As written and spoken aloud by my sister at our grandmother’s funeral service
There is a time for everything under the sun; a time to be born and a time to die.
Did you have time Grandma for everything from birth to 92? The many seasons for the activities under heaven that God has allowed us to do?
There was a time to plant and a time to uproot. The children you brought into this world, the children they brought into this world, the children they brought into this world – grandchildren galore – your love for family, your love for your God, to all you adored.
There was a time to tear down and a time to build – a lifetime of ranching, of work and toil. The brandings, the babies, so many dishes to do, Grandpa’s meals always prepared promptly at noon. The lanundry, the yard work, do think the fish will bite tonight?
The fresh cow’s milked daily as you separated the cream. Was there ever a Vic without a Verlie – were you living your dream?
There was a time to weep and a time to laugh. The times were few when I would see you shed a tear, but oh! How you loved a great belly laugh year after year. The kind of laughter that cleanses your soul and washes your eyes, the kind of laughter that ends with a huge sigh.
There was a time to mourn and a time to dance – Oh how you cherished those Saturday nights. Let’s meet at the neighbors, let’s kick up our heels. Let’s dance into the night or maybe … even ’til the morning light.
There was a time to search. As you looked directly at me with those fading, bright eyes and said, “I don’t know what to do, I just don’t know what to do.” Though you were fading away outwardly, inwardly you were being renewed DAILY. Now that’s a promise to hold on to.
There is a time to embrace. God has made everything beautiful in His time. He has set eternity in your heart. You pressed on, pressed on toward the goal with grace. No, there is no sting of death here, for you never once had fear. But just for a little while Grandma, is it okay to shed a tear?
There is a time to be silent and a time to speak as you gently placed your worn hand on your daughter’s cheek.
It is time for you to leave us now, not one more breath your earthly tent can afford. Go quickly, go quickly Grandma, into the arms of our Lord, for great is your reward.