March 3...

Farfar would have been 84 today....Thank you to all of you who were praying and are still praying for my family. The memorial service was a wonderful celebration of his life, and it was a great honor for me to share my memories of Farfar before all of the people that loved and cared about him. What a hope we have when we know with assurance where he placed his faith! I kept thanking God over and over again throughout Monday and Tuesday, especially when another wave of sadness passed over my heart- that death has lost its sting! And even though we still feel a slight "sting" here on earth, it is a fleeting feeling as we are comforted knowing that God now is Farfar's full-time caregiver...we have surrendered him to God's care...the best and most comprehensive, and all-sufficient care there is! It is also wonderful to know that next month we get to celebrate Christ's death and resurrection...the reason we can sing "Christ's redeeming work is done, where thy victory O grave?"

My dad also shared some thoughts and memories at the service-I love hearing him speak, and honestly, sometimes think he should have been a pastor...:) Stockholm Inn (a famous Swedish restaurant in Rockford) was packed with people too...we enjoyed rice pudding and other yummy treats after the service, and it was so fun to have the atmosphere be cheerful-this is what Farfar would have wanted, and he was a faithful patron of Stockholm Inn where he took his coffee break everyday, so it felt very right to be there. Jonas was a joy to have around too...having him dedicated on Sunday was the perfect precursor to Farfar's service...the baton has now been passed to a little "Eric(k)"- and we praise God that where life ends, He also brings new beginnings!