Miracle Moments-Mom’s Internment
February 6, 2012

Miracle Moments are something learned about when Mike
passed away. Little events, “coincidences”,
that are beyond just chance that say in a profound way, “I am with you- I am
OK- I love you.” There were many of those yesterday.

When Rick and I arrived at Westminster Memorial Park on
Monday, February 6, 2012, having given Mom her last car ride- buckled in the
front seat with me in the back- just as it always was, we were surprised to find
her site beautifully canopied with chairs set up and a table for her urn. I felt an immediate need for worship music- and especially to play “The Old Rugged Cross” so I sat in the car, called Mary Rose to find out how to download Pandora and search for “The Old Rugged Cross”. I downloaded OK but could not come up with “The Old Rugged Cross” but finally accepted worship music and went to the grave site. I found that both Mom and Dad’s
marker and Aunt Kate’s had been polished again and looked shiny and almost new
and they had neatly trimmed around both markers. . I also saw that they had finally found the
vase in the grass and had uncovered it and placed the flowers that we left
Saturday in it. I was touched.

The young man from Westminster backed off and simply
said, “Take all the time you want.” At one point he commented ‘“Your Mom liked Christian Music?’ I said that she did but I really was looking for “The Old Rugged Cross”. He, being
younger than I, took my phone to try to find it to no avail. Rick prayed for us, we wept and listened to the worship music.

After some time we told the young man that it was OK to bring the grounds crew to do the burial. I thought of Mike as once he was one of these crew members-a bit of a
tough job. They were very respectful as they exposed the pre-dug hole and place Mom on top of Dad’s casket- the Celtic Cross facing skyward. They placed
shovels full of dirt on top and with the very last shovel full that filled the grave,
“The Old Rugged Cross” came on Pandora. I burst into tears. The young man, who is
shortly to leave for Boston to study for the Priesthood, said, “Your Mom wanted
to wait until this moment- some things are just meant to be.” We listened to the song as they placed the sod and immediately afterwards “Amazing Grace” played...and of course, Grandma
Janet came to our hearts. Two songs after that was “His Eye is on the Sparrow”- the song Deven sang at Grandpa Rae’s funeral- I had not heard that song before and not again until yesterday. Take the time to listen to it- the words are beautiful and a comfort.

So—after more tears, a visit with Marmee and Grandee, and a last good-bye to Mom and Dad, we left the park. As we were at the exit gate, the radio on in the car, the announcer said, “This day’s theme is- Let Go and Let God”-one of Mom's life sayings. In tears we looked at each other and could only exclaim, “Really?”

Rick took me to Polly’s Pie Palace for breakfast—our server was Charlie! Not such a common name these days.

At the end of the day- before our flight home, Rick, Mary Rose and I went to Newport pier to watch the sunset. Mom loves the ocean and sunsets- as do I. It was beautiful and peaceful. We decided we had just enough time to get a fast dinner before leaving for the airport so we would just get whatever was at the end of the pier. The choices at the end of the pier??? Charlie’s Chili and Jane’s Corndogs!!! Really?
We choose Charlie’s Chili and from my seat I looked up and they had a
Fire station/firefighter sign on the wall. Really?

I don’t know what all to make of these “Miracle Moments”
but in my heart I feel we were being reassured that Mom, Dad and Mike and are together,
still loving all of us, and at peace in their new eternal home.

"Amazing Grace" July 1, 2011

Celebration of the Life of Janet Woolington Simonson
July 10, 2011

Phil. 4:8-9

And now, brothers, as I close this letter let me say one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can Praise God for and be glad about it. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing and the God of peace will be with you.”

These words were book marked and underlined in Janet’s Bible—the first verses I read shortly after she passed from this life. It, to me, embodied all I knew Janet to be in the 43 years I knew her as a mother-in-law, mentor and friend. These verses embodied especially what she shared with me the last week of her life.

I was privileged to be one of those to be able to be by Janet’s side in her last days, honored to share intimate moments with her and be enriched by her words of wisdom and abiding faith in Christ.

