See Ya' Later

Unlike attending a funeral before these times, within the last two months, I traveled to two funerals via cyberspace -- Facebook Live. While it’s not the same as being there in person to support and encourage those whose loved one passed on, it is a blessing to be in this technology age that affords us the opportunity to watch from the comfort of our homes.

Such was the case on Tuesday, when I, from my home in Frisco, TX and my dear 97-year-old mother-in-law in Tulsa, OK, could go all the way to Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada via Facebook Live for the funeral/memorial service of mom’s 92-year-old sister. We watched it all as my cousins and mom's nieces and nephews sang and gave beautiful remarks about their mom and grandmother. The theme throughout was Alma's love for her Lord, her knowledge of God's Word, always quoting scriptures, singing about Him with her sisters, leading her children to Him, her hospality, the best baker of sweets -- oh, those tarts -- and loving her family with all her heart. What a legacy!

Auntie Alma’s health drastically declined over the last few months. Mom, the older sister at 97, would daily call her to check in and to encourage her until she was hospitalized. Mom told me she’d say to Alma: “I’m calling to make you laugh again!” And, every time, Alma’s spirit was lifted. One such time, Mom said: “Alma, do you remember when playing Hide and Go Seek, we were all found but we couldn’t find you? We looked and looked but you were nowhere to be found. We were so worried we ran in and told Dad. He came out with his lantern, went straight to his Model T in the garage and found you on the floor board, sound asleep.” The last time mom was able to talk to Alma she told mom, “I’m just too tired to talk today.” Then, Mom starting praying that the Lord would take her home. He did.

My cousin let me know about Auntie Alma's passing on and I let Karen, my sis-in-law know. She found the best time to tell mom. When she told her, mom raised her hands to heaven and shouted: “Hallelujah!” I called then to check on her and she was in a rejoicing-state-of-mind! “I didn't shed a tear and have no sorrow. She’s where I want to be. I remember when we talked about our ten siblings already in heaven and only two seats remained at the table for Alma and me. We wondered which one of us would take the next seat. Now, there’s just one seat left and I’ll soon take it and close the door behind me.”

I love mom’s spirit. She is the last of the 12 siblings on this side of heaven. She is still so on purpose with her life. Only God knows how much longer she’ll be here, but I love her attitude. No grief. No mourning. She just keeps saying “See ya’ later” to those that go before her.

From my own firsthand experience, I know about "passing on" of my husband, parents, and all my siblings. Notice I say “Pass on – not pass away”. “Away” sounds like over and done with, but “on” is like going ON home, going ON a vacation, carrying ON. So, like Mom said “See ya’ later” to Alma – that’s the eternal perspective we can have too! Parting is just temporary!

Alma’s bags were packed. (Actually, I think Mom, mentally, has her bags packed, too). One of these days, Mom’s prayers will be answered, and she’ll walk through the door to eternity. Mom was Auntie Alma's midwife. She helped push her through that door. And here’s the best news for us. We'll walk through that door to our home sweet home one day, too. Our loved ones, there before us, will be on the sidelines cheering for us as we cross our Finish Line. In the meantime, let's give our best to God in each day while we live with eternity in our hearts. I intend to finish strong right along with you! I'll see ya' later!

Our Rich Family History

Last Sunday as we sat around the table, we talked about our “first memories” as a child. Larry said: "I was very young and my mom and I lived in a small one-bedroom apartment. The little fold-up bed I slept on had a plastic cover on the mattress and the sound of the plastic when I moved around woke up my mom and me." He’s come a long way. And, thank God, his beginnings with a single mom caused him to be compassionate toward women who are raising their families alone. That’s one of the reasons he champions the EMwomen organization and the women that my daughter is so passionate about rescuing.

Recently, my cousin and I had a long telephone conversation about many precious family moments when we were young. Our grandparents and their fervent prayer life. Our mothers, who were sisters, and their faith that modeled to us the way we should go. One of my earliest memories was visiting her and my sister in their college dorm in Springfield, MO and eating pizza for the first time in my life. I was six years old. Funny – those earliest memories!

Last week, at the memorial service of a loved one, the pianist/vocalist invited us to sing along with him at the beginning of the service. The first song we sang was “The Old Rugged Cross” and at the first note, my tears began to flow. It was an old song I had not heard for many years and it reminded me of my “rich family history” of being in church, worshipping God and hearing all those stories and songs of God’s amazing grace.

When my mother was up in years, I realized I didn't know much about her history -- stories about her 12 siblings, what it was like living in a large family, how their parents were able to support them financially, how she met my dad, etc. What a shame that I waited so long to find out. I had been so "me" focused that I didn't treasure and appreciate where I came from. I did something about it. I set up my camcorder on a tripod and a few minutes and days at a time interviewed her. Her stories were so precious and so enlightening as to how far she had come and how strong she was throughout her years.

