Going Home

Dorothy Hazel Kemp

August 18, 1924-March 20, 2014

She was a daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, mother-in-law, but to me her most special name was "grandmother". What a wonderful grandmother she was....overflowing with joy, a giver, a servant's heart, patient always, a lover of her Savior and her family. 

What a special gift from God is a grandmother. She was 89 years old when she died. We were blessed to have her in our lives for such a long time....although today, it seems like her time with us was much too short.

I had the chance to spend a lot if time with my grandmother her last week with us. She was at the hospital, and Brian held down the fort at home while I spent some precious time with her.  I sat with her, reminisced with othe family members, cried, sang her favorite hymns, held her hand, brushed her hair,  and laughed at the fun memories we would recall.  Even though she didn't speak, at times she would open her eyes or smile. She knew she was cherished.

On Thursday, March 20th, the last family member arrived to see her. Every family member was able to come and see her in the hospital, visit with her, remind her, "I Love You".

On Thursday afternoon, March 20, while I was at the hospital, Brian called me with the exciting news of Travel Approval. I was able to tell my grandmother that her namesake would be coming home very soon!

Thursday evening, March 20th, my precious grandmother met her Savior face to face. It was time for her to go Home.

With a heavy heart, weary, and grief stricken, I read this on Saturday evening after all the services were over:

"Why can't we be allowed days indefinitely? How can God ever expect us to say good-bye to the eyes, ears, hands of those we cherish more than our own?
     Is it because His heart awaits us at Home? Because if we don't say goodbye here, when will we meet Him there?
      Precious in His eyes is the Homecoming of the saints. Psalm 116:15"
from  One Thousand Gifts. by Ann Vosskamp

And a saint she was. What a comforting and exciting reminder that God is rejoicing at her coming Home. Her God given ministry on earth did not end March 20, but continues on in each of her children, her grandchildren, and all those that she touch in her life. We carry on her legacy.