She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
from Proverbs 31
October 21st marked the passing of my grandma, Alyce Hartwig, after 95 years on this earth. It brought mixed feelings for many as she had lived such a long life and was now free of the mind and body that began to fail her. She began to experience significant dementia toward the end, so it became hard for her children when she seemed unhappy and incoherent, and when they couldn’t just ‘bring her back to the house’ like she asked at times. Everyone attempted to keep some normalcy by visiting frequently and celebrating holidays and birthdays, but after awhile it was hard to know who she truly recognized. She would often have to be reminded multiple times of who the birthday cake and balloons were for, but every now and then you could see her eyes light up as she recognized her grown children, surrounding her with laughter and fish stories.
The end of a life is often a time for contemplation, and its difficult for me to comprehend the amount of life that is lived in 95 years. To think that she has experienced almost everything that one life can throw you, and probably more. From her years as a beautiful young lady, who found herself a heart throb in Grandpa Art and probably daydreamed of the day she’d marry him, have her own farm, and a house full of kids. To the middle years when she was in the ‘thick of it’, with the exhausting years of child rearing and tough times on the farm. After all was said and done, she lived through the Great depression, two world wars and 17 presidents; the birth of 5 children, over 69 years of marriage, the loss of a son and husband; and all of the heart breaks and joy in between.
Its odd to think that such a long life often comes to an end in such a quiet and seemingly arbitrary way. With close loved ones surrounding and sharing a final hug with their mom, who in her delicate state, quietly drifted in and out of sleep. The same Mom who was once a symbol of strength in their home, a staunch Norwegian Lutheran, who loved her children more than anything on earth.
Life can seem unfair when a loved one’s health and memories are slowly fading away. ‘Life ain’t a bed of roses’ is what Grandma once said to me, her granddaughter with lots of years left ahead, (Lord willing). I don’t think she meant it as a discouragement or a reality check, but almost as a reminder that this life on earth isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. As a celebration of her life and in honor of her memory we are all able to thank God through His Son, that this life isn’t the end of the story, but only the beginning.
Cheers to 95 years on this soil, to a new beginning, and to a tough old Norwegian who was a blessing to everyone who crossed her path.
A woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at (heaven’s) gate.
from Proverbs 31
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