Devotionals

---

(In Memory of Gertrude Morin)

While through tears of mourning,
there yet remained abundant joy
that refused to dissipate
through this dark hour.
Author- Jane Morin



In recent days my husband and I have been walking through the process of mourning. His mother, at the age of almost 86 years, passed on in peaceful slumber. The days before hand were hard days for her children, who with vigilant care tended her every need at the end of her good long life.

What I remember most about this last week is the many lives and abundant love that mother Morin bestowed upon all who knew her. Oh, I am not saying she was a perfect woman. She, like many of us, could be very opinionated and even sometimes obstinate when things are not done in the way we expect. But her joy of living never departed. Her sense of humor in those last difficult days would not fail her. To listen to the stories my husband Gaetan and his family told of her brought abundant joy in the midst of such a great loss.

As people entered the two different services in celebration of the life of mother Morin, the laughter and joy could not be snuffed out. This family though heavy in heart, was able to still rejoice in the many wonderful moments that their mother had given them. I can say, I have never attended such a joyful celebration. She would have been so pleased to know that her family remembered her with tear filled eyes of joy and deep gratitude for the legacy she left behind.

My husband Gaetan preached both the services for his mother’s funeral. Though I know it was very difficult, the Lord allowed him to display the same sense of humor that permeated the life of mother Morin. As I sat listening to Gaetan I thought of the following scripture.

…..” For I will turn their mourning into joy and will comfort them and make them rejoice after their sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:13

Oh how faithful God is to His Word. While through tears of mourning, there yet remained abundant joy that refused to dissipate through this dark hour. Acquaintances left those services commenting on how they felt like part of the family. As always, these kinds of moments strengthen the family as they gather together in unity to show honor and respect to a beloved family member.

As my eyes perused through the chapel I could see Jenna, the youngest of the Morin family in great delightful laughter as she played with her mother and Grandpa Gaetan. I found a family member reflecting on a kind act that mother Morin had done towards him before he was a part of the family. I heard her siblings say with great pride, “Now, let’s enjoy each others company as mom would have expected.” Oh how this family enjoys the sweet moments of togetherness. They all merited it to the fact of how much mother Morin enjoyed the family. When she spoke to you, she made you feel like you were the only one in the entire room of people. As any mother, she was capable of displaying great pride in each individual achievement any of her children and grandchildren accomplished. I was the recipient of her lavish pride more than once in the five years that I have known her.

When all is done, and this life fades into eternity, I pray that such a legacy may follow me. I pray that lives touched, and joy dispersed would be remembered. A kind act and thoughtful word would be recounted. A gentle answer and a peaceful spirit would be reflected as the way of my life. All these things and more were what mother Morin was remembered for. What kind of legacy will you leave behind? Mother Morin left us remembering this one thing – “The joy of the Lord is my strength!”

Copyright 2004 Jane E Morin
http://besidestillwater.faithweb.com
email: [email protected]

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE