It was becoming a house, instead of a home.
Gary’s mama, Jeannette Kelly Bunch, passed away in December at 98 years old at her home. She was an interesting, intelligent woman who loved life, swimming, all things to do with water, and God.
As we did with my mama’s house, we now had to take on the task of dividing up and disposing of a household that was no longer needed.
We know as we die and slip from our physical bodies, we let go of all of our earthly possessions and home to step out into eternity.
As a wife, mother and grandmother; I gather things to make our home more comfortable, attractive and functional. One day our children will have to divide up, throw away and repurpose the things I have gathered.
It is the way of life.
Fortunately, Gary’s two sisters and he work well together and the process went along smoothly. Each child and grandchildren had different needs and were able to incorporate furniture or dishes or memorabilia into their households.
Going through pictures and letters was probably one of the most difficult things to do. What to throw away, what to keep, what to divide up was the question. The memories that were stirred by these old photos overwhelmed us at times.
What meant the most to one sibling, often was not what the other siblings treasured. The memories connected to the things often determined who kept what.
As Christians, we understand Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
But when we are blessed with things in life, we do value them and try to be good stewards of them.
As we sort through possessions of our loved ones who have died, we often relive memories and feelings of all kinds. We can take time and honor the ones we no longer have. We can be understanding to those who have a hard time letting physical reminders go. Maybe we need to let everyone take the time they need to say goodbye and experience the change that is taking place.
Walking through the house after the furniture was loaded, the beds gone, the pictures and wall hangings removed, was sad. The home had been dismantled and was now a house waiting for the next occupant to come and make it theirs.
And so it goes.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.”
Embrace life, embrace the change, and trust in God.
