Oh, Love That Will Not Let Me Go: In Memory

Today we are going home for a very special event.

We are spreading the ashes of my beloved grandparents Bill & Holly. 

On their 50th Wedding Anniversary in 1997

My Grandpa Bill died in 2007, and Grandma Holly in 2011, but sometimes the wounds still feel fresh. 

My Grandpa and I were very, very close -- I was his "Jayma" and he was my best friend growing up.

My Grandma was a sassy firecracker, who responded to her name with "yowza!" and when asked what she wanted prayer for on her 90th birthday..she asked for prayer for the Giants.

It's been years since the family has been together to complete their wishes and spread their ashes over a bed of roses, so tomorrow we will all be together to do so.

 I know it will finally close a page in life that has seem empty and still open over the past few years since Grandpa passed. 

The best part?

I know I will see them again.

I know they are rejoicing with their Lord as I write these words.

I know there is no more pain for either of them, and I know their legacy lives on in all of the people's lives that they touched. This past year I got an email from someone who worked in their assisted living home telling me how much she loved my Grandparents, it was such a special message.

This past year I found out about my Grandpa's family in New York, I even found out his nephew was named after him. 

I wish I could give them both a big hug, I wish they could have seen me walk down the aisle, I wish..I wish..I wish..

But knowing that something is true is always better than wishing and dreaming. So, with a heavy heart I think about and miss my grandparents every day, but with a glad one I see them shadowed in the light of Jesus.

 5 years ago God gave me a miracle, and let me speak at Grandpa's funeral and tomorrow I will share this beautiful hymn for the both of them. 

O Love that wilt not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe,

That in thine ocean depths its flow

May richer, fuller be.

O light that followest all my way,

I yield my flickering torch to thee;

My heart restores its borrowed ray,

That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day

May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow through the rain,

And feel the promise is not vain,

That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,

I dare not ask to fly from thee;

I lay in dust life’s glory dead,

And from the ground there blossoms red

Life that shall endless be.

In loving memory

Wilbur L Skaates 3.15.1921 --7.2.2007

Dora A Skaates 10.29.1920 -- 5.18.2011