Episode 75 - Epilogue

Today is my mother's funeral. Tomorrow we will lay her to rest beside my Dad. Within a couple days, our kids will go home, I will return to work and "life will go on." Mom has reached her reward and my imagination sees her chasing down the heavenly grounds crew, to point out a portion of golden street that needs a bit of polish.  I wonder if she has reconnected with Lawrence Welk, Guy Lombardo, Vestal Goodman and the other musicians who have gone before, who brought her so much joy via recorded programming.  What was it like to see my Dad after 30 years. Does she look 85 or is her new heavenly body more a Fabulous Forty model? I am sure she is arthritis free (Praise God) and her mind has returned to complete clarity. I know she isn't an angel... and I'm fairly certain she isn't "looking down". She is fully occupied and happy ... not "missing" us, but going about the business of Glory. I understand "time" is not the same. It may be years here, but days there before we are reunited. Do you suppose there is a heavenly loudspeaker, summoning the saints when loved ones are near?  "Now arriving Gate C ... NanaMama..." and everyone goes running that direction. They strike up a band (maybe Mom will play in it...) and we are ushered into the heavenly realm?  I just wonder, you know?

This is the fourth day since Mom died. We had a wonderful time at the visitation last night. Aging faces I had not seen in years and familiar faces of friends who came to pay respect and say goodbye to their friend. Several came who didn't know Mom at all, (or only through the blog) but wanted to show us support.  It was an amazing time and I heard myself say repeatedly, "We have no regrets." 

My heart leaped as I saw our son, DIL and grandson from KY come through the doors. They had driven all day to be with us. (The last son will arrive today).  I enjoyed the laughter and running footsteps of Lil A and Belle as they played around us. We planned an hour of sharing during the visitation that was very informal. We sat in a circle and probably 25 or 30 of us reminisced and told stories about Mom. It was comforting. I enjoyed and appreciated hearing my sons talk about their Grandmother. They were 'tops' in her book - and she was clearly the same in theirs.  I imagined what stories might be told of me someday in a similar circle, by Belle, Lil A and all their siblings and cousins to come. 

As I've mentioned before, Life with NanaMama's Mama is in its final episodes. It has been for me: therapeutic, a creative outlet and a record of family history. It has given strangers a glimpse into a family matter of dealing with an aging parent... and empathy to those who live with one of their own. 

In time, I will hopefully blog again http://nanamamasjoy.blogspot.com/  but for now I just thank all of you for the encouragement and support you have given me!

So ends Episode 75