Myrna and Grandpop

This morning in church, there were a few songs that reminded me of doing music at church with Myrna. Myrna was the music director that the church I went to in Boulder. She was a really special person to me and she passed away this year on January 1st. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the two of us together, but I do have this picture of her and her mom Hazel at my graduation party.

Hazel, Myrna, Judy, Colleen, and my grandmom

What a bunch of great women in that picture! Like Colleen said to me, "I'm sure she has a place leading the angel choir now!"Rest in Peace, Myrna! You are missed!

One of my favorite songs, recorded by the Blind Boys of Alabama, "I Shall Not Walk Alone." Here is a link to listen to it on YouTube. I left out some of the lyrics for brevity.

Battered and torn

Still I can see the light

Tattered and worn

But i must kneel to fight

....

When my legs no longer carry

And the warm wind chills my bones

I reach for mother Mary

And I shall not walk alone

....

When I'm tired and weary

And a long way from home

I reach for mother Mary

And I shall not walk alone

The song reminds me of Myrna and also of my Grandpop Jubb who died last October. Both of them were suffering so much. My grandpop had a near death experience in the hospital a few months before he actually died. When I visited him a few weeks before his death, he told me until then he never knew it would be so easy and peaceful to die, and that he wasn't afraid at all. Although I hadn't been in touch with Myrna for a few months prior to her death, I am sure that she felt the same way. In fact, Grandpop was very ready and would say to me, "I don't know why it is taking so long." Here is a picture of me with him on my last visit. We would take turns being with him in his room.  He would wake up from his sleep once in a while to chat for a few minutes, and then he would go back to sleep. He was so tired. I feel very luck to have been able to spend that time with him.

On another note, it's going to hit 100 degrees today in Kansas City so I think I'll be staying inside the rest of the day!