For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ~2 Corinthians 5:1-10
As much as we may relish a vacation away from home, there is always a part of us that longs to be home again. Good-byes, though, are never easy. And, of course, that's how we all feel when our precious family must load up their rental car and drive away.
Surprisingly, it is the youngest grand, Alexandra, who voices her reluctance to depart. She truly has enjoyed an extraordinary time with her Gammie and Papa, and tells us repeatedly that she doesn't want to go home. Pointing to the letters on our mantelpiece, Alexandra says solemnly, "Look! I'm already home. I don't need to go anywhere else!"
You can just imagine how my tears flow with this declaration. Honestly, I don't want to let my family go, but reason tells me I have no choice. This is simply how life works, and I've lived long enough to know the rules, whether I like them or not.
On their way back to North Carolina, John makes an observation, "It sure will be hard to turn in this spacious rental car."
Alexandra pipes up, "Not as hard as it was to leave Gammie and Papa!"
Spot on! I cry off and on for the better part of a week as I sort through photos and recollect all the fun times we shared together. I'm trusting that in the grand scheme of things, God will find a way to reunite us all sooner than later.
Until then, I will keep the faith, and look forward to every FaceTime in which we engage.
And I can rest assured that, one day, the Father will bring us all home to Him.
Amen!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteWell each farewell is like Marjane Satrapi so well said: 'Nothing's worse than saying goodbye. It's a little like dying'.
So very true and it is an emotion that none of us look forward too!
We both have been very well trained in doing so... It sure does prepare you and with the knowledge that no matter what—we will see each other again!
Don't understand why you are using the word 'gammie' as it is a crude Scottish expression. Definitely not in sync with your book publications...🤔
Hugs,
Mariette
I must agree that saying good-bye does feel a bit like a part of us is dying inside, Mariette.
DeleteAs to you following comment, I am not familiar, whatsoever, with Scottish slang, nor have I sought to use such in a personal manner. "Gammie" originated from the movie, "The Proposal, " as that is what the young man called his grandmother in the film (grandmother played by Betty White). We were expecting Virginia at the time, and I wanted a title that didn't make me feel old enough to be a grandma. That was it!
I must admit, though, I am very taken aback that you would even think I would call myself Gammie if I were aware of the origins. Honestly, I wish you had expressed your concerns privately instead of here on the blog where everyone can research on their own time.
Love and blessings!
Martha Jane, it is YOU using it here on the blog for everyone to read... Both of us have never been impressed by any Hollywood movie—they are NOT our role models! You are a writer and with that comes the responsibility for what you say or write.
DeleteYes, I realize the responsibility for what I write definitely falls on my shoulders in the end, but why I should be aware of this slang term, never used or heard of in my experiences, is beyond me. It disturbs me that you jumped so quickly to conclusions that you know do not fit my personality whatsoever. God bless!
DeleteMartha Jane, that was not my conclusion—just read what the Scottish meaning was. We have both the right to disagree on certain things—that doesn't mean it is personally meant.
DeleteFences mended. Yes, we have the right to disagree. Let us do so with grace and forgiveness.
Delete💞 Hoping to soon meet you in person before it will be too late...
DeleteAm at the hospital right now... Stress test this morning and hoping nothing wrong with my heart. Maybe my lungs. Sad ending of Pieter"s Birthday and I've never been in such excruciating pain. Morphine did not help...
DeleteOh, Mariette, I'm so, so sorry and saddened to hear this!!! I will keep you in prayer!
Delete💞
DeleteWe saw the grandsons last night at the "Evening of Excellence" at their school. We got hugs from all of them, including the brand-new teenager.
