Posts tagged as:

death

It’s been a year

by Jessica on January 19, 2010

A year ago today my grandpa died. He wasn’t really grandpa, that never quite fit him. He was PawPaw. A few days after he died, I wrote this:

After I found out that PawPaw had passed on from this life to the next I felt disoriented, sober, and busy. I remember putting my son in his crib and looking at him, telling him we were going on a trip soon. That PawPaw had died and was in heaven with Jesus. He just smiled.

But my heart choked and I could feel tears in my eyes. I felt a little lost, a little empty. I told him that PawPaw was in a better place, that he didn’t hurt anymore.

And as I told Joey where PawPaw was, my eyes filled with tears, I knew PawPaw was in a much better place, even though his going hurts our hearts. I just imagine him standing in heaven–standing, no cane, no weak legs–looking across this vast expanse of light smiling. For “the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb” (Rev. 21:23).

And then, it got me. He’s free. I am sad at his going, but he is free. It was as if suddenly I remembered that well-quoted verse, “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

He is standing in the presence of Jesus! What better place is there to be? He is in the place where thousands upon thousands sing, continually, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Rev. 5:12). He is there in the kingdom of the One who so graciously saved his soul.

Oh, Hope beyond us all! What hope would there be in death, what consolation, without the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior? Even more than this our hope, PawPaw’s hope, is in the One who has overcome!

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor. 15:55)

The grave has been conquered and victory is won. The power of sin and death are no more.

“Jesus has overcome, and the grave is overwhelmed.

Victory is won, He is risen from the dead!”

- I Will Rise, by Chris Tomlin

Standing free, our father, our grandfather, our dear friend is standing in the place where there is no need for light–for God is the Light–and sings, “Worthy is the Lamb!”

What a glorious place to be!

But my heart choked and I could feel tears in my eyes. I felt a little lost, a little empty. I told him that PawPaw was in a better place, that he didn’t hurt anymore.

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor. 15:55)

The grave has been conquered and victory is won. The power of sin and death are no more.

“Jesus has overcome, and the grave is overwhelmed.

Victory is won, He is risen from the dead!”

- I Will Rise, by Chris Tomlin

Standing free, our father, our grandfather, our dear friend is standing in the place where there is no need for light–for God is the Light–and sings, “Worthy is the Lamb!”

What a glorious place to be!

Other posts from that week:

My Processing - I wanted to be there. I wanted to see him just one last time…
Eulogy - To see the suffering of the past couple of weeks…
Obituary - James (Jim) LeVerne Oxendine, 72 of Rock Hill, SC departed this life…
MawMaw & PawPaw – They came as a package. It’s hard to imagine one without the other…

Tagged as: death, family, life, pictures, remembering

{ 2 comments }

Jimmy O: MawMaw & PawPaw

by Jessica on January 25, 2009

in Celebrations

They come as a package, MawMaw and PawPaw. It’s hard to imagine one without the other.

Their wedding day

One of my favorites

MawMaw would have my head if she knew
I put this picture up, but I love it!

Tagged as: death, family, life, pictures

{ 1 comment }

Jimmy O: An Eulogy

by Jessica on January 24, 2009

in Celebrations

To see the suffering in the past couple of weeks have been a difficult period for us. Losing a loved one is difficult but we also lost a friend, an inspiration, a civil servant, a leader, a boss, and a visionary. No words can express what we are feeling right now and I’m sure only time can help us accept the fact.

Our father was one of those hard working fathers that always sought to provide for his family and for others. His words were the law in our house and at Red-Line. When I was young, I used to fear him but later I recognized he was already teaching me some of the most valuable lessons in life.

To stand up for what you believe in. To have principles. To have Faith.

But most importantly to Act on those Principles and Faith.

If someone said it could not be done, he would ask why not and conquer it anyhow. The mountain was never too high! If there was a mountain he could not climb, he was comfortable in asking God for the ability to climb higher. It’s only from the top, did you have the best view. As we grew older, we understood that he was teaching us along the way to be self-sufficient and handle your own affairs and give back to the community. He had a solution to every problem and had his ways of making things simple.

Many of you have discovered that he was a very compassionate and kind person. He would give his time, resources and monies increasingly to missions, churches, individuals, foundations, universities, benefits, sports teams and a host of other activities. He had a GREAT BIG HEART for the hurting. To his friends and community he was always ready to help. He never asked anybody for help and he never wanted to be acknowledged for anything he did. When he helped, he simply helped.

I remember when we were little he was very strict as a father but that’s only because he cared for us and that the most important thing that he cherished was us, his family. He would often say how really proud he was of what we have become. We are who we are now because we had a father like him.

He showed strength until the end and like Jesus some of his last words were, “take care of your mama.” We promise we will continue what our father has started. We know we’ll be filling huge shoes but with your help we can do it.