Five Minute Friday: Goodbye

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My friend, The Gypsy Mama, holds a weekly gathering for the writer people.  We challenge ourselves to stop, drop, and write for just 5 minutes. No edits; no do-overs. Thankful for her prompt. And this week’s word?

Goodbye.

The wind whipped about the coats and hats of all standing in one little area of the cemetery.  The threat of rain hovered close by.

Time had come to end the gentle walk with her body from the funeral home to graveside, though she had ended her walk on earth days before.

My mama was the greatest Christian I ever knew, living out her faith with the boldness of a lion and gentleness of a lamb.  Looking down in the deep hole that would soon be filled with her casket drove me to a place of heart that I never wanted to go. I suppose my dream was to enter Heaven with her.  And never live on earth without her.  That seemed appropriate to my way of thinking; after all, she was not only my mama, but my best friend.

Forcefully, cancer, specifically leukemia, had etched its way into every crevice and snuffed out the vibrant life of the one I love. God wanted her with Him.  I can’t blame Him one bit.  Her testimony lives on through her children and all the lives she touched while she graced this world.

And as the graveside team politely prompted me that it was time for me to go, and them to work, I could only think as I smiled through the tears:

This is only temporary.

This is not

Goodbye.

Addendum: Mom went to Heaven almost 12 years ago. Seems like yesterday in some ways. Thank you for all the kind words of encouragement.

21 Comments

  1. Rachel! Visiting from Gypsy Mama today. So powerfully written and I am overwhelmed with emotion. Praise God for a temporary goodbye.

    1. Rachel Wojnarowski says:

      Thanks for stopping by!! And yes, Praise God for sure!

  2. Wowee girlie this is an incredible legacy to follow in the footsteps of, ” boldness of a lion and gentleness of a lamb”! Awesome. Praying my mom and I have this kind of relationship someday on earth before He calls her home.

    Side note…and it might be just me but your movable share button blocks me from reading the left most word in your post and here in the comments. Just in case it isn’t just my goofy laptop.

    1. Rachel Wojnarowski says:

      Thank you so much. And thanks for the side note. Hmmm. not sure what to do. Alignment is good on both of our computers here at home. Will have to test. Thanks for letting me know!!

  3. About 15 months ago, God used my husband to lead a young woman with leukemia to Him. Vicki accepted Jesus late on Sunday evening and died four hours later. Awful disease. I miss her, but know I will see her again soon.

    Hugs.

  4. Excuse me for a minute, I need tissues! Thanks for sharing your story girl! <3 Amy

  5. What a precious heritage! Only God’s grace is sufficient to contemplate the goodbye of death inevitable one day between me and my mama. She is my mentor and dearest confidant and life here will be the poorer for her leaving. I think that’s the point though. Goodbyes aren’t good and aren’t natural. What comfort that God will one day set all things right and our unity will never end. Thank you for sharing your story and your hope!

  6. What a moving tribute, Rachel! Your mom sounds like an incredible lady. Thanks for the blessing.

  7. Beautiful Rachel. My daddy went to walk the streets of gold with Jesus this past October. I feel your heart. I too am thankful it is only temporary. I’m thankful that while I had to say good-bye Daddy got to say hello. Hello to Jesus – cool!

  8. BEAUTIFUL!!! Thanks for sharing your mom with us. The best legacy she could leave; that her children walk with God. Not good bye, but see you later.

  9. Such comfort in that thought. Love the legacy your mama left.

  10. Thank God for that… I don’t know how I will handle that time when it comes, but I hope I will be able to smile through tears and wait to meet again.

  11. What beauty you write from. I can feel the love between you and am so very sorry for your temporary loss. I am praying you feel God closer than ever and that the layers of grief grow thinner and thinner as the time passes until you see her face to face again. Thank you for letting us journey with you in such a private experience of grief and loss.

    1. Rachel Wojnarowski says:

      Thank you for your beautiful words in return. It is a bit easier to talk openly since much time has passed since her homegoing. Blessings to you!

  12. Wow, this one really touched me. It brought me back to my dad’s burial at the cemetery. This is not goodbye….

  13. No…this is not good-bye. I cannot imagine the hurt of burying my mother. I pray God continues to comfort you with the faith you will see her again.

  14. I am so sorry for the earthly loss of your mom, and I know it still hard with these temporary good-byes. My heart goes out to you . . . I understand.

  15. What a beautiful, tender tribute to your mother’s faith, towards our gracious heavenly Father who calls us back to Himself. thank you for sharing this beautiful word.

    1. Rachel Wojnarowski says:

      Thanks Kris!

  16. “living out her faith with the boldness of a lion and gentleness of a lamb” – What a great example of living out faith you had in your mother. What a blessing. Thank you for sharing.

    1. Rachel Wojnarowski says:

      Thanks Caroline. Appreciate your encouragement!

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