ReplyDeleteHow cool is that, Glynn? It's the best when you get that unexpected hug from a teenager! Virginia is turning 13 in July, and my prayer is she'll never outgrow a hug from her grandparents.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh Martha you bring tears to my eyes, I hate goodbyes. -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad this post touched your heart, Christine.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I now know why my grandma who lived in Georgia always had tears in her eyes when we got ready to leave. I now know what was going through her heart. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThat precious memory of yours says it all, Cecelia. I used to wonder that about my own grandmothers, and now, of course, I completely understand.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Bittersweet. Who among us can't identify to that feeling on some level? I'm reminded of something a man told me many years ago: 'Arrivederci. Not so final as you American's 'goodbye'; instead, until we meet again.'
ReplyDeletePS - That's a wonderful family photo on the stairs -- frame worthy!
Bittersweet, indeed, Myra. I do love that expression in Italian that translates not as good-bye, but as "see you next time." And yes, that photo is one of my favorites. I do plan on having it framed.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Enjoy every visit, every memory, every bit of laughter and fun, friend. God is so good to have blessed us with this next generation.
ReplyDeleteYes, Linda, we are most definitely blessed by our grands, and thankful for children who understand how important it us for their parents to see their grandchildren.
DeleteLove and blessings!
OH, this is so very bittersweet. I know those feelings so well...and when it was us with our own little family of three boys leaving Grandma and Grandpa's house...yes it was always so hard to "go back home", but we always look forward to the next time! I know you will treasure the pictures and every sweet memory in your heart, until you meet again and can make some more sweet memories together. Keep looking up...God is with you all!!!
ReplyDeleteGod is with us all, Pamela, of that I'm sure and certain, and I thank Him for the days we all had together. Yes, there will be more!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Grandkids are so special and precious. I am having lunch with Lauren on May 6th and can't wait. So glad we can do that every couple of months! We just have to hold the memories close and rejoice in the times we can be together!! You have such a beautiful family!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terri! I'm glad to know that you'll be seeing Lauren soon, too, and that you don't have to go but a few months between visits. Grandchildren are precious, indeed!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Your grand is so sweet in wanting to stay forever with you, and I know you feel the same. Our heavenly home will find us all together one day.
ReplyDeleteYes, we will truly be at home in our heavenly dwelling, Terra. I pray that God will give us many years ahead to be with one another in this world, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh my yes, how I too long to go home. While there has been a great many things I've cherished in this life. Wonderful adventures, great friends, and a loving wife whom I cherish, I can't wait until that upward call to go home. God's blessings sweet friend. Sounds as though you miss them already.
ReplyDeleteI miss them every day, J. D., without fail. The FaceTime does help ease the longing, but it can never replace the in-person moments. Soon enough, my friend, we will all be going home.
DeleteLove and blessings!
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW....how precious...that sure gives me so much joy to read this...ditto on what your previous commenters have wrote. Have a beautiful weekend, friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda! I'm so glad this post brought some joy into your day. That is what I always hope my blogs will do.
DeleteLove and blessings!
When it's time to return home that is always sad. Glad you had a great visit and created lots of new memories.
ReplyDeleteOur visit was spectacular, Bill. I wouldn't trade it for the world!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Right with you, Martha. It's so exciting and wonderful when our whole family can be together, but such a letdown when they leave! The alternative would be worse, however--never seeing them at all. And I AM so grateful that our children, in-law children, and grands love each other and get along. The worst of all must be families with estrangement among siblings, who refuse to be together at the same function or even talk to one another. How terribly sad for everyone, but especially the mom and dad.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Nancy, how terrible and tragic that would be for all involved in such a family. I'm so glad you have a loving and cohesive family to cling to and to love, and know that they love you back with unconditional acceptance. We are blessed beyond measure!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Yes, it is always sad when family have to leave and go home. But you must be assured that you have given your grands happy memories that they will treasure throughout their lives. Thank you for that.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you all.
That's my hope and prayer, Victor. Time passes, but memories will last forever.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh Martha, what a sweet story about Alexandra and her exclamations of being "home." Sweet girl, I'm sure it was hard for her and all of them to leave you and Danny. Thankful many wonderful memories were made and treasured in your heart.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful beyond words, Karen, and so grateful for the time we had together, and the amazing memories we made. I know you feel the same about your grandchildren and their parents. Give Big T a hug for me, and the grands, too!
