Technically, it will be a year at 10:45 p.m. Mountain Time.
It is so strange having a parent in heaven. I spend every workday talking to little children about God and his saving love, and how he has a plan to have us with him in heaven forever – it’s a free gift! No matter what we have done, his love and forgiveness is boundless….. much like a parent’s love, only better.
Mom’s there. She’s there with my grandparents and aunts and friends and sooooo many people. In our church, the Company of Heaven is represented in the brickwork in the sanctuary.

The top two rows of bricks stand up like people, surrounding the congregation. Church is when I’m most emotional I’m ok for the most part, until we get to the part of the communion literary that says, ”….then with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you and saying “Holy Holy Holy…..” That part is pretty strange to wrap my head around. She’s part of that. During communion, I am with her.
I love her so much. We lived so far apart here on earth, it’s just like she’s a bit farther away. I do miss talking to her, but I ask Jesus to pass along my ‘hellos’. She was a great lady. My brother Phil alway saw a resemblance to Queen Elizabeth when they were younger. My sister Keren dreams of her often and ‘talks’ to her then. My brother Mark spoke such gentle words to her in her last days, and my Dad was absolutely her rock.
When we were in Colorado a while back, Dad sent us off with a couple of old iPads for Lloyd to sell at the technology sale. Lloyd wisely asked me to go through them to see if there were any photos I wanted to save.
There are many, but there was this surprising one from 2018. Mom took a selfie! I absolutely love it, and I love her.

We miss you, Mom.
I am praying for you and your family.
That’s a picture worthy of printing and propping up on your kitchen window sill. <3
The row of verticle bricks standing on the narrow side of each brick is called a soldier row. How fitting to be surrounded those who fought the good fight of faith and triumphed.
The Sanctus is my FAVORITE part of the singing of the Divine Service. As the organist, I blast out the organ because we are united with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven. It’s truly a special moment.
Prayers of blessings and comfort for you today.
Beautifully written, Lauren. Prayers that you have many sweet memories of your mom flood your mind today and everyday.
I love this, Lauren. These words would be such a comfort to people who are struggling with loss of their own.
I would ask that God’s peace be with you, but it already is 🙂