some creativity. Last night I sang out of the hymnal, and then she asked me to read to her. So I opened the Bible and started reading various passages. Interestingly, Grandma was able to complete quite a few of the verses that I would start. She could often fill in the missing words if I would pause. It’s obvious that the Scripture is tucked away safely in her heart, even though she cannot express it very well.

I don’t know why God allows the elderly to linger and suffer in their last days. Perhaps it is so that the youngsters surrounding them will learn valuable lessons about loving and caring for those who are helpless. I took Isaac with me last night, and he was very patient as we stayed and visited with Grandma. He even joined in on one of the songs I sang to her. We sang together, “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever…” It seemed like Isaac used the same part of him that interacts with the babies he knows as he was interacting with my grandmother. He was gentle and sweet and used a kind voice as he talked to her.

Grandma is so eager to meet Jesus face to face. She is not afraid of death; rather, she looks forward to death as a release from her failing body. Last night I asked her, “Does God talk to you?” She said emphatically, “Yes He does!” I asked, “What does He say?” She replied, “I love you!” As she said the words, I knew in my heart that it was absolutely true. God is with her and comforting her even more than the people around her. He whispers, “I love you!”, and she understands. My grandmother’s life has been a wonderful example to me, and now, as she faces death, she continues to provide an excellent example.