Widows & Widowers Support Group
This community is dedicated to those who have lost a husband, wife, or partner. Anything is open for discussion here, with the hope that we can focus on grief, bereavement, life after loss, and continuing on after a great loss.
Last week I traveled to Fort Jackson, SC, to watch our grandson graduate from Basic Training. I was completely taken back at the emotions I felt and what I learned about my anticipation of Heaven.
As all the parents and family members patiently watched a military presentation, I was surprised at some of the thoughts that kept running through my mind at such a time. Finally we were dismissed to leave the building and find our soldiers waiting with their company in formation.
I compared my emotions to what my first sight of Heaven might be like. I thought of my beloved DH waiting for me, I envisioned the Lord ready to greet me with open arms, and I thought of never having to be apart againno tears, no sorrow, no gut-wrenching pain. The joy that went along with that vision was overwhelming.
I know I'm rambling a bit as I try to describe my feelings when I first recognized our dear grandson. I couldn't touch him, couldn't hear his voice, and he couldn't show signs of recognizing his family until his drill sergeant released Alpha Company. I wasn't 15 feet from him and I yearned to hug that boy more than I can describe. The need to feel his hug and hear that voice that I used to shush when he got too rowdy with his sister brought tears to this grandma. I can't even begin to imagine what the dear spouses must bear as they watch their loved ones being deployed. I'm learning that there are life lessons in every event; no event is insignificant. There's always something to grasp, something that illustrates that life isn't just about now and me. There's so much more to it.
How exciting it must be to join a loved one in Heaven, see the saints of old, and recognize beloved friends and family. I can't imagine that we have a word or words here on Earth that can adequately describe the emotionsheavenly bliss, joy unimaginablethey are but feeble attempts at an inexpressible ecstasy. Oh glorious reunion! Thank you, Lord, for the promise of a magnificent celebration yet to be experienced.
I hope you don't mind that I shared this experience with you. It was another eye-opener for me. TJ
As all the parents and family members patiently watched a military presentation, I was surprised at some of the thoughts that kept running through my mind at such a time. Finally we were dismissed to leave the building and find our soldiers waiting with their company in formation.
I compared my emotions to what my first sight of Heaven might be like. I thought of my beloved DH waiting for me, I envisioned the Lord ready to greet me with open arms, and I thought of never having to be apart againno tears, no sorrow, no gut-wrenching pain. The joy that went along with that vision was overwhelming.
I know I'm rambling a bit as I try to describe my feelings when I first recognized our dear grandson. I couldn't touch him, couldn't hear his voice, and he couldn't show signs of recognizing his family until his drill sergeant released Alpha Company. I wasn't 15 feet from him and I yearned to hug that boy more than I can describe. The need to feel his hug and hear that voice that I used to shush when he got too rowdy with his sister brought tears to this grandma. I can't even begin to imagine what the dear spouses must bear as they watch their loved ones being deployed. I'm learning that there are life lessons in every event; no event is insignificant. There's always something to grasp, something that illustrates that life isn't just about now and me. There's so much more to it.
How exciting it must be to join a loved one in Heaven, see the saints of old, and recognize beloved friends and family. I can't imagine that we have a word or words here on Earth that can adequately describe the emotionsheavenly bliss, joy unimaginablethey are but feeble attempts at an inexpressible ecstasy. Oh glorious reunion! Thank you, Lord, for the promise of a magnificent celebration yet to be experienced.
I hope you don't mind that I shared this experience with you. It was another eye-opener for me. TJ
I, too, look forward to the time when I will again be with Jim in Heaven but thank you for reminding me tonight how quickly my grandbabies will grow up......like my own babies did......I needed to hear that. Hugs, Dianne
My little grandson has been my "baby" since he was so tiny. He will be 10 in Sept. but is still very small and doesn't look but 6. He has always wanted to come to Grandma's as soon as my dtr and his daddy would get home with him. He is my 'step-grandson' but, let me tell you--that means NOTHING to me or him!! He is my baby. For his bday party, at age 3, he didn't want to go! It was just out at my dtr's and of course, I walked out with him. As soon as he swam a few minutes, opened his gifts and cut his cake, he got me by the hand and told everybody 'bye'. He was ready to go back to my house. He's been this way all his life. He is finally pulling away and playing more with others, and will actually now stay at home more. :-(
I dread him getting older.
He has an older brother, 12 now, and he heads to grandma's as soon as possible. He loves to come out here too. They just grow up to fast!!
Now, my dtr's twins are 18 and just graduated from high school this past spring. They started their freshman yr in college. Where does the time go??
You are so right, there are life's lessons in every situation. Thanks for this post.
Hugs, Joely
I do wish your grandson well. Deployment is an ugly word. Oh, how I know! Todd was on his second deployment...his last. peace...Kaaren
Peace Dave
My vision of heaven was sent to me by my husband through a song, about a month after he died. The song is called "Wish You Were Here". You can Google the lyrics on the web.
First time I had ever heard it, have not heard it again, and will be greatly surprised if I ever do.
I know my husband would like me with him as much as I want him hear. We must be patient. Great things are worth waiting for.
Blessings, Debbie
Your post makes me think of my youngest grandson who is 9 yrs old and named after me and was so special to his grama grama as he called Kallene.
He started going to our farm in Nothern, MN before he could even walk and his mother would call and ask him if he was ready to come home and he would say no and wanted to stay with grama grama.
Kallene's passing has been so very hard on him and he seems so withdrawn. Kallene would never have missed any of his football or baseball games and loved watching him wrestle. He is very gifted when it comes to sports. When he was 8 yrs old he placed 2nd in the Minnesota State Wrestling tournement.
Now this year he will not have Grama Grama setting in the stands and cheering him on. Between his matches, he would come and sit with his Grama and I in the stands.
He seems to have lost interest in his sports now that his Grama is gone and he told me that he dose not want to wrestle this year. I don't know what to tell him and when he comes over it's like he is looking for Kallene and it hurts like HELL.
But he is a wonderfull kid and we love him and our other grandchildren so much.
enough already.
Dan
I loved your post, and your words made me feel I was right there experiencing it with you. What a wonderful way to describe what you were seeing and feeling.
Peace to you,
fishermansgirl