Olive Shattes Homan.

Our Grandma is now with her Savior.

July 29, 1923~ June 10, 2009

In 1997, Grandpa and Grandma moved from New York City, to a nursing home not far from our family. Grandma's health was deteriorating so rapidly, Grandpa, whose own health was fading, could no longer care for her on his own. Grandpa passed away in 1999, and we wondered if Grandma might swiftly follow.

Her eyesight was gone, her body racked by diabetes, and her mind so heavily clouded by Alzheimer's that she ceased to know her children, grandchildren, and all those whom she'd once loved and cherished. Our visits went unheeded, save for the occasional days when she seemed to recognize our voices, and seem to almost remember us.

As the years passed, she seemed to sink further and further into oblivion. Sometimes she'd sing, sometimes she'd cry, but still, she never knew us.

I never had the privilege of knowing my Grandma before Alzheimer's claimed her mind. I have a few vague memories of her singing, or of sitting on her lap, but I never got to know the strong, trusting woman she was. Through the years Mom has always commented how much I look like her, and how similar my personality is to Grandma's. I treasure these comments, even though I've been unable to know her fully as my Grandma; the testimony of the life she lived speaks loudly.

Grandma loved beautiful things-- not costly and expensive things, but simple things she could share with all around her--- like the brilliant flowers she cultivated in her yard; admired by the whole neighborhood, or the delicate paintings she created and framed to share with others.

Her creativity and zest for life, the wholeheartedness she poured into every endeavour is evident in everything left behind; the recipe cards, the song books; the flawlessly designed hand-made things she sewed.

The things left behind tell a strong, touching story. The pictures tell of a wife who loved none-other than her husband; their faces as radiant and glowing during the last years together as on their wedding day. Of a Mother wrestling with her sons, of a Grandmother who would get down on the floor to play blocks with her grandchildren, and who always had room for one more on her lap.
But through it all, she lived her life for one purpose, and one purpose alone; to glorify the Father. She didn't come to know of His saving grace until later in her life, but her zeal for Him, her love for His truth shines through everything that she did in those later years.

The hand-made Salvation cards she created to pass out to anyone who would receive them, the scripture verses and prayers sprinkled through the letters and cards that she wrote.

The tokens left behind weave a strong tale of devotion, hope, and faith. Her devotion was not for the things which her eyes could see--- eyes that clouded over time until her eyesight was lost completely-- but for Him who was hidden from her sight. Her hope was not in the strength of her body- which withered away until she was too feeble to leave her bed-- but in the saving Grace of her Heavenly Father. Her faith was not in the clarity of her mind, or her mental capacity-- stricken through the years by Alzheimer's until she knew no-one-- her faith rested solely in her Lord.

She believed that only He could carry her through all the dark stormy nights; only He could sustain her through each trial in life. Grandma trusted her life completely into the hands of her Maker, confident that He would complete the good work He began in her.

And now--- He has. Grandma has passed from this earth and into the Holy presence of her King. We rejoice in knowing that she is whole, she is well, she is complete. No more pain, no more sorrow, no more suffering; no more tears!!

We Miss you. We Love you.

"The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever."

Psalms 37:18