HELEN RUTH (Millikin) NANCE ~
Giving honor to a woman who made a difference in our lives and others. My husband's (Terry) mother, my mother in law/love, my kids grandmother and my grandkids great grandmother. She had 7 children, 15 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren. She was a wife (widow), a mother and a care giver to many.
I will never forget at the age of 75, she was taking care of old people who were dying as she would say. She never wanted anyone to leave this earth without someone by their side. I took her example the best I could and sat by the side for almost 12 hours the day/night before she passed. The next morning, I was the only one there when she would cross that bridge of life to Heaven.
One amazing woman who was locked in silence on many issues of life. Her age of 84 years old had her go through many things that younger people will never know about. The struggles, the hard journey and the tears that were in silence. She chopped and picked cotton. Long hours in the heat and dragging a cotton sack behind her. Climb up a ladder and dump it into the cotton bend.
I had the privilege to hear stories. Fun stories and sad stories through her last weeks of life. She would like to talk, sing and said I was crazy but fun. I wasn't always the best daughter in law, but I did my best. I was only 18 years old when I met her and now I'm 60. She thought I would hurt her son (Terry) because I wasn't a Christian and I didn't understand God's ways. She was right, I didn't understand God's ways, but I believe her prayers helped me through my younger years and older years. I would give my heart to God at 19 years of age and my life would change. She was a woman who spent money on others before herself. She lived her best helping others!
1 Timothy 5:3-8 New International Version
3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
5 The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
We don't always see what we have in someone, until they are gone. Then we recall memories and blessings. You might even have a wish you had moment. I wish I had said this or that, but there is not another chance to tell the person. Never live in regrets or point fingers in life. Do your best daily to show others you care and you love them. The funeral or life celebration service is too late to tell the person, but you can share great stories of a person you loved. Some people believe that our loved ones can hear us in Heaven and some don't.
My husband and I are dealing with not having any parents now. It's a strange feeling and we know we did our best taking care of them. Both moms were in the same assistant living place, then the same care homes and mine was enter Heaven 3 years before Terry's mom. November brings a month of very sick moms and then Heaven. It also bring a month of Thanksgiving and so much to be thankful for in life. Our journey hasn't ended, it just took another turn.
I am thankful that God has connected our lives through this blog. I decided to write from the middle of my heart and on real issues. Taking a journey from the Bible and placing it in the center of our hearts. Learning and growing together. Taking care of others is what Jesus does for us and now we take care of others too.
Today marks the final resting place for Helen. We are traveling over 4 hours one way, having the service and then returning 4 hours back home. She will be beside her husband and life for us will change. My husband was a great son to her and took good care of her. I saw him sing songs with her in the care home, brush her hair and take video's that make us laugh even today. We find that the JOY of the Lord is our strength and hold tight to hope. We are glad she is no longer in pain and rest with Jesus and loved ones.
One more things she was known for was Saturday Taco night. She made enough tacos where you were never hungry. She would always feed her husband first and he would eat between 6 to 10 tacos. It always made us laugh how he was fed first and ate the most. I thought I would share that because you might not have known her personally, but her heart was BIG. I heard her cry out to God and I saw God answer her final prayer ~ HEAVEN.
We want to give thanks to Tom Smith (Tulocay Funeral Home) who is driving Helen to the resting place. He will speak and share with the family. Along with Darlene Washburn (Family) who will share God's word and whatever God puts on her heart. Family and friends who show up as well. This is closes a chapter in our lives and opens a new page. We will forever love you Mom (Helen) and count blessings of your life. See you in Heaven someday!
To the readers of my blog, thank you for sharing real life with me. For your prayers for my family and myself. My prayers continue for you, your family and friends.
~ Sparkie
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