I bet hers likes it in heaven!

 I got the news today at school that no one wants to hear.  Even if you know it's coming. 

"Granny is gone."

I cried.  I had 17 Kindergarten children looking at me wondering what was wrong.  I explained to them that my Granny had just died and that I was sad. 

A sweet, little, round face grinned at me and said,

"Well, I bet hers likes it in heaven!" 

My beautiful Granny Mc is leaving behind a bounty of her fruits.  She was the mother to eight children. Eight!  I don't know how she did it.  My Daddy, Jimmy, is the second oldest of the gang of six boys and two girls.  Bobby. Jimmy. Gary. Donna. Beth. Phillip. And the twins, Jerry and Terry.  I imagine she barked that list of names out thousands of times.

This whole slew of kids multipled the family further by adding 18 children by birth and others by integrating them from marriages. Granny Mc's house is a very modest 3 bedroom house with a small living room area.  Our Christmas and Easter family meals weren't typical.  Meals were never eaten gathered around a table.  They were dipped buffet style from the bar and then plates were carried anywhere you could find an empty piece of floor to sit on. 

These are the first born 11 cousins at Nanny's house.  The group just got bigger and bigger.

 

And then after the meal, there was ALWAYS the bible stories.  I have never, even once, had a Christmas in 35 years without hearing the Christmas story from the Bible at Nanny Mc's house.  It is always the most important aspect of Christmas to my family.

My Nanny has always been a spiritual leader, of sorts, to our family.  Not that she ever stood in the pulpit, but she led by example.  We all learned from her example.  From her actions.  From her wisdom.  I have never known anyone more prepared to enter heaven than her.  She was at peace.  She was content.  She lived 87 years sowing seeds.  She did her part.  And now, she is basking in God's glory. I am positive that she is beautiful.  That her arthritis doesn't hurt anymore.  Probably even dancing.  I am certain that her smile is brighter than ever. 

I know hers likes it in heaven.

The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.  And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

                ---James 3:17-18