I decided it’s high time I wrote another Gratituesday post. Please join me today as I celebrate God’s goodness in my friend Edith.
She first emailed me in 2009 to say, “I want to tell you how much I enjoy your blog newsletters. I have shared many of them with our two daughters.”
That email came when my blog was a baby. She was one of my first blog followers. Her name was Edith. She was from Ohio.
Edith and I continued to email from time to time during the next few months. Then something I said in one of my posts sparked an interest, and would you believe? Her husband was born in the very same town where I grew up. Wonderful thing, this internet – connecting people who otherwise would not have met.
The email she sent in June, 2010 took our relationship to a new level. I had just written a blog post about our oldest son becoming a teenager. She wrote to tell me how wonderful teenagers are. Then she went on to say:
“Count your blessings every day – treasure every moment. And I know it’s trite, but do live each moment as though it truly were the last moment you have with your loved ones. We recently unexpectedly lost our elder daughter at age 36 in a matter of just a few hours.”
This began a friendship that was absolutely God given and beautifully selected. You see, the daughter Edith had lost was just my age. And my mom. Well, my mom had been gone already for a few years.
No one takes the place of a lost loved one. But Edith and I – well, I suppose we needed each other. She continued to send me emails of encouragement every few weeks, often to let me know she was praying for me. She sent me beautiful eCards for every holiday, which she personalized.
Edith loved me. Her love blessed me in ways I cannot describe. She was on my team. She was my prayer warrior. She was my friend. I loved her so.
Edith died unexpectedly last week. When I received the email from her younger daughter, who was so kind to think of me and share the news, I fell tearfully onto Matt’s chest. Not my Edith. I need my Edith.
I am going to miss this precious lady. Edith – the lady I never met face-to-face. The lady I could count on hearing from every few weeks as she cheered me on in my parenting, my writing, and my Christian walk.
My dear readers, I share this to let you know how much you mean to me. You’re not just “some people out there who read my blog.” You are a part of my life – a God given part that I do not take for granted. I treasure you and I am thankful for you.
When her oldest daughter died in 2010, this is what Edith said to me in her email:
“We are truly at peace even in our sadness. We know she’s having the time of her life in the presence of her beloved Lord and Savior. As her sister said, ‘She beat us home.’ And in that we rejoice.”
Now I say goodbye to my dear friend Edith, using her very words.
Thank you for loving me, Edith. Thank you for allowing God to work through you to be such a blessing in my life. I miss you already. But you’re having the time of your life in the presence of your beloved Lord and Savior. You beat us home. In that, I rejoice.
Kristina says
I’m sorry for your loss, Laura.
Mimi says
Oh, I’m so sorry for your loss. I will keep you and Edith’s family in my prayers. That is such a touching way to say it… “She beat us home.” My mother “beat me home” 5 years ago unexpectedly. I was 31, she was 56. I still miss her fiercely, every single day. Thank you for sharing this story. (((big hug)))
Kate says
((((Laura and Edith))))
Kim says
I’m sorry for the loss of your friend! God Bless!!
Jill says
It sure is something, how the Internet can help foster connections that never would be possible otherwise. I have rejoiced when favorite bloggers have babies, felt sadness when they share a miscarriage story, worry when their posts stop without reason, and laugh when they write about making the same goofy mistakes I do.
What a blessing for you to have such a wonderful online friend! I’m so sorry for your loss.
You should know, too, that you aren’t just “some blogger I follow.” In an entire Internet full of scary, ugly, thoughtless, judgmental, and even illegal stuff, it is such a blessing to follow your blog which is always full of positivity, encouragement, and friendliness, and Truth. Just know you have a lot of readers holding good thoughts for you in your time of mourning.
michelle says
I am sorry for your loss, dear Laura.
Conni says
My eyes and heart are shedding tears with you, Laura. God is glorified whenever, however His people connect. Thank you for sharing with us both the joy and the pain in your life .
Kayla says
I am sorry for your loss. God does bring people into our lives when we need them. Edith is now rejoicing with the Angels. Will pray for you Laura and your sweet friend Edith’s family.
Pat says
I second Jill’s comments. I too am so sorry for your loss. I to lost my mom at a young age (31) and as the years have gone by I was also blessed with special women in my life who helped make the loneliness easier. Sadly those special women are all gone now. Hugs and blessings to you.
