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Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Thessalonians 5:16
Over the summer, I was at Massanetta when my beloved great grandmother, who we called Mammy, passed away. I decided to go to Massanetta that week because I knew that she would want me there, even if she was going to pass away that week. She was so special, and nothing was better than spending Christmas Day with her. Each year we would wake up on Christmas morning and after we did our morning traditions, we would drive down to Walterboro to celebrate Christmas with my whole family. As soon as you walked in it was chaos, but it was familiar chaos. Each time we went there I would always talk to Mammy about school, and just about my life in general.
Over time, Mammy’s dementia got worse, and soon she did not know me. Last Christmas, the only family I saw were my grandparents and her. She didn't know it was Christmas, and we were long past being able to talk about school. It was so hard, but it was still Christmas with Mammy. This year, Christmas will not be the same without Mammy. We will still spend it with my grandparents, and we will still have our regular Christmas morning. Even though Mammy is not here, I will still feel her presence in our cookies, our stockings, and the love we have together as a family.
The verse above was on a piece of paper that we found in her room, that she had written down to memorize. Now, I can read this verse and remember that Mammy would want me to be joyful, even when she is not here and to be grateful for my family, and all that I have. I used to believe that Mammy kept our family together, but now I know that she embraced our love in a way that created bonds that could never be replaced. She was a gift to us all, and through her we learned about Jesus’ endless love towards us all, and the way we can share that gift with others.
Dear Lord, help us to feel your presence and love during this holiday season. Make us joyful and thankful for what we have. Give us the courage to share Jesus’ endless love with others. Amen.
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