My Special Valentine

Today is Valentine’s Day.  Every Valentine’s Day since 2007 has been a difficult one for me.  My loving mother, Grace, went to heaven on Valentine’s Day 2007.  She died of cancer and I took care of her and was there until the very end of her life. 

My dad is the head of a non-profit Christian organization, and my mom worked there with him.  All the coworkers loved my mom and helped my dad plan the service.  One of them asked me to deliver one of three eulogies at my mom’s service.  My dad didn’t ask me, he knew how difficult it would be for me to stand in front of hundreds of people in such a time, and talk about my mom.  I wanted to shy away and say no.  But who knew my mom like I did?  Who could talk about her and honor her the best way?  I knew it had to be me.  So I took on the responsibility despite my sadness and fear. 

 
{Chapel at Rose Hill, where my mom’s service was held.}


{Outpouring of love and flowers for my mom.  She was well-loved by everyone she knew.}


{My best friend Meera, giving my comfort and strength.}


{My dad standing in front of my mom’s casket.}

Today, five years after her passing, I thought that I would honor her by posting my eulogy.  I have not opened up my speech or looked at it in five years.  I also haven’t looked at photos from her memorial service and funeral in five years.  I just couldn’t bear to open up that folder on my hard drive, until now.

Here is my eulogy.  My mom was quite a woman and servant of Jesus.  I miss her terribly but know that I will see her again in heaven.

”We are here to remember my mom Grace, and to celebrate her life, all that she had accomplished and what she means to each one of us. She was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, beloved wife, cherished mother, beloved sister, and a good friend to so many of you. Mom’s name, Grace, really befitted her character. She was the grace of God embodied in a person. She was a gift from God to us.

When I think about my mom, I think of her many good qualities. Her gentleness, her kindness, her generosity, and her total unselfishness. But most of all, I am reminded of God’s love through her. She lived her life with her love of Jesus and God’s love shining through her. Her joy came from the Lord. Phil 4:4-5 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.” This verse describes how my mom lived her life in Christ. Her gentleness was evident to all who knew her. Even though she was quiet and unassuming, her gentleness, her shy smile, and her loving kindness touched everyone who came in contact with her. Jesus wants us to live our lives so that others can see Him though us. I believe many of us met Jesus because of my mom. My mom, with the Holy Spirit in her, exhibited many of the character qualities that God truly values. According to Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. When I think about these fruits of the Spirit, it is evident that’s how my mom lived her life. She lived according to God’s standards, not human standards.

She loved our family unconditionally. Not only that, she loved others unconditionally. I have never heard her say anything negative or complain about someone else. She always gave everyone the benefit of the doubt, even when they may not have treated her in the best way. She never held grudges against anyone, especially those in the body of Christ. One of my mom’s old friends from the Walnut Creek church came to visit her about a month ago, and she told my mom that she had never seen my mom angry with someone else. She was always concerned for others. Even her last day of life on earth, she was concerned about whether we had a chance to get a bite to eat in the midst of caring for her.

Even though she was gentle and unselfish, she was very strong in her unwavering faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Despite her condition toward the end of her life here on earth, she had faith that God could heal her of her cancer if that was His will and plan for her. While we don’t understand why God’s plan is to bring my mom Home at this time, we can trust in His omniscience that His plan is perfect and the best plan for all of us. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” He loves us and has the best plans for our lives. He is able to do in our lives more than we can ever imagine.

I believe when my mom got to heaven, she heard our Lord say to her, “Well done, my faithful servant, well done!” Those are words of honor that any one of us would love to hear from God. I, along with my family and all of you, will surely miss her very much. But we can all take comfort and rejoice that we will see her again in heaven, where there is no pain and no tears, where we will spend eternity in the presence of each other and with God.”