The Only McGamma

When Mildred was born 22 years ago, Grandma Owen arrived the same day, though she lived six hours away. She cradled Millie in the hospital before we even made it home.  She had warmly welcomed me into the Owen family, but this was my first introduction to the deep reservoir of love she held for her grandbabies. 

We lived in Buffalo when Annika and Susannah were born, which was farther yet, and she cooed over each one of them during their first days of life, too. Every time John and I welcomed another "cunning" baby, from Piper and Lucinda all the way through to Mallory Mirth and sunshine Glory-girl, we knew she would join unstintingly in our joy, greeting each child soon after birth with limitless love.

Through the years, she poured love and unbridled generosity on the entire family, but her greatest delight remained in her grandchildren. At every family gathering, a common sight was Grandma sitting with her lap overflowing with children. Over the last year as we all faced the knowledge of her mortality, one of her comforts was that when God took her Home, grandchildren would be among those to greet her. She'd leave her grandchildren here for a time but would immediately be with the grandchildren we long to meet one day. 

On the evening of December 21st, the woman we can't imagine being without was absent from the body and present with her Lord. Our great loss is her great gain, yet we miss her more than words can say.

Until God fulfils our Hope, we love you. Kiss those grandbabies for us.