Tribute to Jean

Since it is 12:38 am and I am still up writing this, I can say that I am going to a funeral today. No funeral is ever a happy occasion but when the person has lived a full, giving, loving life and you KNOW they are a Christian it's easier to handle. Our neighbor behind us name was/is Jean. She is one of the sweetest people I've ever met. I described her to my mother once and I told her she was just like Mamaw, my grandmother. Jean was the first to welcome us to the neighborhood. She became known as the "cookie lady" to my children because she was always baking cookies and bringing them by. She liked to read my blogs and would email me comments about them too.
The last time I saw Jean was Saturday, April 29th. I went by her house because I would sometimes print out things on her printer if I needed something last minute and the library was closed (since Gabriel FED something to our printer and it ended up in the trash). I read her a speech I had written and being the teacher she was, she corrected me. We got into a discussion about writing and then I asked her if she was okay because she didn't look well. I asked her if she needed to go to the doctor and she told me she was going on Monday and she would be fine- just a little trouble breathing. I told her she had better call me if she needed anything 'cause I'd be mad if she didn't. She told me laughing, "So if I die, you'll be mad at me?" I thought a second and said, "Yes I will, and I know where you'll be going 'cause I'm going there too, and when I get there I'll come up and say something to you about not calling me!" That was the last time I saw Jean, my dear neighbor in the back.
She went to the hospital Sunday night. Her good friend Berta took her and called her family. Her daughter came and then her son from out of state. I got to talk to her one last time on the phone and I told her to shut her eyes and I prayed everything would go well for her. And who is to say it didn't? There are so many things people don't see or refuse to accept but I KNOW, I have that assurance of where I am going and I know EXACTLY what Jean is up to right now. Kinda - I mean I don't know who she is hanging out with or what rewards she has received BUT I KNOW she has seen the face of God. I know she no longer wonders...
What it will be like when she walks by HIS side, what her eyes will see when HIS face is before her...
Surrounded by your glory what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah or will I be able to speak at all? All of us...we really can only imagine.
When my wonderful Grandmother went to Heaven I did not send flowers. I can't stand the smell of them because carnations smell like death and my grandmother's NOT dead! So instead I got balloons that said "WELCOME HOME". (The sales clerk at the store asked my cousin's husband, whom I sent to get them, if I wanted some that said "Welcome Back" too and he stood there quiet "thinking" about it and then replied, "No, I don't think that would be quite what we are looking for").
Anyway, the whole point I am saying is that although I will miss Jean, I am so happy for her! And guys, if you think I'm nuts, well then we need to talk...
BYE FOR NOW JEAN! I'LL SEE YOU AROUND- CAN'T SAY WHEN, BUT YOU ENJOY YOURSELF WHILE I'M DOWN HERE COOKIE-LESS!