Tuesday, December 23, 2008

In Honor of My Wonderful Mom...


My Mom, Virginia Mae Sass, died at 5:01 Sunday, December 21, 2008 of a massive heart attack. She would have been 61 on January 20th.

She had known since 2003 about her heart condition, and wished to keep it private. The recommended course of action was invasive surgery she did not want and felt with her diabetes she would either not survive or not heal properly from. Though Dad, Sarah and I often tried to convince her to see a doctor, she steadfastly chose to decline medical intervention. She wanted to live her life out naturally and privately, at home and without the trauma of invasive procedures, and that is what she did. It seems so clear now in retrospect that her health was waning and leading to this for some time. But words cannot express what a sad, sad Shock it was. She would have been 61 on January 20 of the new year.

Last night we said goodbye to Mom. Her wish was for there not to be a fuss following her death. She did not want a big, public funeral, and wished to be cremated, which will take place within the next few days. According to her exact wishes we had a private viewing with only her nuclear family in attendance. Dad, Sarah and Amentahru, me and Nat, and the kids went to Washburn McReavy funeral home in uptown Minneapolis at a little after 7 last night, once Sarah and Amentahru arrived from Illinois. Mom wore one of her favorite turquoise and navy plaid tops, with the mom bracelet I made her containing birthstone beads for Sarah and me and a love pendant. We stood around her and sat with her, kissed her cold forehead and grasped her cold arms, and stroked her hair that felt like normal, soft and wispy. In the background we played the lovely, ethereal, other-worldly Enya Paints the Sky with Diamonds, as she wished.

Mom loved Corrie Ten Boom. So I read a quote from her writings, 'A life is not measured by it's duration, but by it's donation.' And that fits Mom to a tee. She gave so much--what she lovingly and painstakingly created in yarn for loved ones and acquaintances alike, any overflow of resources she delighted in giving away, her love and time and joy and affection and teaching for the grandkids, so many hours into delicious comfort food meal preparation and celebrations....

Nat read from scripture about how God is the healer of the broken hearted and the crushed (Psalm 34:18), how the old order will pass away and in the new order God will wipe every tear and there will be no more sorrow or pain (Revelation 21:4), and how he went to prepare a place for us and he promised he will take us to that place (John 14:1-4).

The kids had listed special things they love about Grandma: she was really nice, she hates to have her picture taken, she was an awesome artist even though she doesn't admit it , she made us beautiful things, she likes to clean other people's houses, she loves to babysit her grandkids, she loves her family, she was the soup queen...

Sarah suggested we sing songs and the ones that came up were By the Light of the Silvery Moon (from when she played piano out of the Reader's Digest book), Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken (from the hymn book she played often), She'll be Coming Round the Mountain (one of the songs we would sing on our road trips), Blessed Be the Tie that Binds, It is Well With My Soul, and lastly, The Lord Is My Shepherd, the last line of which goes, 'Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me, and in God's house forever more my dwelling place shall be. '

Dad led us in prayer for Mom and those loved ones surviving her passing ahead of us into the promised land and we bought a balloon to release to symbolize the freedom of Mom's spirit and as Clara says to watch her fly up to heaven where God is.

Though it is so painful to have to say goodbye for now to Mom, I know now wholeness and healing and perfect love have come to her, and it is a comfort to know she is with God and all is well.

5 comments:

Diane O'Leary said...

Lisa, you wrote such a beautiful and moving tribute to your mom. She was such a blessing, as are all of you to my family. Mom was very sad to hear about this and sends her condolences and prayers. Take care.

Diane

Maria Stahl said...

I have a time in my daily prayers where I pray for comfort for those who are mourning lost loved ones. I am adding your family to that prayer. There is no one who can raise the dead other than the One, and I'm thankful He has enfolded your mother in His loving arms.

Nate said...

She was one of the kindest, gentlest souls I have met. Peace be with you all.

JoanneMChristian said...

Lisa, I was so suddenly stricken with sorrow when I learned recently that your Mom had died a while back. I guess I was not at services on the day it had been announced some time ago, already.
You could have no way of knowing how many times I've thought of Ginny and your whole family, and wondered how you all were doing...
and wished there was some way of getting ahold of some of you, to get re-connected again. I've missed Ginny very much - she was a precious friend and added such
sparkle and loveliness to the lives of anyone who was privileged to know her. I am SO sorry for your loss - all of you. Yet another heartfelt reason to long for the Kingdom - and it's final solution for death's separation of our loved one's from us. What beautiful reunions we'll all have then, right? My prayers will be for your comfort, healing and peace, finally. God Bless You All.
Joanne Chritian - Duluth

Unknown said...

Dear Jim,
What a wonderful tribute! I look forward to meeting your beloved Ginny in the Kingdom of God. She must have been an amzing person in this life and what comfort and joy in knowing that you will unite again and explore forever in the presence of God! Walking on streets of gold ought to be a trip!
Best wishes from Dallas, Texas. Your old friend's son, Paul Schnee