Many of you know by now that my dear Grandma Thompson finally made her entrance to that beautiful city yesterday afternoon at 4:30pm. She had been sick for several years with the terrible disease of Alzheimer's. She was a survivor of a heart attack and breast cancer, but could not overcome the terrible disease of Alzheimer's. Over the past 3-4 years, we have watched Grandma's health deteriorate and it was hard to take. Many people remember Grandma as being a classy lady. She would always be dressed in nice clothes, not have a hair out of place, and you could smell her perfume when she walked into church!
In recent years she was unable to pick out her own clothes or even comb her hair. Her daughter, Vickie and sister-in-law, Imogene Thompson would comb her hair for her and Grandpa would have to help dress her. Grandpa was a wonderful caregiver for Grandma in her last years. He had to do all of the household chores including cooking. He said yesterday that he remembers her telling him how wonderful the food was that he had prepared. He said he didn't think it tasted good at all but she would always brag on his cooking.
Grandma was a wonderful pastor's wife for most of her life. She and Grandpa came to pastor our church, Bethel Holiness Church, in September of 1968. They remained our pastor until this past December when Grandpa had to retire due to Grandma's decline in health. They touched many lives over their 40 years of ministry here at Bethel. I was thinking today about her seeing so many of the loved ones from our church that have gone on to be with Jesus. She's probably not gotten very far in Heaven yet for seeing so many people she knows up there.
No one will ever know the countless hours she has spent in prayer for her church family and her own personal family. She was a true woman of God and I'm so proud to say she was my Grandma. I remember as I was growing up I would go up and pray at the altar. When they would ask the saints to gather in, I would listen for Grandma. She never let me down as I would always hear her praying near me, and I knew what a prayer warrior she was. I remember calling Grandma and asking her to help pray for me when I was in nursing school and had a huge test to take, or when I had to take my state board exams. I had faith in Grandma's prayers.
I could go on and on but you would get tired of reading my thoughts. They don't mean as much to anyone else as they do to me. I just wanted to jot down a few notes and share with you how special my Grandma really was to me. I kissed her goodbye on Saturday evening and told her that I was going to be sure to come and see her in Heaven someday! I'm sure she'll be standing at the gates waiting to greet me!!!
Looking at old pictures...reminiscing
Grandma talking with Granddaughter, Jenny...
Great Grandma and Grandpa Thompson with some of their Great Grandchildren...
Celebrating Christmas 2007 with some of their family...
Enjoying a yummy dinner cooked by their daughter-in-law Sheila...
Grandma with her son, Stephen Thompson who lives in Florida...
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Grandma and Grandpa with daughter Vickie, Sons Steve, Bob Jr. and Kevin
Sweethearts for over 62 years...
Last week the kids were at Mom's one day while I was at work. My Uncle Steve, who goes fishing about every day, decided to take Parker fishing that afternoon. They went to my Grandpa Thompson's pond and spent some time fishing. Parker caught 4 or 5 little fish and was thrilled with his catch. He was so excited that he wanted to bring them home to show Mommy and Daddy! His Uncle Steve put them in a plastic bag and let him bring them home! I was horrified when I opened the bag and saw those dead fish in there! Parker thought we were going to cook them and eat them! (I thought better of that idea!) The bag laid outside on our patio for a few days because we forgot about it. On Monday, I saw that the bag had been dragged out in our yard and I told Jonathan he had to get rid of it right away! He picked it up and threw it in Kevin's dumpster where he's building a new house!! :) (Hope he isn't reading this!) The bag smelled horrible and Parker was devastated. Last night I heard Parker praying for his fish that his daddy threw away!!! :(
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