A life well lived.

I know that no matter what I write it will not do justice to what I feel. Or what my ex-husband feels. Or my kids feel. But I have to get it out and put it "on paper" so to speak.

A few weeks ago, one of the most precious women ever to walk this earth passed away. My ex-husband, Jeff's grandmother, Clayton Beatrice Eubanks Roberts at age 96 went to be with her Lord and Savior.  She was reunited in Heaven with her husband of 71 years, Joseph Cosmo Roberts, her son Glenn Dale, her parents and many other relatives and friends that passed on before her.

She is survived by three daughters, Martha, Frances and Edith.  Martha has 4 children--Charlie, Angie, Beth and John. Frances has two sons--Danny and Michael. Edith has 3 children--Ricky, Traci and Jeff, my ex-husband.  There is no way I could name all of the great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

She served her Lord and her family all the days of her life. I met her 34 years ago when Jeff and I were still teenagers and just dating. In all that time, I never once knew her to have an unkind word to say, let alone actually say it. She always was in a great mood and had a smile on her beautiful face.

My kids loved hearing her talk about growing up on a farm during the depression and how wondeful it was because they didn't ever know times were hard. They always had plenty to eat and a great time.

She was a great cook and I remember when Jeff and I first got married he told me about his grandmother's chocolate and biscuits. At the time I thought that was disgusting. But because he loved them I got the recipe and made them and oh my word, what a treat!

When Jeff and I divorced, she always asked my kids how I was doing and the few times I got to see her afterward, she was always kind to me. I'm sure she knew the circumstances surrounding our split but she was never angry, never bitter, never unkind. She always extended understanding, love and forgiveness.  Oh to be like that!

I kid you not when I tell you how completely Christ-like she and granddaddy both were. They were not the kind of Christians that thought they were the only righteous people on earth. They weren't the type to spout out Bible verses or preach to you. They would never turn anyone away or speak in judgement of others. They probably didn't even think such thoughts. They just lived. Calmly, simply and lovingly. THAT is how true Christians should be.  And the thing about it is they seemed to do it so effortlessly.

What we would all give to live 96 years--to see our children and grandchildren grown, to meet our great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and even see some of them grown and doing well. But to live 96 years so close to the Lord that you could even be mistaken for Him because of how you act--it not only leaves me speechless but breathless. Wow. To live that kind of life is what we should ALL be striving for because that is as close to a perfect life as we could possibly get.

I am sure that when she passed on into Heaven, she not only heard welcoming cheers but no doubt she heard the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Well done, indeed.

We love and miss you very much, Grandmother Roberts!