They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies.
One year ago today I experienced the most significant heartbreak of my life. My grandma fought a great fight to cancer for 2 year but on May 20th, the Lord couldn’t bear to see her in pain any longer so He brought his sweet daughter, Roberta Pauline Christensen home.
Cancer has the ability to kill but when my grandma was diagnosed she didn’t lose hope. Instead she pressed into the Lord and chose to be thankful. She took ahold of each moment and lived her life to the fullest.
My grandma’s appearance changed a lot during her diagnosis. She lost a lot of weight and looked very frail. She didn’t want us grandchildren to remember her like that. But when I look at her during that time I don’t see someone sick or weak. I see her stronger than ever. I see someone whose passion for life is breathtaking.
My grandma loved unlike anyone I have ever known. She was a living testimony of what a woman of God should look like. She always put others above herself. Her love for her husband of 50 years, my grandfather, James Christensen was the most beautiful love I have ever seen.
My grandma taught me many things. She showed me the value of family. She edified me to love wholeheartedly. She lived her life by example. She illuminated the importance of forgiveness and the power of gratitude. She inspired me to live each moment to the fullest. She made me want to be something better and live beyond myself.
God knew how special she was better than anyone. Although he was jealous for her and wanted her to come home he knew how hard it would be on my family. He gave my family two years to say goodbye and soak up each moment we had with her. Saying goodbye was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. But God created the space for her husband, her sister and brother, her three beautiful daughters, her grandchildren, her great grandson and even her cat Tazz to gather around her. He patiently waited as we all shared our favorite memories of her and said our goodbyes. Shortly after the clock struck 3:00 am my grandma returned home. Her face was painted with peace. She was so beautiful.
There is not a day that goes by where I don’t think about her or miss her. My family will never be the same, and I thank God for that because her love showed just how wonderful He is. She made such an impact on each and every heart that knew her that it would be impossible to not be changed by her incredible love. God has given me peace that no matter how much time passes and although she isn’t physically here with me, she is with me wherever I go. Her love runs through my veins. Love and time do not coexist.