Fortunately, I finally stopped long enough to spend quality time with her that resulted in having VHS tapes made that I could give out to my siblings and their kids when mom passed away at age 94 in 2004. (I’m amusing myself as I type this when camcorders and VHS tapes are now just “blasts from the past”! I was able to pass on to my kids and siblings their rich (not in money, but in faith and fortitude) family history.

I own up to being nostalgic. I guess that comes with being on the other side of raising children, working and caring for a home and family with more time on my hands now to be thankful for my rich family history. I am one of those “older” family members who has a wealth of knowledge and stories just waiting to be shared. Thank you, Facebook, and social media for the ability to do just that. We spend so much time scrolling incessantly on our cell phones instead of one-on-one conversations with those who are filled with treasures that we are missing out on. We don’t talk and ask questions about their life and their past and what makes them who they are today. Maybe this little blog today gives you some inspiration to inquire about your family history – what it looked like “back in their day”, who were their heroes, what helped them conquer – especially in the days without so many conveniences and so much technology that we have today. You just may come to appreciate your rich family history, too!

I am so thankful that the richest family history we have was documented in God’s Holy Word – the Bible. The more I delve into the rich family history of Christianity, the more I know I need to be living every day with great appreciation and gratitude for what our forefathers and foremothers gave us. How can I do that unless I make the effort to know that heritage? Daily, I read or listen to a "Read-the-Bible-Through" in a one-year Bible app with scriptures and commentary. The scriptures come alive, especially as I hear some of the hair-brained mistakes made and the victories that were won by so many heroes of our faith. The history of our faith isn't OLD NEWS. It is the yesterday, today and forevermore news and if we continue to review it, rehearse it, and make it known to our children and our children's children, we will all be living in the plans and purposes of God's great love for His rich family.

We Ran.....Because We Could!

My husband's Memorial Service was on Friday, and on Sunday, we ran the Tulsa Route 66 Marathon in his honor. He was paralyzed during his final weeks of life, so we celebrated that we COULD run/walk.

Over 25 of us showed up with our red "Run for Ron" t-shirts. It was the 5th marathon in 55 days that our son, Ryan, ran, but this time, in honor of his dad. He started out his 26.2 mile run at 7:30 am. Our oldest grandson, Braden, ran the half-marathon (13.1 mile). The rest of us started our 5K run/walk at 8 am. We were all running/walking with such passion -- so appreciative that we could.

Once we completed our 5K, we rushed to cheer for Braden as he crossed the Finish Line from his half marathon in his personal best time ever. He told me that he felt his Papa pushing him all the way.

When we went to meet up with Ryan at Mile 16 to cheer him on, we waited and waited. We thought we may have missed him, but in reality, we were at the right place at the right time, as Drew -- a member of my church saw us, stopped a moment to pull out a large photo of my husband. He was also "Running for Ron".

Then we got the call….a man had passed out just in front of Ryan. What marathon runners don't do, is stop running mid-way through a marathon as it seizes up their legs, but Ryan stopped to help him. When it was apparent he was unconscious, Ryan held his feet and prayed while others were performing CPR for over 16 minutes. He stayed until the ambulance took the man away. Later we found out the 27-year old man passed away during that time. We knew it was providence that Ryan was there, and even that my Honey was probably there to greet him when he reached the other side. We cheered for Ryan as he crossed the Finish Line -- not his best time because of the delay -- but God's best time, which IS the BEST time.

I was interviewed by the Tulsa World newspaper reporter about our "Run for Ron". As an exclamation point to our efforts, that article and photo ran in the paper the next day. The next words are the caption with the picture and the next section is the article. The other photo is Drew Martins, from my church.

Photo caption: "The Run for Ron Family takes a moment for a group photo at the finish line of the Route 66 Marathon. The family had many members run in various races to commemorate Ron Wuerch, who died Tuesday of cancer."

Article: "While many runners said the wind slowed down their times at the Route 66 Marathon on Sunday, one group found the wind to be anything but adversity. 'We were giving thanks for everything in our life and the wind was like a fresh breath of air,' said Donna Wuerch, whose husband Ron passed away last week.

Wuerch's daughter Staci, son, Ryan and grandson, Braden - who ran the marathon and half-marathon respectively - and a host of extended family members and friends, were decked out in 'Run for Ron' t-shirts.

"This is our way of saying, 'thank you' for our legs, our lungs," Staci said. "Dad had a lot of issues due to cancer, and we just thought it was a nice way to honor him and thank God for our blessings in our life."

Among those running for Ron Wuerch was 32-year-old Gracie Updyke, who pushed her 15-month old son Ryan in a stroller over the 5k run. Runners came from as far away as Canada to support the cause, Works of Mercy, and the Wuerch family.
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer