Happy Birthday Grandma June

Dear Grandma,

I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I miss you.  I think of all the wonderful memories we all had at your house and I will always hold them dear to my heart.  You have touched all of our lives with your unconditional love and your legacy of faith.  You were such a strong woman.  I am happy that you are in heaven now and that you can be with Grandpa.  Say hi to Faith Ann from her momma.  I am glad that she has you to take care of her.   About a year after you left us, I delivered a healthy baby boy.  His name is Jake and he will be 2 in January.  You would have loved to see his joyful smile.  Annika and Caleb ask about you often. Caleb says he remembers you and likes to hear us talk about you.  Annika misses you too.  We'll see you someday in heaven.  Happy Birthday!  I love you and wish you were with me right now.  Darcee

Grandma’s House

Grandma’s House was built with strong hands,

With Faith, and with the tenderness of a mother’s love…

She welcomed me into her house, her heart opened

To pass on her love to this tiny baby cradled tenderly

In her gentle arms

And Love gave birth once again at Grandma’s house

Grandchildren filled her house with the song of laughter

Little feet running into her kitchen, delighting in simple

Childhood games and weaving memories together

And Grandma’s love stretched out to them like Lilies In June

That flourished in the garden outside Grandma’s house

Summers at Grandma’s house were flavored with the scents

Of Grandma’s garden, of canning rhubarb

The sweet juices of garden corn and red tomatoes dribbled

Down my chin, chicken frying, and endless cookies to bake

In the evenings, we rocked on the old porch swing

Grandma shared stories, and I shared dreams

She chased my nightmares away when I was afraid

She nursed me to health when I was sick

And Grandma’s love always persevered

When we stayed at Grandma’s house

A young woman, I returned again to Grandma’s house

Although the distance had grown between our dwellings,

Our love held us close through the many miles

She held my own precious baby girl, her tender eyes glowing

With love for her brand new great grandchild

And her heart once again expanded to draw in love

Because more younguns have filled Grandma’s house

Grandma’s house is a bridge to my dreams

I close my eyes and the memories come…

I am once again at Grandma’s house

I can still remember the sounds, the smells

The quiet strength of Faith she upheld

I can still hear her voice, calling my name

The soft noise of her rustling in her kitchen

I drink in my surroundings, my memory grasping

Every detail, trinket, picture and book

The kisses she stole and hugs she gave

Her “I love you’s” and her soft touch

And that is how memories have been built of Grandma’s house

Now a new house has been prepared for Grandma,

Where the streets are paved with gold and angels dance

The divine hand of Christ brings her home,

He whispers like rushing waters, “Well done Good and Faithful Servant”

Grandpa is there too, along with all her dear family and friends

They welcome her home

Grandma leaves us with her sweet memories to share

And with hope and faith, we will delight in that day when

Once again we are welcomed into Grandma’s house

And the Lord said:

“DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED.  TRUST IN GOD,

TRUST ALSO IN ME.  IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE ARE MANY ROOMS:

IF IT WERE NOT SO, I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU.  I AM GOING THERE

TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU.  AND IF I GO AND

PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, I WILL COME BACK

AND TAKE YOU TO BE WITH ME

THAT YOU MAY ALSO KNOW WHERE I AM”

JOHN 14:1-4

--Darcee Zehm

January 16, 2009

read at June Reed's funeral