Donna L. Miller says
I am so sorry for your loss. What a special lady Edith was to take the time to bless you in such a way. My prayer for you is that you will find a “Laura” to become an “Edith” to, someday down the road.:)
Cathy Huggins says
I understand your loss. I will be praying God gives you the grace you need. Another food blogger I follow just lost her husband unexpectedly, (Mrs. Happy Homemaker). Not easy but knowing we will see our loved ones again soon does make it bearable.
Courtney says
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers of peace and comfort be with you today.
http://iamablessedmommy.blogspot.com/2015/07/gratituesday-kid-blitz.html
Sherri says
My prayers are with you also. I love this post…though I know your heart is hurting. It’s just a temporary absence…for an eternal life.
Wanted to let you know you are one of just a handful of bloggers I follow, since about 2009 too! I don’t consider you some far and away person either…your impact is far and wide. I found out about Azure Standard from you and have been with them from the first drop in Texas. It has truly been a life saver for those of us out in the country to have things delivered closer to us. I use many of your recipes…in fact, that’s why I dropped by today, to look one up I remembered you had from a long time ago!
Sherri says
May I also add that we have 3 sons, right in the middle of your sons ages, and when I first found you, I told them all about you…your boys, how you like to do recipe make-overs, etc. Whenever I tried one of your recipes, the boys would ask (like boys ALWAYS do), “What’s for supper?” I’d reply, “It’s one of Laura’s from Heavenly Homemakers.” That was enough said…they knew it would be good.
Kelli Green says
Thank you for sharing that sweet story! I am grateful to you for buoying me up many times throughout these last few years of difficult parenting! I so appreciate your spiritual words of comfort and your humor through the tough times as well. Through your example, you teach that it is important to have both!
Faith George says
That was beautiful and I appreciate you sharing . I know we have never met either , but God has used you over the last three years to encourage me spiritually , and physically as I have found so many yummy and healthy recipes and wonderful information on food that has changed mine and my families life. Although I’m sure sometimes they probably wish I wouldnt be so big on eating lots of fruits and vegetables , I know they are learning habits that hopefully will stick with them the rest of their lives , and you never cease to encourage me not to give up, so thank you ! Praying for you today in your loss. Praise God that as believers , death is not the end, and you will get to meet Edith one day ????????
Charlotte Moore says
That made me teary eyed. So sweet to read how you two became so close to have never met. BLESSINGS to all that mourn her loss. I love the ‘She beat us home’ too.
Allison says
So sorry for your loss Laura.
Jessica says
So amazing someone you never met loved you so much…kind of how God’s love is for us…sort of! I cried reading this even though I don’t know you or Edith! As a mom with littles, I hope I remember this daily so that I do cherish each moment and just love and live intentionally…so easy to say and so hard to do…truly don’t know what I would do without my sovereign Lord who has to remind me to be humble daily and who I can lean on!! Anywho thanks for sharing!! :-)
Jessica says
So amazing someone you never met loved you so much…kind of how God’s love is for us…sort of! I cried reading this even though I don’t know you or Edith! I truly am sorry for your loss as it is hard to find a real connectedness! :-( As a mom with littles, I hope I remember this daily so that I do cherish each moment and just love and live intentionally…so easy to say and so hard to do…truly don’t know what I would do without my sovereign Lord who has to remind me to be humble daily and who I can lean on!! Anywho thanks for sharing and so glad I found you almost a year ago to make me laugh when I didn’t feel like it!!
Jane says
I’m very sorry for your loss. Edith sounds like she was a very special lady. I’m so glad that you found each other. I will keep you and Edith’s family in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for sharing the story of your friendship with all of your readers.
Allison says
Thank you for sharing. She reminds me of people who sent an e-mail just in time or an encouraging word through a card when we were missionaries. I cherished those people so much. God truly works though his people.
Michele M. says
I rarely comment on blogs; when I do, I feel kind of weird writing personal thoughts to a “total stranger”. What a lovely reminder that we, as God’s children, are family. Just like when you meet someone for the first time and feel a connection with them. How great is our God, who provides what we need, even using something like the internet!
What a blessing to have known such an encouraging lady. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Vickie says
I am so sorry for your loss.
Brooke says
Big HUG to you Laura. So sorry for your loss. Praying for you and Edith’s family.
“What a day of rejoicing it will be. When we all see Jesus we’ll sing and shout the victory!”