She Gave It All



I walked a mile with Pleasure;

She chatted all the way;

But left me none the wiser

For all she had to say.



I walked a mile with Sorrow,

And ne'er a word said she;

But, oh! The things I learned from her,

When Sorrow walked with me.



ROBERT BROWNING HAMILTON
 
Everything.
 
She gave everything.
 
Love
Joy
Laughter
All her earthly resources
 
She gave it all away.
 
My Mother in Law
Marilyn Strate
 
passed on to glory
yesterday morning.
 
She is safe in the arms of Jesus
and
she is not suffering.
 
This is not about the last two months of her life
when everything was hard for her.
 
This is about how one person
could give so much.
 
Last night, we got out her papers.
 
She had nothing left.
 
Nothing?
 
Absolutely not!
 
She did what she was supposed to do.
She gave it all away! 
 
And in return,
 
she had everything! 
 
She was cared for
by a son
that could not have been more devoted.
 
She was loved by her family
and many friends,
 
and
 
She loved.
 
And I know,
without a doubt,
that because of her
faith and trust
in
Jesus
as her
Lord and Saviour
 
that
she is in
Heaven
safe and comfortable
rejoicing.
 
We, as her family,
rejoice
with her
and
know
that we will see her again.
 
Such comfort.
 
So in the next few days
as people
come and go,
 
we will
 
share laughter,
 
share tears,
 
visit,
 
remember,
 
rejoice,
 
a life well led,
 
A Giving Life.
 
Oh, that we all could leave this life
with
NOTHING! 
 
If we could give it all.
 
Our love,
Our time,
 
Material possessions.
 
To know that we gave it all away,
 
Everything! 
 
That is was our time to go,
 
because we had
 
given everything,
 
That is a life well led.
 
 
 
 
 

My mother in law loved to "make the blog" as she called it.   She would read every post.  She would reprimand me when I had not posted for awhile.   I have had people question me if she got mad or upset
and things that I would write.  She did not.   She always had the ability to laugh at herself.  Please don't consider these posts inappropriate, she loved to read them.   I am so glad I have them....for the memories.  
There are many more.  I will read and reread them....I will miss her.

http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/2010/09/kazoos-and-three-ps.html

http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/2012/02/and-winner-is.html

http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/2009/01/gifts-from-my-mother-in-law.html

http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/2011/08/fifty-one-blue-schoolbus-photos.html

http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/2010/01/if-there-is-any-humor.html

http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-not-to-grocery-shop.html

http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/2011/04/another-trip-around-sun.html

http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/2009/11/four-words-that-strike-fear.html

http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/2012/09/why-women-nag.html

http://tolentreasures.blogspot.com/2011/08/beachbuzz-woody-unicorn-apple-peeler.html

Comments

Catherine said…
So sorry for your loss. Your post is a wonderful tribute the your mother~in~law.
Trace4J said…
How blessed you were by such a dear Mother in Love.
And what joy and peace in knowing she is HOME!
Blessings & HUGS to you and your Family
Trace
Patti said…
Cathy, I'm so sorry to hear this, she was a very neat lady and I am happy Mike and I got to meet her. May she rest in peace. Patti
Sheila said…
Dear Cathy and Family,
I'm deeply sorry for your loss; you are in my thoughts and prayers. What a beautiful tribute to your MIL..........no more suffering and pain. I'm sure she will be greatly missed.
Sending hugs and prayers to you all.
~Sheila
Angela said…
A wonderful tribute to your MIL Cathy. She would love this post also. Prayers for you and your family. God be with you all.
HUGS,
Angela
Bev said…
Extending my sympathy to you and John. and of course the family and friends that she had blessed with her genuine love for all of you.
Holly said…
So sorry for your loss. She sounds like a remarkable lady and I know she will be missed. Sending lots of hugs and thoughts your way.
Cathy
I'm so Sorry for your loss.
Your Mother-in-Law sounded like a wonderful woman.
My thoughts and Prayers are with you and your Family at this difficult time.
Teresa said…
So sorry for your family's loss. I know she was a big part in it. What a lovely tribute you gave her.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches
Unknown said…
What a wonderful woman and tribute to her! God bless you and yours, I am so sorry for your loss.
~Lori
Balisha said…
Cathy,
Blessings to you and your family. I read about her many times on your blog.I'm sure she would have loved this very special tribute. Her suffering is over.
Balisha
Cathy,
So sorry to hear of your family's loss.
Hugs and prayers,
Lois
Susannah said…
What an absolutely wonderful tribute to your mother-in-law. It is remarkable how much she meant to you. She is at peace now and you will see her again someday. Please accept my sympathy to you and your family. I know it is hard.

Susannah
So sorry for your loss. What a lovely tribute the your mother in law.
xoxo
Tymes Past said…
Cathy & John,

So sorry for your loss...praying for you and yours at this time...Bev
jennifer768 said…
Cathy so sorry for the loss of your MIL! This was a wonderful post and tribute to her.Please know that I am praying for the family.Hugs,Jen
Sylvia said…
Cathy, My prayers are with you and yours in your time of loss. Sylvia
Jen said…
My sympathies to you and your family. I could tell from reading about your jaunts with your MIL that you had a wonderful relationship and I am sure that it meant the world to her that you were there for her. God bless to all of you. May she be at peace.
Barb said…
Sorry for your loss Cathy. What fabulous memories you have shared.
Thoughts and prayers for you and your family at this time.
Barb

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