DeleteLove and blessings!
God's Blessings, to you, and all your family, my friend!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked this post about family, Lon!
DeleteLove and blessings!
PS Martha, I just want to let you know, I'm at a different location now, seeing I didn't like the name of my older blog.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless!
I will check you out at your new blog, new friend.
DeleteLove and blessings!
It will be so good to be home with the Saviour.
ReplyDeleteAmen, David - one day . . .
DeleteLove and blessings!
Heartwarming as always, Martha. We grandparents get to experience a different kind of love and always wrestle with the bittersweet nature of our time with our grandchildren. Your heart always goes on display when you write and its one of the things we love about you. Contemplating our next "leaving" experience we'll have to endure with our own grandchildren renews my inexpressible gratitude for God's incredible promise to bring us all "home" eventually.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ron, for your kind and thoughtful words here. Being able to trust without question God's promise to bring all of us home one day gives me such great solace and comfort. Maybe, too, it is knowing that our days enjoying grandchildren here on earth won't last as long as we'd like that makes letting them go even more difficult. Still, that time together is worth its weight in gold.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a precious post! It is hard going back home when our loved ones are not close by. I understand. Beautiful thoughts & a beautiful phamily. Thank you for your friendship here. Have a wonderful new week and a month too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne, for your sweet words here today. Wasn't it Shakespeare who wrote, "Parting is such sweet sorrow."? It sure was for us having to see them headed home. I'm hoping we can see them again once summer rolls around.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Those darn grandkids. They always seem to pull at the heart strings don't they? We spent the weekend in Ohio and had some super special time with our daughter and grandson. never enough of course, but then again he is at the age (16 1/2) where time with his grandparents is sort of a side glance. I know he loves us and even though he would rather watch grass grow than be with us, he loves us. And I never say goodbye. I always say see you later. You gotta love those pictures and memories.
ReplyDeleteI do love the photos and the still-fresh memories, Bill, and I'm so glad you recently visited with your grandson. Whether he pays a lot of attention to you, at least you know that he still loves you. The teenage years are so hard on kids. Virginia will turn 13 in July, and I pray she will stay just as sweet as she is right now.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh, sweet friend! My heart just breaks for you. I know you must miss them so much. It is so sweet that your little granddaughter said those things. I know they all miss you as much as you miss them. May God comfort your dear, loving heart.
ReplyDeleteI do miss them all terribly, Cheryl, but I'm finding comfort in the fact that we did have this amazing time together, and that God richly blessed us through it.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Bom dia, Martha
ReplyDeleteQue postagem linda, tão cheia de amor, "a saudade é onde o nosso coração deseja estar", a família é um bem precioso que Deus nos deu para cuidar aqui na terra e no céu todos estaremos juntos, que maravilha, um forte abraço.
Absolutely, Lucinalva! God gave us families here on earth to remind us what unconditional love is, the kind of love He is faithful to share with us.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Beautiful share and such a truth. I am excited for the day I can walk heaven and see so many . Thanks for stopping to say hi to me too. Yes water spouts. I found two lovely photos to share and one was marked water spouts in the ocean but the other one was not marked. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week and your weekend too.
ReplyDeleteI guessed correctly, then. I'm so glad you verified that for me, Anne!
DeleteOne day, we will all know the best reunion ever, won't we? Until that time, let us enjoy and cherish every moment we have here on earth.
Love and blessings!
Hi Martha Jane, I know what it is like when the family is separate. Our family lives all over the United kingdom. I am just thankful that we can go on a loner across to the mainland and take out car with us. We are hoping to go over to Wales soon. God bless.
ReplyDeleteOh, Brenda, I do hope you can make this trip to see family sooner than later. Family is everything when it comes down to it, and the more we can see each other in person, the better.
DeleteLove and blessings!