Sweet Caroline

G'ma Caroline Moser

June 29, 1929--February 21, 2010

Blueberry muffins on her hospital bed

A picnic made for three

G'ma Caroline and I stole bites

Of this delicious Costco delicacy

Between handing "More, peez" bites to Gracie.

If I'd known this would've been the last time we'd be together,

I wouldn't have left.

But now, amongst many other memory connectors,

G'ma will be on my mind every time I get blueberry muffins at Costco.

It's been 3 weeks since G'ma has passed and I haven't posted because I have been unable to capture how special she was to us. After a rough year filled with doctor appointments she spent her last 5 weeks in the hospital and nursing home here in Spokane. And though her body was failing her, the last few weeks of her life she spent with great purpose--making special time with each of us, praying with roommates and guests coming to visit her, and sharing her heart with us during this part of her journey.

We were able to spend five days with family over the week of the funeral. It was so comforting just to be around other people who loved her as much as we do. My sister wrote the most beautiful eulogy, by my grandma's request, and I've included part of it below, as it so greatly captured Grandma Caroline's life.

Eulogy Excerpt:

"...Over the past few months, Grandma’s body began to fail her. It was tired and Grandma knew it. She knew God would be calling her home and yet, she orchestrated special moments with each of her kids and her grandchildren. Even from her hospital bed, she was thinking of others' pain and sorrow. She did her best to help US cope with the thought of going on without her. She talked openly of dying and meeting Jesus. She talked of her fears of leaving us behind, and her excitement to meet God. She made me promise that when I gave her eulogy that I wouldn’t idolize her by listing everything good that she had ever done…she said that the people who really mattered, were the people who already knew her. They knew her accomplishments, they knew her sorrows, and they knew her heart. So this is her personalized message to you:

Dearest family, neighbors, parishioners, Community members, and friends,

I want you to know that I have enjoyed every moment I have spent with you over the years. I so enjoyed getting to know you and love you. Each of you brought something very special to my life, and each of you has a very special place in my heart.

If I can leave you with anything it is this…when our daughter Pam died, our family was devastated. I didn’t know how I could go on, and a very dear friend invited me to a Bible Study. I found the comfort and peace I was searching for through Jesus. Accepting Christ as my Savior changed my life. My hope for each of you is that you will invite Jesus into your heart, make Him Master of your life, and Savior of your soul.

May God bless you and your families,

With all my Love…Caroline

Radiant…beaming, bright, brilliant. Although I shed tears of sadness because I already miss my Grandma, I can’t help but remember how tired and weak she was…she was ready physically, mentally, and spiritually to meet Jesus. And while I remember how frail she looked the past few months I can only imagine how she transformed when she saw God. I don’t know if she dropped to her knees, stood in awe, or became engulfed in his arms. But, I CAN tell you, she is absolutely RADIANT." --Katie Morrow