My Grandma Joan died early on Tuesday morning, April 29. She had recently started receiving hospice care; but, we had no idea that she was going to pass away so quickly. After dinner on Monday, I asked Dave if we could all go see her. I had a procedure done last Friday and couldn't drive on my own. Even though Dave has been doing the work of two parents since last Friday, I am so thankful that he immediately agreed.
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| Isaac holding Grandma's hand on Monday evening |
Isaac was a little hesitant to go near Grandma at first; but, once he saw that I sat next to her and held her hand, he went right to the other side of the bed and found her other hand under the covers. My parents came, also, and we all sang "Jesus Loves Me" to Grandma. Emma kept pointing at Grandma and saying "Doan, Doan" (Joan). After awhile, Dave took the kids to a nearby park so that I could spend a little longer with my grandma. I read to her from her Bible and sang hymns to her until we needed to leave to put our kids to bed. Even though my grandma was unresponsive at this point, I am so thankful that we had this evening with her. Early on Tuesday morning, we found out that she had passed away.
Because my grandma was a believer, I have every confidence that I will see her again in heaven. For her sake, I am so glad that her body and mind are whole and complete. Even on Easter Sunday, she asked when Jesus would allow her to go to heaven. She was so ready. I wouldn't change anything about where she is, because clearly this was her time to finally be made new in heaven.
But, my heart is still heavy as I think that I will never again take my children to the nursing home to visit her again.
But, my heart is still heavy as I think that I will never again take my children to the nursing home to visit her again.
I am so thankful that I had so many years and memories with my grandma. It was especially a blessing that my Grandma Joan was able to know both Isaac and Emma. Her eyes always lit up when she saw them. I'm also thankful that she was able to live so close to us! We were able to visit her often.
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| Grandma meeting Isaac David ~ November 1, 2009 |
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| Grandma meeting Emma Victoria ~ March 2012 |
I love you, Grandma!
I'll always remember eating Frosty's at Wendy's with you…your Swedish pancakes…how happy you were every time I brought Isaac and Emma to visit you…sitting on the bar stools at your counter…adding ingredients into your bread machine…how you put pink foam rollers in my hair every time I spent the night at your house…how you gave me 35 cents in my lunch to buy chocolate milk at school whenever I spent the night on a school night…how you sang "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, There's Just Something About That Name" when you tucked Emily and me in at night. I am blessed to be your granddaughter.
"Blessed are they that mourn, for they will be comforted."
Matthew 5:4
Dear Bethany and family, We were sad to hear about Joan today, though know with every confidence that she is with the Lord. Joan was one of the most beautiful women I've ever known, inside and out. Adria and I just talked about her a week ago, and Rick mentioned her name recently when telling someone how God had answered one of Joan's faithful prayers for us. My girls always called her Grandma Joan. When we moved to Minnesota 26 years ago, Ken and Joan took us under their wing and were especially loving to our little girls. We were often invited to come swim at Lake Success in the summers, and Joan would sometimes keep the girls overnight. The girls loved her...(and her Swedish pancakes also!) Because we didn't live close to our family, your grandparents became that to us. And, as part of our church, they blessed so many! They hosted our church baptisms at the lake in the summer and we enjoyed such sweet fellowship. Rick and I felt bad that we had lost touch with Ken and Joan after they moved to Texas, but we know we will see them again. Our sympathy to your family. You were blessed. Rick and Lana Ensrud
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