Celebrating a faithful life...

Yesterday, Ryan's sweet "Granny", Fanora Miller, passed away. I had the pleasure of meeting her several months ago, and getting to spend some more time with her about a month ago while we were in Houston.

This is what I could already tell about her:
She LOVES her family. Her face LIT up anytime she started talking about her 3 children, or any of her grandchildren. We brought her a framed picture of Ryan and Austin (Ryan's brother), and she teared up and held it close to her heart. She told us she needs NO material posessions but things like that picture- memories of her family. She said if that was all she had in the world, she would be content.

Another thing I could tell about Granny-
She is a very STRONG person in so many ways. She told us stories about her family, her husband, and how hard they worked. Another way I could tell this was that, in her lifetime, she lost her husband, her son (Ryan's father), and her daughter-in-law, Ryan's mother,  yet still rejoiced in what she DID have. Her faith was strong and her will to live never lessened....she was content regardless of the circumstances, and when we saw her- although she may not have felt well, all she cared about was how we were doing.

What a BEAUTIFUL homecoming it must have been yesterday as she entered Heaven and was able to embrace her husband, Ryan's parents, and many other family members! Ryan told me with tears in his eyes last night that he was jealous of that aspect for sure, but SO happy Granny was re-united with them! We have no doubt when she came face to face with the Lord she heard, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

I can't begin to tell you how thankful I am for this family- my family now! Austin and Jami, and their sweet children are truly gifts from God for me, and Ryan as well. I know it's hard that so many in their family have passed away, but we have them and have never felt so blessed for each and every one of them! What a neat gift that those 3 children were able to meet and spend time with their Great Grandmother!

Last night Ryan and I sat down and made a list of every memory, fun time, quality, etc. that he remembers about his Mom, dad, Granny, and Papaw. It was fun as we listed these things so that we can one day tell our children about the amazing legacy Ryan's family has left.

I want to close with one story that Ryan said sums up perfectly how his Granny and Papaw were:
When Ryan's dad was 15, he and his brother and sister would come home from school for lunch every day. Granny would prepare amazing meals from what I've been told, and was constantly cooking! One day, she made lunch for her 3 children and her husband (Ronald),  but because Ryan's dad and uncle were teenage boys, they ate a LOT of food! Well, by the time Ronald got home, all the food was GONE! She was sitting at the table crying and apologizing that there was nothing left. Ronald reached in his pocket, handed her a $100 bill (which was HUGE in those days) and said "Go buy bigger pots."

I just loved this story- Ryan said it describes perfectly how Ronald (Papaw) was always rather serious, but a very hard worker, and had more of a dry sense of humor. Fanora (Granny) was the emotional one, but would definitely have her honory moments Ryan recalls!

Praise God we have memories to pass on when those we love go home!