I still sometimes think of her. In a certain smell. In a random conversation. In something that I may like, just like she did. Or something that my kids did or the way my one son looks like his great grandpa; I think of how grandma would’ve just loved that. Grief has a way of sneaking up into our hearts even long after the initial passing. Sometimes out of nowhere I cry missing her. Sometimes I smile and get excited when I find something special, or even simple, that reminds me of her. I talk about her often enough that even though my husband never got the chance to meet her, he still loves her. He loves the joy she once gave me and all the special memories that I share, and the parts of me that were like her. I miss my grandma dearly; it’s been almost nine years. One of the hardest things that I have learned about getting older, is the people that we lose along the way. Grief is difficult and when we lose someone very dear to our hearts, we cling tight to those memories. I think, “Why can’t the people we love, live forever with us.” Then I remember, we do have the hope of heaven. Where someday we will get to be with the Lord and our loved ones, forever. So, until that day comes, I will hold close to my heart the memories that remain, until I can hold them close again. Friend, if you are grieving or just missing a loved one, hold onto God’s hope. Know, that as Christ-followers this isn’t the end. It is a see you later. May we go to God when our hearts are heavy, may we pray for His peace and comfort. May we hold tight to the memories and praise God for the time we shared with our loved one. May we take a deep breath, this life isn’t forever, but someday, heaven will be. What a glorious day that will be to be with God, alongside all those our hearts have been longing for again. Through my tears of grief for my grandma, I can still smile because she left me so much joy to hang onto. Until we meet again, I’ll hang tight to the memories that remain.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Until we meet again

Psalm 34:18 NIV

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Revelation 21:4 NIV

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NIV

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.