In a lot of ways, we lost her years ago.. Now that it’s all over-I keep having flashbacks.. Little things.. Like her writing down whatever it was that she wanted to remember and making sure she had the facts straight.. That ancient tape recorder that she had us sing all our program songs in to and whatever other new songs we were singing at the time.. Her endless supply from the freezer- Klondike bars, cookies, and meals ( We always laughed at how she would bake the turkey for Christmas several weeks ahead of time).. She loved to feed people.. The train that would run past her house and whistle- my earliest memories include her running up the hill with us to see it.. Numerous nights spent at her house-sleeping on the livingroom floor and the lights from traffic going past shining in on the wall.. ( And when we’d get too rowdy- she’d come out and jump our case. Because she always removed her dentures during the night- we thought it was hilarious.. Little brats) Her busy hands- crocheting countless items- dolls, dishcloths, blankets; look alike dresses for my sisters and I.. And coverings- Mother and I each still have a stash and it’s been years since she quit making them.. She and Granddaddy reminiscing about the past- he picking on her about cheating off of her brother so she could pass 5th grade, her smiling as she remembered all her boyfriends from EMC days.. What a world ago..

My dear Grandmother, Mary Louise Horst went home to her reward last Saturday.. She’d been in a nursing home for years.. Totally confused most of the time. She’d been close to departure for awhile. Wednesday, Father and Deborah left for the Southland on tour with the Shenandoah Valley Chorus, and everyone assured him she was somewhat stable. Thursday morn, she took a turn, so Emily and Mother ran up the road to be with her.. Their time was special- she had times when she’d focus and at one point was able to carry on somewhat of a conversation over the phone with Father..  She continued to linger.. Saturday I had a trip to New Oxford, Pa, and there was room in the van, so Mother again rode along.. I dropped her off and my vanload graciously allowed me to run in, kiss her forehead and whisper ” Good-bye”.. And an hour later- with her 3 daughters, and Mother representing our family- she slipped into eternity..

My good-bye to her seemed appropriate.. I wonder how many times, I stopped by her place over the years.. Because of where they lived right along 81, we would stop, breeze in for a few moments and hit the road, with a hug and an “I love you”… Grandmother loved unconditionally…

But what challenges me the most from Grandmother’s life was something we discovered after we divided up her belongs when she moved from her home.. Notebook after notebook of prayers.. It does something to you to see your name on a page all by its self with different prayers.. different dates.. Each family member had it’s own page.. A true prayer warrior..

She was not well to do- but she was always giving.. She was not an incredible intellect- yet she and studied and read.. She was a busy lady- but always had time to play a game with the grandchildren or read and read and read.. She was not perfect, yet she had a heart full of gold.. She didn’t give years of service on the foreign field, or start any huge ministries- yet she gave her life in service- to whatever was in front of her.. Gave her life in service to others.. A tremendous ministry of encouragement..

Good-bye, Dear Grandmother.. Your life challenges me in so many ways.. My prayer is that when I come to the end of life’s journey- that someone will be able to look at me- as I am at you- and see that I’ve lived my life-loving, giving and serving.. I love you

Bonus pic:

In  the midst of everything, we’ve been putting up a grain bin.. County Line Construction did the concrete work for us..

Then this past week 2 crews from PA rolled in and put up the bin.. Their boss is a 26 year old man who was paralyzed in a water slide injury last year.. Super nice guys who are trying to run a business for this guy and make a living themselves.. We were once again on kitchen duty.. To the virtuous women who sent food this week- you have no idea how much it helped out.. Really not sure what we would have done.. Bless you exceedingly!