We've been blessed...

James Cowan Edgett

1919-2008

Mom...and her Dad

We got a call this morning early...our grandpa has gone to live with the God he served all his life. "Home" was never really here, just a place he spent years cultivating family and friendships...and leaving a legacy for us all. We said our goodbyes while he could still hear us, just a few months ago....we shed our tears, knowing it would be the last time we'd hug him on earth. Today's tears are for ourselves, for our mom, her sisters, and our grandma...for our children who have not known him long enough.

Grandpa was one of the strongest men I know...he towered over my 5'2" frame and gave the hardest bear hugs EVER! His physical strength came from hard work...but his strength of character came from the way he lived his life and the God he lived to serve.

Grandpa proudly fought in World War II, leaving a young wife and family at home who did not hear from him for months at a time...he stood and watched as the famous flag was erected in Iwo Jima in 1945. And returned home with a gun shot wound and a Purple Heart...and for the rest of his life became a hero to his family. Those years in the army both toughened him for life's battles and softened him to care about the hearts of people.

As a young girl...even in the awkward adolescent years- when EVERYONE embarrasses and bothers you...I don't ever remember rolling my eyes (which I did OFTEN!) over a visit to my grandparents or about being engulfed in one of Grandpa's firm hugs. He was just the kind of guy you always loved to be around!

When I became a mom of little boys, grandpa was one of those men I just wanted them to spend time with. He was a man's man...strong in words and character..the kind of man every mom would want her sons to grow to become.

I used to look at my grandparents and want what they have...years and years of marriage with their best friend. After over 65 years of marriage they still held hands and gushed all over each other! Even after I've gone through an unwanted divorce myself, I still hope that one day I will be blessed to know love the way they did...because I saw it is possible.

A strong anchor of our family has been lost today...but because his life taught us well, none of us are under the delusion that we have seen the last of this great man. We do not pray that he rests in peace...for he's already in peace. We know that for him, to be absent in the body is to be present with the LORD... that is where he lives in peace today. When last I saw him, he was being wheeled away in a wheelchair....when next I see him, he'll be dancing with his Saviour, asking what took me so long to join him! Just this morning generations upon generations of saints have sang his welcome into the place he lived for...and the ONE who bore the sins of all, stood open-armed to receive a life well lived...and proclaimed for all to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant...welcome".

Gram...my heart aches for you today...while he is bowing at the feet of his King - you are missing the man who's stood strongly by your side for many years. May you know peace of heart and body this day...and the rest. Draw strength from the One who clasps the hand of Grandpa all the while holding tightly to yours....a circled posture you've grown familiar with over many years. I love you! Ter