My grandma went to Jesus two years ago, and I wanted to share the tribute I wrote for her celebration 730 days ago, as well as the one I wrote this week for my family.

The latter was: 

I miss Habibti Mama so much. Every day. 

Her prayers and exhortations echo in my soul every time I get into a scrape—and at most other times. 

Oh, my heart hurts. I can only imagine how my mom must be feeling. I am grateful I will get to see Mama again. 

I love you so much, my precious family.  

And I bless you all In The Precious, Mighty, Holy Name Of King Jesus, Who Defeated death, hell, and the grave, praise To Him! 

🙏♥️✝️

And the former one—which I was tempted to edit just now—was written in 2024, and is, alas, less-doctrinally-sound towards the end, but…: 

In my earliest memories, Mama Linda taught me to read Arabic, to bake bread, and to have compassion on those who didn’t have as much in their lives. 

She didn’t stop at the lessons, though, and modeled the James 1:22 instructions to be  “doers of The Word, and not just hearers.” For me, this involved my beloved grandmother bringing a young Sally along on various ministry-related events and other fun outings (like handing out bread or visiting dear congregation-members from their church).

Of all the important lessons gleaned from my precious and very-blessed time with Mama and Baba–my beloved “second parents”–I’d have to say that the most-important was definitely “Loving Jesus and Living For Him,” every moment of every day.

I wish Mama and Baba (whom I can’t write about separately, of course) could hear my thanksgiving for their great influence on my life one last time–not just because of their kind care and excellent example, or their prayers and generosity, or their unfailing emotional support, even, but because of our friendship. (The deep and intense theological discussions we had and the fervent prayers I heard since early childhood didn’t hurt, either.)

I’m just as grateful to God for giving me (and giving me to) a family swimming in such heavy generational blessings; how honoured I am to partner With The GREAT I AM and follow the trails blazed by dozens or hundreds of our family members who chose to follow Jesus–not just to the end of their days, but to the ends of the earth, as, one and all, they each answered His Call upon their lives, fulfilling the Godly Purpose that He specifically designed and built and empowered and equipped them to accomplish, By His Strength. What a genuine delight and privilege it is to belong to this “cloud of witnesses,” who write or sing or “just-plain explain” The Blessed Scriptures with others, share their testimonies, and impact countless souls, in numbers untold, For our Blessed Redeemer and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and His Glorious Kingdom. 

The Gift does, indeed, go on…even when we, ourselves, are gone. From here, anyway. Because while I can’t stop weeping up a storm and thinking of how much I miss my Mama (whose knitting kept me warm!),  I know that I know that I KNOW where she is; and while her physical presence is gone from my life, her SPIRIT has GONE on and LIVES on With The Most-High God, Whom she served so faithfully (and told others About) until the moment He Changed her address to HEAVEN…where she’s now been reunited with the love of her life (Baba) AND gotten to see What Jesus Looks Like!!

I’d like to say that my happiness for her finishing the race and getting that “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” is completely and totally outweighing the whole “I miss her so much I can’t seem to breathe very well” thing, but right now they’re about the same.

Though, when I think of all my beloved Mama did in this life to help me ensure I’d get to see her again in the next life (aka “Give your life To Jesus, repent of sin, love Him, serve Him”), it helps me to dry my tears and get out there and tell the world about Jesus and His Great Love for us…and how to spend eternity With Him–just as Mama now is… and just as I also will. 

+ Sally + 

Love you all tremendously.

Thank you for being you, and for being part of my fondest memories… and the ever-present foundation of my very mind.

In Him whom we serve,

Sally

🙏♥️✝️