Dear Mama,

I’m writing you this letter, although I know you’ll never read it because, well, you now reside in heaven. It’s been six years since you went home. I miss you every day. I think of you when I see the kids and grandkids and Oh, how I wish, you could have been around a little longer, to enjoy them. I understand though and it’s ok, because one day I’ll be seeing you again.

I know you can’t be with us now, but I just needed to talk to you. In the past six years there have been so many changes in our family and in our world. I often think, what would mama do if she were here? I know one thing for sure, you’d be praying. I want to let you know that I’m on the prayer team at our Church, you’d be so proud. God has done some amazing things in my life. You know how you told me that my latter days would be greater than my former days? You were right about that. God has blessed me more than I can tell. I don’t move from one place to another anymore, that’s progress. Bob has been the best thing that ever happened to me. He’s kind and patient and tells me he loves me just the way I am. I know you prayed long and hard about that. God heard your prayers. I can still hear your voice as you knelt by your bed and cried out for your family to be saved and to live for God. That’s still a work in progress but they do love the Lord.

Mom, tomorrow will be the anniversary of your going home. It still hurts…but only because I miss you so very much! I miss our talks about the Lord and praying together. I miss thrift store shopping and watching our favorite shows on TV. I miss singing together and watching you embroider. I miss hearing you preach on Sunday’s and I miss your pot roast. I’m grateful that you don’t have to suffer with cancer anymore and I wouldn’t bring you back even if I could. Because I know you’re no longer sick. You’re signing and dancing with the angels. You’re hanging out with Jesus and your mama and with brothers and sister. You probably have them all learning a brand-new song by now. I know you loved to swim, I bet the rivers in heaven are fantastic. Is it true the streets are made of pure gold? Are there mansions and little cabins by a flowing brook? Do you have a rose garden? Does everyone have a specific job they do? I know you can’t answer me, but I’d like to think that somehow, you know how very much I love you and miss you. We all do. Maybe that would be too sad for you to know…so I’ll just close with this.

Mama, thank you for being my mother. Thank you for loving us so much. Thank you for the life you gave and served and for telling us about Jesus and his love.

I’m getting older and I’m starting to feel it a bit. When you’re young you don’t think about growing old. I guess that’s a good thing. Growing older is not for whips that’s for sure. You’d always say, “I’m not old, I’ve just been here a long time. I understand a whole lot better now, why you did some things you did. I have a lot more compassion for the elderly too. I appreciate little babies and adore their innocence. I want to tell the youth not to abuse their bodies and to use wisdom in the decisions they make. Life choices follow you all the days of your life. The good news though, is, that when we mess up, we can be forgiven. We don’t have to stay a mess. God’s grace truly is sufficient. Jesus has redeemed us.

Enough said. I want you to know that your prayers are still being answered. I love you mom, I always will. I know you love me too. You love all your children. (inside joke).

Not good-bye, just, see ya later alligator!

Love, your daughter,

Marla

July 15, 2021