On Monday we thought we had lost her…I am convinced that on that day she was given a glimpse of Heaven. Later that day she was exclaiming, “WOW—WOW—WOW”. I asked, “What is WOW?” She responded, “It was so surprising, so surprising.” I asked her if she had gone somewhere. She quickly responded, “Yes”. I asked her to tell me about it and she told me, “There was Light, Light…and …Freedom”. I asked her if she thought she saw Heaven and with a tender smile she responded, “I think so…”.

Another time, as she was saying, “Let me go…please let me go”. In attempt to make sure we were not misunderstanding her intent, Rick asked, “Go where Mom?” She paused, almost incredulous, opened her eyes and in a firm voice said, “Heaven of course!!”

Janet had so much to share that last week:

* She told Carleen, “Love Makes the Path Straight.”

* She told my children, “Spread your talents around.”

* Of the little children, likely her favorite group of people, she said "The little children—they are the best—their minds are just discovering. I love the little children.”

One of her most fervent messages was, “Each One Teach One”. Over and over again she told us, “Each one teach one.” Seeming to want to be certain we got the message and it’s importance.
The day she was welcomed into Heaven, afterwards, I took a walk along the beach with my children. Stephen started digging for sand crabs. A young boy-about the age of 11- asked Stephen to teach him how to dig for sand crabs. Stephen took the time to teach him and be sure he was successful. We continued our walk and later returning to the same spot, we saw that same young boy teaching 2 younger boys to catch sand crabs! The 11 year old yelled to Stephen, “Look- I caught a big one!”
As the rest of us watched, we all said, “Each One Teach One…this one is for you Grandma!”

One of the times I was alone with her, she told me, as she was pulling off her oxygen mask, “Medicine is NOT an exact science.” She then chuckled slightly and I asked her, “Are you cracking yourself up?” Janet quipped back, “Sometimes you just have to crack yourself up!!!”

On Monday, when Janet was struggling through this transition of her life, I leaned close to her ear and quietly began to sing, “Amazing Grace.” And immediately she calmed and began singing along with me, knowing words and verses I had forgotten. She sang from the depths of her soul. For the next four days that song carried her through. At times of agitation we learned that she was asking for us to sing “Amazing Grace” again. In the last hours of her life, when she could hardly speak- her voice still rang clear with the words, “And Grace Will Lead me Home.”

She prayed often those last days and asked often for prayer. “Take my Hand, set me Free” she would pray. Jesus was her Light. She asked Him to show her “The Way” and He did. She wanted her family to know of her Faith in Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior. He is the LOVE that makes the crooked path straight.

I was with Janet, holding her hand, as she drew her last breath- peacefully in the Huntington Beach condo she so longed to return to, --- the Grace of God Led Her Home.

How deeply pleased Janet, Great Janet, Grandma Janet, Mother, Sister and Friend, would be to hear her Great Granddaughter Madeline, Granddaughter Mary Rose, son-in-law Robert Henry and Grandson Deven Simonson sing “Amazing Grace”. Listen prayerfully to the words. They are her words and her message to all of us from a wonderful woman who lived her own life with “Amazing Grace.”

I Love you ,

Sue

Save a Place for me Brother

One year ago today, June 7, 2011 my brother, Mike McGroarty, graduated to heaven. I was by his side, holding his hand as he left. I am forever changed, living with a constant ache in my heart, but rejoice that he now lives free from pain in the Light of our Lord. I just miss him.

Tilly's 2nd Birthday

Customize your own photo slideshow

La Habra 4th of July 2010 Pt. 1

Go to marker 6 - this firework show- 4th of July 2010- was dedicated to my brother. He would have been so proud and pleased!

Simple Truths - We Hope You Enjoyed the movie!

Dedicated to my Brother Mike who lived his "dash" well. Please take the time to listen and reflect. I know it made me think.

Simple Truths - We Hope You Enjoyed the movie!

I miss you Brother ....

For my brother who went home 6 months ago today and all of us who miss him to the depths of our souls...we grieve... but not without HOPE.
I Love You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcYRr1dk7wA