Today was such a bittersweet day for my family. Today we laid my sweet great-Grandma to rest. This lady leaves a legacy. Webster's dictionary describes the word "matriarch" as: a woman who rules or dominates a family, group, or state;specifically : a mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants. Let me just tell you...this woman was the epitome of matriarch. After all, she is my namesake, as well as my mother's and my daughter's. My great-great Grandmother's name was Laura Elizabeth Tillitt, my Great-Grandma was Letha Elizabeth Milton, my mom is Laura Elizabeth Sparks, I am Amanda Elizabeth Billings, and my daughter is Anna Elizabeth Billings. Five generations. I think I have very perfect reason to be proud.
The title of this post is "Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown". This was the song played today. I had never heard this song before my Meemaw said it was Grandma's favorite song and she knew she would want it played. I did a little researching. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 9:25 that we will get a crown that will last forever. No doubt my Grandma is proudly wearing her crown in Heaven right this very moment. I have failed to mention something extremely important. Grandma was only 3 weeks and 1 day shy of her 101st birthday. Yes, that is right..101!!!! That is no small feat. Think of all you could accomplish in 101 years! I will tell you something she accomplished. She instilled the love of Lord in our family. My namesake took my Meemaw church, who in turn took my mom as well as her three sisters to church, who in turn take their families to church. Going to church is all well and good, but I'm telling you...THIS FAMILY LOVES THE LORD! We have Grandma to thank for that! So, no doubt, Grandma has MANY stars in her crown.
After the funeral we went to Grandma's old farm. The farmhouse has been turned into an office for a roofing company, but the lady in the office was so gracious and let us come in and look around. Mom and Judy were over the moon to look around and show us all the memories there.
These are all pictures of the land around the house
This is the farm house where my Great-Grandma and Grandpa lived and where my Meemaw grew up.
These are some pictures of some of the barns on what was once my great-grandparent's dairy farm.
This was inside the "milking barn". Not sure why I'm getting a look from Robin. Snapped a pic at the wrong time! LOL
more from inside the barn
Mom, Judy, Robin and Diane in front of the house.
It was a sad day, but also a very sweet day. It is always so much easier saying good-bye to someone when you know for sure they will spend eternity in Heaven. You may ask if I really believe that--if I really believe there is a God and a heaven and eternity. Absolutely. With every ounce of my being.
I am having some technical difficulties uploading a video of Grandma's great nieces and great nephew singing How Great Thou Art. Please check back- I will figure out!
