Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."
"Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
~Revelaton 14:13~
Yes, Bob. Not sure how it evolved from Barbara, but everyone had always called her Bob for as long as I can remember. But that was just the sort of person she was, funny, spunky, full of life and love. She never ran out of love to give. She overflowed with it. Everything she did, she did with others in mind before herself. She was the most selfless person I knew.
When I was a kid growing up, and my own mother was ill and unable to care for me and my brothers, Bob was always there to make sure we had clean clothes to wear, food to eat and plenty of love in our hearts. Every summer I’d go to her place and spend weeks just hanging out, going swimming at the pool which was just down the street and only cost us a quarter to get in! I remember taking swimming lessons one summer and she would come with me and watch me. This one time I jumped off the diving board for the first time and my instructor was busy focusing on other students that she didn’t notice I was struggling to get to the side of the pool… I saw my grandmother stand up as if she were getting ready to jump in after me in case I started to drown. I’ll never forget that.
The best and in some ways the majority of my fondest memories of my childhood were those times I spent summers and christmas breaks at her place. Just being in her presence I felt safe and loved, and well, genuinely happy…which says a lot since I was a pretty sad and lonely child most of the time. She'd cook all of us popcorn old school style in a skillet, and stay up late with us to watch Arsenio Hall. (She usually fell asleep on the couch haha)
This one time I remember being dropped off at her house when I was a kid, around the time my parents got divorced. She found me crying in a room all by myself, came over to me asking me what was wrong and when I wouldn’t say anything, she just held me for the longest time. And then offered to get me a bowl of ice cream, lol… I’ll never forget that.
She was the most compassionate and kindest person I’ve ever known… Sometimes too kind to the point that it actually irritated me because I knew people would take advantage of her. If anyone had a heart like Jesus, it was her.
When I was around 5 she gave me a dough rolling pin and told me, “now, I’m gonna save this rolling pin for you for when you get married……………………….………….so you can beat your husband over the head with if he’s ever mean to you.” =) I still have that rolling pin.
My list of memories could go on and on, but probably the sweetest one I have is when I was living with her and going to college. I was taking a break from studying and went into the den area to visit with her and she told me she wasn't sure if God would allow her into heaven… The conversation I then had with her ultimately lead to her praying with me to receive Jesus as her Savior. (Though personally I believe she was already saved and God had already accepted her, but this was more for her own peace of mind I think.)
I know without a doubt I’m going to see her again, and it’s going to be the best reunion of my life. Until then, this world will never be the same without her.
