Category Archives: Relationships

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Saying Goodbye has Its Own Sweetness

Sorry for my long absence here. Getting back on track after my mother’s passing has taken me a couple of weeks. The effort it takes to get in gear is in three areas: Physical, emotional, and spiritual. Demands in one area take away from responsibilities in another area. How to balance these takes some adjusting and doing. My writing has taken a back seat.

FRIENDS:  My friends help out. I share with them my vulnerable side, and they share their vulnerable side with me. I haven’t always liked or risked being as open with people as I am now. The book Safe People opened my understanding on how to be genuine in relationships. I must trust my good and my frustrating sides and my stories with them. Each friend contributes something special to my life. They are helping me climb out of the fog I’ve been in for a couple of years now.

Thank you to my friends for being there for me.

FAMILY:  Family is a rich part of my life. The past couple of months weren’t the easiest for us, but they were special. My siblings and I honored Mom by remembering her through a beautiful memorial service and a lovely graveside service. My sisters and I sang a trio, each of us siblings gave a tribute, my brother officiated, and others also participated. Thank you to my parents’ grandchildren. They all made the extra effort to come from Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Washington, Virginia, Alabama, Florida, and California to pay tribute to their grandmother. Their presence meant a lot to their parents, aunts and uncles and Grandpa. Thank you. I love you.

Saying goodbye tugs on the heart strings.

CHURCH:  My parents’ church was kind to us. We held Mother’s service in the church sanctuary and the church provided a reception afterwards. They prepared food and a spacious room with tablecloths and decorations, making it lovely and nice. They were willing and accommodating, which made it smooth and comfortable for all who came. We enjoyed visiting with family and friends, some we hadn’t seen in years. Thank you to the Evangelical Free Church of Chico.

We were blessed by your kindness.

GRIEF:  Grieving is a process. I am moving in slow motion these days. Today I wrote several thank-you’s to people who helped with the services and others who brought gifts of flowers and plants. Thoughtfulness is a wonderful way to communicate love and caring. One friend baked cookies and a cake and brought them to my dad’s house. Neighbors showed up and spoke with my Dad to express their sympathy.

That was wonderful of them.

Mother’s journey has ended. She has finished the course, and she finished it well. I am thankful for those who prayed for us. You are dear to our family. Those who specifically prayed for me, thank you, I needed it. There were times I was overwhelmed. It is always a comfort to know people are praying, and I mean that.

Saying goodbye.

God bless you and your families.

Finish well.

Norma

P.S.  My mother was a godly woman. She was faithful in everything she did; faithful to her husband, children, church, and in using her talents and abilities to bless others. Most importantly, she was faithful to God. Her legacy is rich. She made her life count. My dear sweet mother will always be missed. Dear Mother, as you look down from heaven, from my heart to yours, I love you.

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She Transitioned to Glory

My mother has passed on. We are in that meantime between her home-going and services and burial. This is an adjustment time for me and my family. My mother lived a good life. We are thinking about all she gave and the preciousness of her life. Just days ago as I held her hand, I felt eternity drawing close. Tears flowed as I spoke to her of a heaven to be gained, Jesus, and family members waiting on the other side of the veil.

My mother loved well. She had a sweetness that touched others with its graces. God was with her as He welcomed her into His presence. Peace filled her room. Having a life hid in the Savior makes such a difference. Thankful am I.

Dear sweet Mama, I’m going to miss you. Life is emptier without you. You were a blessing to me. I’m glad your new journey has begun. It must be amazing. Love you forever, love you for always.

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This is the long form obituary that is posted online at the funeral home. A condensed version will be in Sunday’s newspaper. Informational segments are excluded from this post.

EVELYN FAITH BRUMBAUGH

Evelyn Faith Brumbaugh, 85, passed away in her home at WestHaven in Orland, California on Sunday, August 19, 2018. Evelyn was born to Frank and Faith Weigold on September 6, 1932 in Phoenix, Arizona. She was the oldest of three children. Her family moved to Glendora, California in 1938.

Evelyn started taking violin lessons at age six, which continued throughout her school years. She played the clarinet and participated in the Glendora High School Marching Band, even marching in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day.

In later years Evelyn played violin in the North State Symphony and then the Paradise Symphony Orchestra. She played violin in her church symphony, in a string quartet, and for special events. Evelyn enjoyed singing with family, in church, for special music, and in formal choirs. Her love for music was passed on to her children through vocal and instrumental music.

In high school Evelyn played on the school’s tennis team. For employment, she painted flannelgraph backgrounds for bible stories for the Story-O-Graph Company in Pasadena. Sewing was a hobby of hers. She became a skilled seamstress while in her teens. During her children’s growing up years, she sewed their clothes and various items such as Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and sock monkeys.

Evelyn met her husband at a church function for young adults in Glendora, California. They became engaged during her senior year of high school. The couple married the following summer on July 27, 1951. They lived in Glendora then Chino in Southern California. In 1963 they moved to the Durham-Dayton area in Northern California, later to north Chico, and then to Capay in 1999. They farmed row crops, almonds, and walnuts in Chico, Orland, and Capay.

Art work and handwork displayed Evelyn’s creative bent. She took classes at Butte Community College in areas of interest, which included woodworking, painting, computer literacy and writing. She excelled in oil painting of roses, outdoor scenes, landscapes, and ocean views. Sewing, crocheting, knitting, tole painting, embroidery, and cross stitch were some of her favorite handcrafts. She created beauty in all she did.

Serving in church was a delight to Evelyn. She stepped in whenever there was a need—teaching Children’s Church or teens in Sunday School; helping in the Women’s Missionary Society or participating in women’s bible studies—they all were important to her.

Raising her family of five children was her life’s joy. From vegetable gardening and canning produce to sewing clothing to making home-cooked meals, her children and grandchildren were blessed indeed. Music was one of Evelyn’s talents and priorities. She made sure her children practiced their music lessons twice daily. Evelyn truly loved having her family around her and doing things for them.

Evelyn will be remembered for her smile and gracious ways, her kindness and goodness, her faithfulness and integrity, and for the way she lived out her faith, with love and belief in Christ and His word.

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I didn’t know a week ago when I wrote about my mother here and earlier on my Meridian Woman blog here that I would be writing her obituary this week. I knew her time was coming to a close. As much as you think you are ready, you really aren’t. You don’t want to say goodbye.

It’s a joy to know that my mother is now completely whole, at peace, and happy. After Mom passed, when my daughter told my grandchildren about Great-Grandma, my young grandson said, “Right now she’s the happiest she’s ever been!” How precious.

*Photo is of my parents, daughter, grandchildren, and me.