On the 27th of December 2007 my (Narelles) Nana, Edna Joy Maddock went home to glory. Today, back home in Australia, our family are holding a thanksgiving service for her life. As we are not able to be there, I wrote the following to be read out at the service.
Dear Nana,
We have spent so much time in the last ten years writing letters to one another, I thought it appropriate that I write one last one to say goodbye.
I will miss you terribly. You have been a constant source of love and encouragement in my life. I know that you have prayed for me since I was a wee babe, and all through my childhood and as I have grown in life and in my relationship with Jesus.
You gave me a card once, and on it was a little verse that read ‘ May your life be as beautiful as God intended it to be’. I know that this has been your prayer for all of your grandchildren. I have had such confidence and peace knowing you were praying this prayer constantly for my little family and me. I will always be so grateful for those prayers, I know I would not be the person I am today without them.
Your strong faith and love of God has been an example and challenge to me. You were always so deeply passionate about the Bible, and you loved to take time to exchange your ideas and deep thoughts regarding His word – you really loved Gods Word. You filled your life with it. This is something I will always remember, and it will always challenge me in my faith journey. I would love to be more like you in this area.
I am sad that we didn’t have more time together over these last years, and yet you were so supportive as Sandy and I left Australia to work overseas. Your letters were as constant and as encouraging as your prayers – it didn’t matter where we were in the world, they would always find us. I think secretly you would have loved to have kept your family all together, close and safe. You had no choice but to adapt to the call and direction on each of our lives, as we have packed up houses, boarded planes and headed off to different corners of the world. Thank you for letting us go, and for keeping in touch despite the miles.
I am grateful for the times we had together. My favourite moments were those when we would sit at your kitchen table, cups of tea in hand, and we would pour over the family photo albums and you would tell me stories of people and places long ago.
Your amazing memory always fascinated me. How on earth did you recall those exact dates and names of places and people from years ago? You always remembered birthdays, anniversaries and special dates. I would always smile with both amusement and amazement when you would write lines in your letters like... “ This day, 32 years ago, Poppa and I drove out to the Henty Field Day with the boys”. Or… “It was 55 years today since we got the water tank put up at the back of the house”.
You really did have an amazing mind. I can just see you up in heaven dishing out dates and recalling events with family and friends. What fun you will have! Unfortunately, I was not blessed with your genes in the brilliant mind department, so I am grateful that you took the time to write down our family story. I am thrilled that my children will have a chance to read those accounts and get a glimpse into the lives of our family from years ago.
So Nan, I must finish now and I am not going to say goodbye. Just see you later – because we will all be together again one day.
We will always love you and endeavour to pass on to our children and our children’s children the good things you have given us. My heart is so full of joy to know that you are well in body and mind again, and you are with your beloved Saviour and precious family and friends gone before.
I will finish with Poppas favourite verse from Isaiah 40:31
Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength,
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not be weary; they will walk and not faint.
Love, Narelle, Sandy, Rachel and Megan. xxxx
