At the last, she smiled.

Today my grandmother, Ruth Amanda Stordahl Henry passed away.  She was 90.  She was lovely.  And I will miss her dearly.

Ruth is someone who never wanted a big deal made about her, but I can't help writing.  Part of the reason is that the reflection helps me to cope, but I also cannot help but share the story of her passing.  It is beautiful in its simplicity and mystery.

Lying in the hospital bed, she had been sleeping a lot because of the pain medication.  She woke up and she was looking around the room.  As I am told, almost as if she was looking for someone.  Then a big smile of recognition broke out across her face.  She said to the vision, "I'm fine" and then she was gone.

I sit here and speculate what it is that she saw.  Was it an angel?  Was it a messenger from God?  Was it a delusion?  All are possible, I suppose.  I choose to believe that it was my grandpa.  I am not sure if that's theologically correct, but I wonder if God himself wouldn't have rejoiced in their reunion enough to send him to get her.

I believe she had just been waiting for today for a long time.  I am glad that she does not have to feel lonely anymore.  I am glad that she will be whole again - with a body and a mind that will never again betray her.

She was the last grandparent of mine to pass away.  I have mourned for them all, but I know with her, as with the others, that this is not a goodbye.  By the grace of God we will meet again one day.

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  -Romans 8:37-39