Practicing faith prepares you for your eternal home

In my senior year of college, I signed up for a course titled “Death and Dying.” You see, I have always been terrified about the idea of people I love dying, and I was hoping this would help rid me of my fears.

While the class was informative, it did not do what I had hoped. Don’t get me wrong, my faith in eternal life is pretty solid, but it is the idea of not having certain people here on earth with me that I find most difficult.

Fast forward 20 years, and I find myself writing this blog at the bedside of my dying grandmother. I can tell you no class will ever rid my fears of death, but instead, the example of this woman has done that for me and so many in my family.

My grandmother, Marie Guidry (my Nana), was widowed at the age of 51 with five children. Never once have I heard her complain about that or express self-pity. Instead, she has relied on her faith and made raising her family her most important vocation.

She has always been so intentional in finding out how you were and what you have been up to. When you would talk to her on the phone or come to visit, after asking about you, she would fill you in about everyone else. She has a gift for being incredibly honest, but in a way that you never felt offended, because you respected her and knew her intentions were pure. If you ever wanted the truth, you would call Nana.

As a family, we have spent the last week together, praying and being present at my grandmother’s house. We have witnessed her saying goodbye to family and friends. She made sure to tell them all thank you and to behave. She even had us call neighbors to thank them for bringing in her trash cans and newspaper.   

As she grows weaker, she still asks if there are enough plates for everyone and clean pillow cases for those who are spending the night. The concern and gratitude she shows, even in her last days here on earth, has me in awe.

What I have come to remember this week is that this is not our home, but our chance to prepare for our eternal home. In a time where it should have been all about her, she made it all about us.

My grandmother said in her weak breathy voice, “I had a good ride” and “I’m so happy.” How can someone facing death utter these phrases with such conviction and joy? It is because her faith, her family and selflessly caring for others have always been her top priorities!

Through this last part of her journey, as throughout her life, she has brought our family together and shown us how we are supposed to be living and for whom we are supposed to be living.

Her life, without a doubt, is in line with 1 Timothy 6:12: “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.”

I love her plenty, plenty (as she would say) for who she is, and who she inspires me to be. We know that when she has finally finished this earthly journey, she will truly come home and she has already told us all, “I’ll see you in paradise.”

Michelle Macicek is a wife and mother of six children. She loves musical theater and Catholic education and is currently working part-time as director of marriage and family life at St. Catherine of Siena, a teacher and previously the CRE. She has a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother and daily desires the courage to imitate her “yes to God’s call for me and my family. My own fiat.”