Four years ago . . .

Today I am back in Montana--in my memories. It seems like it was only yesterday, but it was actually four years ago today that my mom went home to be with the Lord.

While we were in Montana last week, I couldn't help but think back to the same time and place four years ago. We traveled there at the same time of year, across the same snowy mountain passes, and stayed in the same place--the home of our friends, Louis and Cary. This time they were gone and we were caretakers of their place and their animals--three horses, six sheep, two dogs (Golden Retrievers), one cat, and one bird.

Our trip of last week was for another funeral--the "home-going" of another mother. We buried our son-in-law Andy's mother just three days before the date we drove to Montana four years ago, for my own mother's death. Four years ago my daughter traveled with us from her home near us in Vancouver, Washington, to say her final goodbyes to her grandmother. This time we traveled to our daughter's home in Montana to join her in saying our final goodbyes to her "other mother". Four years ago our granddaughter Elliana went with us to pour out comfort upon my dad, her great grandfather. This time she was already there to pour out her comfort upon her grandfather, Andy's dad.

Both times were joyous family reunions, filled with tears of loss and grief, and hugs of comfort. The Bible tells us that when God's children are absent from the body, they are present with the Lord. What a blessing to know that these two dearly-loved mothers are "at home" with our Lord and Savior." We look forward to being reunited with them some day in Heaven.

"And, so shall we ever be with the Lord."