continuation of tribute from below, by Brenda, her sister
, and still traveled in to help as much as she could.
I could not have managed without Martha in my life. She always looked out for me. So, you see, I was the older sister, but Martha was the big sister. She was my counsel, my sounding board, and she took care of me even though we always lived so far apart. She was my best friend! We enjoyed getting together, and I will cherish those memories forever. I want your spirit to know, Martha, at this time that I will try to take the lessons you set forth in life. I will never be able to measure up to you, but you have shown me the way. Thank you for your everlasting love.
Martha loved everyone as well. The verse from Mark 12:31 “Love they neighbor as thyself,” was one Martha obeyed all her life. She was unselfish, and she always put her family and friends first. Her love did not stop there, the verse from Proverbs 12:10 is one that tells us to not treat animals unkindly. Martha loved every creature God created. Her picture files are full of the deer in her back yard, her pets, and other animals. Her last pet, Mikey, loved her with unconditional love. Even the animals felt her caring and loving nature. Martha enjoyed photography, and her files are full of master piece artistries of our Heavenly Father such as the colorful sunrises and sunsets, blue water, beautiful flowers she grew and others she admired, and the list goes on. Martha enjoyed keeping her yard a show piece and her green thumb was amazing. Her flowers were breath-taking.
Martha was courageous these last five months. Never did she complain. I wanted her to complain to me this summer when I was with her because I was concerned that she was carrying a heavy burden. It was during this last hospital stay when I was with her that I came to realize she knew this was God’s will. She never tried to bargain with Him, she only accepted Him. Because of the comfort He gave her, she had no reason to complain; she was at peace with the outcome she knew from June.
As ill as she was during her last ten days, she still had a sense of humor. One was when a couple of people discussing the timing of her services hours before she passed, when out of the blue she chimed in “the time will be when I was gone.”. That was simple enough for her. In her mind there was nothing to be worried about. Four days before she passed away and her life had extended past Hospice’s time line, her eyes were closed, and she was motionless. I thought she was experiencing some of Heaven. I asked her, “What do you see?” She faintly replied, “Mother.” I asked how did she look, and she said, “Happy.” I asked what else did she see, and she said, “Angels.” I knew she had to have one foot in Heaven at that moment. I asked what were they wearing and she said pink. I sat there really confused, and then she whispered to me, “Brenda, I will be here tomorrow.” She shared her life with me for two and a half more days. Martha departed this world in peace and with happiness. I will always cherish that memory. Martha loved God and she loved life, and she was in acceptance with God’s plan. I want to share a closing prayer that I know she believed in called the “Serenity Prayer.” The words should help each of us as we continue with trials and tribulations in life. It is:
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.
Amen.
