Death is never easy, but it's a reality of this broken world.
About a month ago, we said our final "I love you" to our Baca (grandma) via FaceTime, she in the hospital and we all together at my parents' home for a weekend family "staycation." While we couldn't be with her physically the last week or so of her life due to Covid-19 restrictions and hospitals not allowing more than one visitor, God was so faithful in that our entire family was together, able to support one another.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we hadn't been able to hug our grandparents, and the last time we saw Baca in person, the day she later ended up going to the hospital for the last time, we were able to embrace her. None of us knew it would be the last time we'd see her. We all knew she would probably pass within the next few months and to treat every visit like it could be our last, but we didn't know that would be "it"; having the memory of our final visit ending with a hug and "I love you" provides immeasurable comfort.
Baca was one of the kindest, strongest, and most talented people who ever walked this earth. Baca was an excellent archery hunter (the first female archer to bag a deer); an incredible water-skier; skilled outdoorswoman; a powerful prayer warrior; an absolute lover of all things Christmas; and a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She and our Baci (grandpa) were -- and are -- pillars in our family. Baca (with Baci beside her) was the first person we called after we had a successful hunt. Our favorite quote of hunting season is "the Lord can put a deer anywhere he wants," a quote we've passed down from Baca for years. Baca and Baci were present for birthday parties, holidays, and many visits in between. Some of my best memories are visiting them at their home near the beach and going on hunting outings with Baci and giving Baca the "update call" with him in the car. If we were hunting near the beach, she'd always welcome us home in the evening with "the mighty hunters return!" as we trudged wearily through the door.
I wish we had more time with her, wish I had learned more about her history and upbringing, wish we'd taken more pictures together, but at the same time am so very thankful for the full life she lived and for the strong relationship we did have with our sweet Baca. Her passing has encouraged us to be even more intentional in our family relationships, especially with Baci, our incredible grandfather who has had to say an earthly, heart-wrenching, goodbye to his beloved wife, whom he affectionately called "mama."
So, while my heart is grieving at this earthly loss, we are able to look forward to heaven, knowing that Jesus has conquered pain, suffering, and death; knowing that Baca believed in Jesus and is now in his tender care; knowing that we will see her again.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (English Standard).
Held fast by Jesus,
Sonia
