Beloved Are You, Mom!

Myrna \ proper name \ pronounced MIR-nah \ of Irish and Gaelic origin \ means “beloved.”

Beloved are you, Mom!

You were baptized into Christ and, by God’s grace, faithfully lived your baptism by daily dying to sin and rising to newness of life in Christ.

You lived not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, teaching your family to treasure the same.

You ate and drank regularly at the Lord’s table and therein were strengthened in faith toward God and fervent love toward neighbor.

You sought first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in Christ, not worrying about worldly wealth or fame or pleasure.

You loved, honored, and cherished Dad for 49+ years of wedded joy, patterned after the Church’s faithful submission to Jesus Christ, her Groom.

You loved, taught, guided, supported, fed, disciplined, and demonstrated Christ’s forgiveness to us five kids, modeling kindness and gentleness in all you said and did.

You faithfully taught us the faith at home and brought us to church, that from childhood we would be acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make us wise for salvation.

You were an incredible Grandma to your 20 grandchildren, loving and cherishing them just as you did us kids.

You cherished your siblings, got to know your extended family from all over the world, were well liked in the community, and were always willing to say “Hi” to a stranger.

You were a blessing not only to me, but to Lori and our four boys, all of whom miss you dearly and are thankful for the time we got to spend with you on this earthly pilgrimage.

Blessed are you, Mom!

Today—January 24—as the Church remembers Saint Timothy, whose mother and grandmother brought him up in the one true faith, so we remember you and thank God for your faithfulness and love. Yes, we miss you. But we also rejoice that you are now asleep in Christ, resting from your labors, and awaiting the resurrection on the Last Day. Our goodbye one year ago today is only temporary, for an eternity awaits us and all of God’s beloved at the wedding feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end.

Blessed are you, Mom! And blessed are we because of you!!