Strawberry Ice Cream

Strawberry ice cream.

It's never really been listed among my favorite flavors, although I do think it is quite delicious. It's not the flavor I typically buy, but it holds a place very dear in my heart.

Today marks the four-year anniversary of the death of my absolutely wonderful Grandma Lois.

As she was dying in the hospital (with the most cheerful heart and kind spirit you could imagine), one of the foods she requested most was strawberry ice cream.

When her lungs finally failed her and she breathed her last, she was surrounded by about 30 members of her family. All seven of her children were gathered around her bed, with their children and their children's children.

The pastor from my parent's church offered up a prayer as her soul left her body, and at the amen we all decided that there was one thing left to do before we left her hospital room.

Eat strawberry ice cream.

It was absolutely fitting, and I think it was a wonderful way to mingle our grief with our fond memories and the joy of a life well lived. The joy we couldn't help but have, because our lives had been touched directly by her.

And she was full of the joy of a risen Savior.

That joy couldn't help but overflow, spilling out onto anyone who came near.

So, strawberry ice cream holds a special spot in my heart. 

It makes me think of my Grandma, and I always love to think of her!

Before she died I was able to tell her that I was (very newly) pregnant with Asher, and her excitement burst out of her lips with a squeal and a, "Ooooohhh, you're going to have so much fun!!!!"

She told me that she was going to float through the sky over to Virginia and watch me playing with my children. That I would just absolutely love it, and she was so excited to watch me.

When I'm outside, I often look up at the sky and smile.

Grandma was the sort of person who was impossible not to love, and I'm so glad to have had such a wonderful example to follow. I'm so thankful to have been close enough to her to be regularly showered with her loving kindness.

She has been one of the greatest examples to me, both in her life and her death, and I aspire daily to match her servant's heart, her kind lips, her contagious smile and her continual outpouring of a love that never ran out.

I want to be her when I grow up.  :)

To my sweet Grandma, I miss you dearly! And I'm eating strawberry ice cream tonight, because I know it would make you smile.

XOXO