Joy In Heaven

My Aunt Helen passed from this earth into the loving arms of her Father in heaven last night.  Helen was the last remaining sibling of my mother's family.  She and my mother were very close, and I know that she has missed my mother since her passing just last year.  They were the two youngest of a rather large family, and shared everything from the memory of being present at the passing of their father at very young ages, to sharing a hospital room at the time of my brother and my cousin's births, to secrets that I'm sure were never told. My aunt and my mother shared many physical characteristics, were both strong women (each in their own way), were very devout, and loved cats.  Although I don't share any physical characteristics, I like to think that some of the other descriptors have been passed on to me by them.   Aunt Helen and I shared a bond of our hearts, and her passing is like losing a big part of my mother all over again. From the time I was a little girl, Aunt Helen was one of my favorite people.  I always made a point to spend some moments with her each time I made the trek north to visit my family.  She is one of the first of my family I introduced my sister to when we discovered our own sisterhood.  I will miss our precious times together.

As I have thought about her throughout the day, I have been consoled by the thought of the two sisters reunited once again.  I imagine that there was great rejoicing in heaven when Helen arrived and was greeted by her siblings and the husband she missed for so many years.  Helen loved to bake, and my mom loved sweets.  Although I know it doesn't quite happen this way, I have a mental picture of them sharing a piece of pie together and catching up on time passed.

My mother and her sister both loved the hymn, "The Old, Old Path".  I can't ever remember a time when I didn't know the words by heart.

There's an old, old path Where the sun shines through
Life's dark storm clouds From its home of blue,
In this old, old path made strangely sweet By the touch divine of his blessed feet.

Find the old, old path, 'Twill be ever new,
For the Savior walks All the way with you,
In this old, old path made strangely sweet By the touch divine of his blessed feet.

In this old, old path Are my friends most dear,
And I walk with them, With the angels near,
In this old, old path made strangely sweet By the touch divine of his blessed feet.

'Tis an old, old path, Shadowed vales between,
Yet I fearless walk With the Nazarene,
In this old, old path made strangely sweet By the touch divine of his blessed feet.

Mom and Helen are walking the path together with their Savior.  I can't imagine a happier place for them to be.

Blessings of:
- Being loved by Helen and sharing the path.
- Love of my family.
- Blessed Assurance of a loving Father in Heaven!