We went to Missouri to lay my sweet, sassy Momma to rest this past week. She’d gone on hospice and passed away a few days later.
Many had the opportunity to visit with her before she passed and she was in good spirits all the way through. (I hope I can have such joy when my time comes.) She was happy, cracking jokes, and ready to go on home. Full of grace and joy.
It seems these days, most of our family photos get taken in the grave yard. It’s the only place we’re all gathered. Even this time, we were missing a brother. He pulled out of the funeral procession line and didn’t go to the burial of our beloved mother. Not sure why.
But he missed out on the family photo of those of us who remain in our immediate family. Which makes me sad but seems to be the story of our lives. There’s not one photo (I’m aware of) of all of us kids with our parents. So this is as close as we can get these days.
I love them all dearly.
Many tears were shed for my sweet mom and God knows what a wonderful woman He took home. We will miss her in so many ways but we're happy she's no longer suffering here.
On my way back to Tennessee, we stopped to take a break. After browsing the store and feeling refreshed, we headed back to our car and noticed a heart drawn in the dust on the tailgate with my niece's nickname beside it.
A beautiful reminder.
I've been . . . home.
The place that made me who I am today and I wouldn't have it any other way. Where dirt roads stir up dust and sweet memories of family. Where loved ones left their mark for me to carry on to another part of the world.
I went there to remember my mom but returned with a little heart in the dust.
We are all made of dust and one day we will return to dust. Hopefully, we will leave a little heart behind for someone else and leave a little love along the way. Life is short. Let people know you love them while you can.
By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”
Genesis 3:19 (NIV)
Leave a little heart in the dust of someone's life.