A Kiss So Sweet!

My mother and I headed back home on Monday night from Washington. I was ready to come home, but leaving was extremely difficult. My Grandfather, in my opinion, was doing a lot better. We can only pray that he will recover from this stroke and that the Lord would keep him from more strokes. I have a peace, because I know the Lord is in control. Most the time when he was not sleeping, he was able to recognize everybody. There were occasions when he didn't make any sense or he did make sense but it had nothing to do with anything. Still just knowing that he recognized me was enough.

Our plane was leaving at 8:25pm Monday evening. We needed to drop off the rental at 6:00pm which meant we had to leave the hospital at around 5:00pm. The closer it came to saying goodbye to my Grandfather, the more my heart broke. I don't like goodbyes. But I really don't like the kind, where you don't know if you will ever see them again. My mom and I were able to have some time alone with my Grandfather which was a very sweet time. We sang in harmony the song "In the Garden" to him. We started singing and his face lit up and emotion crept into his face. When we were finished he whispered "I've always loved it when you sing". This was very special.

The time passed and the inevitable came...saying goodbye. I told him how much I loved him and that I had to head back to California. But that I would be praying for him every day. I hugged him and then looked into his eyes and told him I loved him. He then kissed me on the cheek and I even got to hear an "I Love You". I hugged my grandma goodbye and then we left the hospital room. My heart was breaking because I was afraid I would never see him again. All I can do is leave it in the Lord's Hands. I will always remember what if felt like to hug and kiss him goodbye. And I pray that he will get better so I can hug and kiss him again.

This song keeps running through my head today giving me comfort. It is titled "My Redeemer is Faithful and True" by Steven Curtis Chapman. It goes:

As I look back on the road I've travelled,
I see so many times He carried me through;
And if there's one thing that I've learned in my life,
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

CHORUS My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do,
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

My heart rejoices when I read the promise
'There is a place I am preparing for you.'
I know someday I'll see my Lord face to face,
'Cause my Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.

(chorus)

And in every situation He has proved His love to me;
When I lack the understanding, He gives more grace to me.

(chorus)