A Treasure in our Family has Gone

Floral Oil Painting by Jan Verhas,1896.

 

The first few months of this year have been very difficult for us. One of the reasons for this is the decline in health of my dear Aunt.   Some weeks ago, she passed into her eternal rest in Heaven.

Even though it has been so hard and emotionally painful to endure this, I have to remind myself that we live by faith and not by sight.  We know that she is with the Lord, happy, healed, and safe in Heaven.  We know we will see her again. This comforts us and sustains us to know that we will see our family again someday when our earthly journey is over.

My Aunt was an incredible example of what family is all about. When we children were growing up, she came alongside my parents and supported them and encouraged them. She helped them take care of us. She was often at our home and we were always at her house.  We were always welcome because she had a close bond with us.  She was not a distant relative but considered to be part of our immediate family. Not only did she help our parents bring us up, she also helped with the upbringing of all of her other nieces and nephews. She was like a matriarch in our family. 

In later years, she was there for all of us to help with our own children. She helped guide, support, and encourage us as we began raising her great-nieces and great-nephews. All the children loved and adored her.  Her home was a beautiful place of humble elegance and grace. She was a great example of good manners, dignity, and living a beautiful life. To this day I still remember many of her wise sayings, (which were always said with a thick Boston accent). She was a strong and enduring influence in all of our lives for goodness and right living.  She was exactly what an Aunt should be.

We are preparing to attend her funeral service, which will happen in a couple of weeks.  We will travel to our home state of Massachusetts and stay at a hotel for a few days. We will spend time with the family to comfort and be there for each other.  We are working hard to save up for this trip. We want to be there for this important duty to stand by her and ensure she is carefully laid to her final rest. We will stand there with reverence and a great sense of respect.  We will do it with love and with grateful hearts.

While we are there, to keep us cheerful and encouraged,  I will be taking pictures of the ocean, the scenery, and the city of Boston as we drive through the busy streets.  I also hope to get some pictures of the beautiful, old, historic cemetery where some of my family is buried, as we all wait for resurrection morning.  We have a hope and a promise. There are mansions waiting for us in Heaven.  Remembering this brings great comfort.

 

The greatest need we have in our day is to have a strong focus on our family. It is the most important thing in life - to keep building up the home.

Blessings

Mrs. White

 

From the Archives -

Encouragement from the old days - Drastically Reducing the Grocery Budget.

Please be one of these -   The Mother Who Isn't Busy.

Daily life with 4 generations in the house - In Pursuit of Christian Duty.

 

 
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"Serving in the Kitchen: Cookbook with Recipes, Advice, and Encouragement for the Christian Home"

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