hoping to find wisdom in the upcoming weeks!

A great lady who has provided plenty of wisdom to me is getting ready to move on and re-join her husband and other loved ones. I am concerned because as much as I love and admire Bernice, my heart is breaking more for my husband (her grandson) and all of the others who loved her even longer than I.

When I first met Bernice she had been married for over 50 years!  Imagine that...Mike and I are coming up on 23 years this August.  Over the years her wit and wisdom have been a crucial part of the woman I grew up to be (I was 19 when I married her grandson, so she has been part of my life for more than half of my life!).

The stories I have heard of her keen wit (hanging used teabags up to dry and convincing my beloved father-in-law that this was a common cost-saving measure), blend with my own stories of her.  I like to tell newlyweds and soon-to-be weds, that she gave me the best advice I never followed.  Bernice told me not to complain about my spouse to my parents, because while I may eventually forgive him his flaws and faults, my parents would  never be able to do the same.

We lost George too many years ago...spring of 1992, but along with Mick and Jan, George and Bernice gave me my first true understanding of family values. 

In some ways, it seems silly to grieve for Bernice.  She has lived over 94 years, seen her children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren born and some have grown up.  Her oldest great-grandson graduated from Luther College with honors this spring (cum laude! - and I honestly believe Bernice would understand the mother's urge to brag even under the current circumstances).  Bernice has lived a long, full life and from what I have seen she has embraced it fully and is now ready to move on to the next stage.  But, oh, my what we will lose...what my children will lose, by not knowing her in her prime

Even if I  had never known George and Bernice, I would have known what wonderful people they were by their children (Jeanette & David) and their grandchildren (Michael, Jennifer and Kathleen).   The evidence of their influence has permeated my life through my husband and in-laws.

And so, I pray for the strength and wisdom (which I generally am sorely lacking in!), to help comfort those in need over the next weeks and months.  How difficult it is to lose a matriarch, even, no, especially one who has been failing over the last few years. 

God Bless you Bernice!  May your the end of your journey be an easy one!

Theresa Comer
"The mind is like a parachute, it works best when open"

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