On Thursday morning, my nephew called home from Iraq. We never know when we'll hear from him. It all depends on what's going on at his base, if he can get permission and a calling card, and if someone is on this end to answer. According to my sister in law, she answered her cell phone to hear the voice of someone she didn't know. "Are you Blake's mom?" the voice said. Instantly, she was frightened. "Yes, who is this?" The voice said, "I am a friend of Blake's. He's right here," and handed the phone to Blake.
Apparently, this young airman had a few minutes left on his card. And he just thought maybe Blake should use those minutes to check in - so he dialed the phone for him.
What Blake or that airman didn't know at that moment, is that Grandma had passed away earlier that morning. This wonderful, sweet, selfless, beautiful woman that Blake called Grandma (but was really Great-Grandma) had suffered a stroke and gone to be with the Lord. Blake's mother had the opportunity to share that with him on the phone in those few minutes that she otherwise wouldn't have had.
Lest you think that's the end of the story...
Blake was then very upset, the calling card cut them off and he and his buddy sat complacent. A military chaplain happened to walk by and ask the boys how their day was going. Blake shared he just learned his great-grandmother whom he was very close to had passed away and he was dealing with that and really missing home. The chaplain handed him a full phone card and his was able to call home and talk to others and share his grief with loved ones.
Today we will lay my husband's grandmother to rest. Last night, we took our children to say goodbye to her a final time before the casket is closed. Blake didn't have that chance - but the Lord's work in his life and in his heart is a testament of everything Grandma stood for. And we can feel her beaming with love and joy. We will miss her terribly - yet somehow knowing she's guarding over Blake in a very special way now brings a smile to our face to catch the tears.
1 comment:
Amazing story. I am still wearing Blakes bracelet and I haven't taken it off. Alot of people ask about it. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
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