• An Angel Goes Home

    January 3, 2009 - Comments (9)

                Luella
    Jane West was an angel.  Oh, not
    the invisible, up in heaven, strumming a harp kind of angel.  She was one of those angels you see
    down here.  You know the kind, one
    of those everyday angels in street clothes.  Oh, they may look just like you and me, skin and bones,
    shoes and hair. But there’s just something about them, the way they live, the
    love they show, that makes you certain they are hiding a pair of wings
    underneath that winter coat. 
    That’s what kind of angel Luella was. 

                She
    was a mother of ten.  That is not a
    typing error.  She brought ten
    children into this world.  Nine of
    them were boys, only one girl. 
    That also is not a typing error. 
    She and her husband raised all ten in a small house in Mason City,
    Iowa.  She lost one son in Vietnam,
    and buried another son last year. 
    One of the nine boys she raised became my dad.  She outlived her husband by over twenty years.  She outlived her own diagnosis from the
    doctors about nine years ago after suffering a stroke and a heart attack.  She wasn’t done yet.  And an angel doesn’t leave until she’s
    good and ready.

                She
    must have been ready today, because my grandmother, Luella Jane West passed
    away New Year’s Day, 2009.  She’s
    in heaven now, the only place truly fit for an angel.  She’s with her husband who she outlived.  She’s with her son, Jim, who she had to
    bury too soon.  After 89 years, her
    journey has ended, and she’s finally home.

                And
    it is with a heavy heart that I write these words to today.  You see, I should have written that
    letter.  Which letter?  The one I started writing a few months
    ago.  It had been on my mind to
    send my grandmother a letter and tell her how thankful I am for her example,
    and for her love.  I never finished
    that letter, and now I regret it.  

                So,
    I hope to encourage you with this thought at the beginning of this a new year:

     

    Write that letter.

    Make that call.

    Say you’re sorry.

    Love your enemy.

    Be about a cause bigger than yourself.

    Give.

    Have No Regrets

    Don’t go through the motions. 

    Do these things, and you just might make people wonder if
    you’ve got a pair of wings hiding under your coat.

     

    Have a blessed new year,

     

    MW

    Matthew West POSTED BY:
    Matthew West

    • 9 comments

    1. 1. Wifey commented:

      Sat 3/1/09, 11:23 pm

      I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your Grandmother. Your words in this post were beautiful and very real, thank you for sharing, I can only imagine how heavy your heart is at this moment and how hard that was to write. Your actions and your life were your words to your Grandmother to show her how you cared, don’t live in regret.
      I too started a random letter that I felt compelled to write for my Grandfather and he passed away before I finished. I was devestated and felt the same regret but I decided not to let it hold me back. I finished the letter, even added more that I hadn’t planned on saying and I placed the letter in his casket. Although I wish that I could have had the letter for him when he was still here I was still joyous to know that he was in heaven with God and all the other amazing family members that we have lost and that he was finally pain free.
      Again, I am sorry for your loss, thank you for your words. I will keep you and your family in my prayers during this difficult time of loss. Thank you for your encouragement.

    2. 2. MN Hoagies commented:

      Mon 5/1/09, 5:34 am

      Sorry to hear about your grandmother. She must have been quite a lady. Thanks for the inspiring post.
      from
      KTIS reunion family..there’s not a lot that rhymes with our name. :)

    3. 3. Ivanilson Ribeiro commented:

      Thu 8/1/09, 11:58 am

      God received a angel returning!!! She’s called Luella!
      God Bless you
      In Name Of Jesus!
      From Ivanilson
      Brazil

    4. 4. Jenna Miller commented:

      Thu 8/1/09, 1:42 pm

      Matthew West, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your grandmother. When I first read your blog, I saw Luella and thought “Lulu”, but then realized it was her namesake. Every time one of my grandparents died, I remember people telling me “Well, at least he/she had a good long life.” I think that is baloney, because no matter if they live to be 128 years old, it’s still your grandparent and you’re still going to miss them. My 4th class will add you to our prayer list. Speaking of my 4th grade class (nice segue, huh?) what happened after Merced? I never told my class you were going to call, thought I would keep it a surprise, and then . . . .you surprised me. I know you are super busy, and if you can’t that is fine…but I did notice on your blog that you were encouraging others to “make that call” so i am hoping you might do the same.
      Because of Christ,
      Jenna Miller
      PS- I can’t say tell my class “I’ve got something to say” anymore without hearing the chorus to your song sung back to me. Also, your CD was on everybody’s Christmas list!
      PPS- Happy New Year

    5. 5. Amy Black commented:

      Fri 9/1/09, 10:27 pm

      My condolensces to you and your family. Grandmothers are precious beings, and it sounds like yours was especially so. Thank you for a heart-felt message for the new year…not going through the motions :-)
      Amy Black

    6. 6. Kelly Billhime commented:

      Sat 10/1/09, 7:39 pm

      I just came across your blog tonight. I love your music and so do my kids. It is one of the few CD’s they will listen to in the car other than our Disney tunes. I am so sorry to hear about your Grandmother. Sounds like she sure was a special lady. Your family will be in our prayers. Your music is a blessing! Keep it up!
      http://thebillhimeclan.blogspot.com/

    7. 7. Emily commented:

      Mon 12/1/09, 9:13 am

      Sorry to hear about your grandma. Praying for you and your family. -Emily:)

    8. 8. Leslie Burries commented:

      Fri 23/1/09, 1:34 pm

      Matthew, I am SO sorry to hear about your grandmother! I know how truly special she was to you, and always will be…I really understand your feelings about that letter, if I can only encourage you to not feel guilty, she knew exactly how much you loved her and what she meant to you, and if I know you well enough, I am guessing she knew all you wanted to say in that letter! But I do have to say all that you said about what we do is very important, and it is so needed…many people put off for tomorrow what they really should do today and it can mess with you for life…Thanks!
      Love you all…p.s. did you all have that second sweetheart yet?

    9. 9. Cathy Jackson commented:

      Mon 16/2/09, 7:36 pm

      Matthew,
      Just read your blog. So sorry to hear of your loss. You will be in my prayers that our Lord will give you a peace that exceeds our earthly understanding.
      Please send my sympathies to your brothers and your Mom and Dad too.

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