My Tribute

After a quick (but tiring) trip to Oklahoma, I'm now home and rested. It was good seeing my family despite the cirumstances. This is what I said at Grandma Blewett's funeral:

Mildred Blewett
Loss of a Loved One

I haven’t had to attend many funerals in my life. In fact, I can only think of two that I’ve been to that were family members. It’s not easy to go to any kind of funeral because we know people are facing a loss. Being sorrowful isn’t wrong, but I know Grandma wouldn’t approve of it. In fact, I can remember her telling one of us to “cut it out” while tears were shed at Grandpa’s funeral 6 ½ years ago. She would want us to be happy because she led a very positive and Christian life. She would want us to be happy because she’s at peace now.

For comfort, we can look at the many memories that we all have of her. Philippians 1:3 reminds us of the value of memories. I could share many of them. When I was a student at Oklahoma Christian, I took many weekend trips to visit my grandparents. They were always waiting and excited that I’d come to visit. And I’ve been told that Grandma enjoyed doing my laundry. Being a military child with my family living far away, this home was a home away from home. I also remember how generous Grandma was. Whenever I’d visit, I’d leave with more stuff than I arrived with. Usually it was a box full of groceries and a calculator or two that Grandpa wouldn’t use. When I told her she didn’t need to go to all this trouble, she’d simply say “One day you’ll do the same for your grandchildren.” Grandma helped me survive through my college years.

I know this was not the extent of her generosity. I had the opportunity to read some old letters that my parents had written when my family lived in Germany the first time. Several of the letters were thank you notes that thanked them for coats, dresses, toys, or money that they sent. And when birthdays arrived, I always got a card addressed to “Master Paul Kelsey.” I can’t but help think of the passage in 2nd Corinthians that tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. Grandma was a cheerful giver and I’m sure that she touched you with her generosity as well.

I can remember how much she loved to spend time with her family. When I came to visit, I loved the games of Skip-Bo, Scrabble, or Solitaire we played while the Cameron University radio station played in the background. I remember reading the paper after church on Sundays with her, Grandpa, and Aunt Cretie. I remember the strolls around the neighborhood or Lawton mall and the conversations we had. I remember the trips to Burger King where I’d finally get to pay for meal for my grandparents.

I remember the great marriage that Grandma was a part of. As you know, Grandma and Grandpa were married over 50 years. That is indeed an accomplishment. I never doubted that Grandma and Grandpa loved each other dearly. 1 Corinthians 13 is the great chapter on love. Love is patient, love is kind, it does not parade itself. Grandma exemplified these in her marriage. We can reflect upon her marriage and follow her example.

I remember that Grandma never had an ill word to say. A passage in the book of 1st Peter tells us that Christ had no deceit or reviling found in his mouth, even when he suffered on the cross for us. Grandma knew how to say kind words. She always had the best compliments. She always held her family in highest esteem. To her, they were the best and there was no debating the subject. I remember the time that she held my daughter, her great-granddaughter for the first time. I asked “Grandma, do you like her?” She said “Do I like her? No, I love her.” And I remember the first time I introduced Kim to her. I said Grandma, what do you think? She promptly said “She’s a keeper.”

What is even better is that memories of Grandma’s faithful Christian life easily come to my mind. She read her Bible often, was an active member of the Church of Christ, attended Bible class regularly and worship regularly, and fellowshipped with many brothers and sisters at Northwest Church of Christ in Lawton, OK. Since she was a faithful member of the Church, we can grieve, but not for one who had no hope in Christ. Listen to 1 These 4:14-18:

“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout and with a voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words.”

There is hope that one day we can be reunited with her in heaven.

Yes, there are many memories that comfort us at this time. Are there other sources of comfort that we can look to? Yes. We have the comfort we have with our family. It brings the best out in us. Grandma always did a good job of making you feel better if you weren’t feeling your best. I know we can do the same for each other. We share a wonderful relationship in that we all loved her so much, will miss her dearly, and all agree she was such a special person in our lives. 2 Cor 1:3-4 says:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies, and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which ourselves are comforted by God.”

God works his comfort through his people

We have comfort through prayer too. As some of you know, I teach third grade. As I explained what was happening to my third graders Friday morning that my grandmother was very sick, I could see a look of concern on many of their faces. When it was time to go home, one little girl said “Mr. Kelsey, I’ll be praying for you and your Grandmother.” Prayer comforts, prayer heals, and prayer works.

Yes, I know we have a hole in our hearts and a lump in our throats right now. We have lost a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, and friend. But, we shouldn’t shed a tear. Grandma’s life was a complete one. Grandma, we already miss you, but know that even though your earthly life has concluded, your eternal life has just begun.