June 3rd is the one-year anniversary of the death of my grandmother, Margaret. We called her "Bonmom," which sounds a little like "bonne" mom; "good" mom. And she certainly was that. She religiously hosted Sunday dinners at her home in the Highlands, even after she could no longer eat regular food. She loved her family (yes, all blue million of us), watching tennis and basketball (she always filled out her brackets), Food Network, and God.
After she died, we found passages she marked in her Bible. Three were read at her funeral, and they epitomized the way Bonmom lived:
Wisdom 3: 1-3: "But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace."Bonmom was someone who walked the walk. By example, she showed everyone around her how to love and forgive. She didn't preach or complain. She simply took these verses to heart, and daily found ways to live in understanding and forgiveness.
Romans 12: 17-21: "Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, 'Vengence is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' Rather, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink...' Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good."
Luke 6: 35-38: "But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back...Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you...For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."
I truly think she was happy and content with the choices she made. And what better way is there to live than a peaceful life without regret?
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