A few years ago, my mom, who had been widowed, came to spend Christmas with my husband, Michael, my daughter, Lindsay, and me. I loved being able to spoil Mom for a change—to cook for her and take her shopping. We had a wonderful time, full of laughter and fun events. The following Christmas God blessed us with the whole family getting together at Mom’s house, but this particular year was a special season, because one of us went to Heaven.
My Aunt Margie was my favorite aunt. When I was a child, I spent one of the best summers of my life at her home in Palatine, Illinois. Years ago, this area was a child’s dream, as it was composed of many horse and pony farms. My family spent two weeks there with my Uncle Paul and my cousins, swimming in their pool, going to the zoo, museums, and even the country stores in Downers Grove where I got to taste my first sugar rock candy. Who needed summer camp when we had my Aunt Margie?
The years had passed quickly, as they always do. My aunt now resided in an assisted living facility in Sacramento. Her son—my cousin, Doug—oversaw her care. After Christmas was over, we all went up north so my mom could see her sister, Margie. They were always very close, the best of friends. Though my aunt had slowed down quite a bit, she was still lucid and full of light. Because I was fighting a cold, I dozed on the couch, but I could hear them sharing childhood memories and laughing once again. Though we didn’t speak about it, we figured it would probably be their last time together on earth.
“Remember when you threw Doris’ (their youngest sister) clothes up the attic stairs because she wouldn’t hang them up?” Aunt Margie asked..
“Yes,” Mom replied. They laughed together.
“Remember when you wrestled that boy because he called you a name?” Mom said.
Yes, I remember,” More laughter.
It went on like that all afternoon, two sisters sharing childhood memories. Later, we took Aunt Margie to her favorite Chinese restaurant. The place reminded me of that movie, A Christmas Story, where the Chinese waiters sing Jingle Bells to the family and serve them duck. But it wasn’t the food we ate that mattered the most. It was family. When we finally hugged my aunt and said good-bye, it was a bittersweet memory that is forever etched in my brain. She and my Mom held each other a long time, then Aunt Margie said, “See you on the other side.”
As we prepare to celebrate another Christmas—and the real reason we celebrate, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—I am reminded why God came to this Earth. He came to give eternal life to all who believe in Him. When my aunt said, “See you on the other side,” she meant, “see you in Heaven,” which is where she went a few months later.
As I think of this amazing gift of God’s love, I am reminded of Jesus’ promise in the gospel of John:
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And, if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself.” John 14:1-3:
I am also reminded of these verses:
“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then, the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Luke 2: 8-14
What a gift! It is one that I pray we all can unwrap as we open our hearts to Jesus. It is one which surely enables us to say: “See you on the other side.”
Have a Heavenly Christmas!
By Anne Mount
