That was Greta...

She was thrilled to have finally met someone she felt she could share her life dreams. Some had doubts about her choice but she knew what she wanted...more importantly what God had ordained for her life...that was Greta!

As the big day approached, she and Mom worked tirelessly even on a limited budget to bring her fairy tale wedding to life. She cherished her gown and said it made her feel just like a princess. The headpiece she made was so pretty. Even though she was always ready to crack a joke about her weight issue...that day...her jokes and all...she was more than beautiful from the inside out...that was Greta!

It had been a stressful week leading up to the wedding day. With brushes with the local law enforcement let's just say "not all of the soon-to-be-step-kids" had a clue how important this day was to her or their family. She took those kids on as if they had in fact been carried by her in her own womb. She really loved them and although she never once tried to replace their birth mother...she extended amazing love and more grace than many natural mothers do...that was Greta.


October 11, 2003...one last limo negotiated that long country lane off Bay Road. It delivered us to the historic North Bend Church. She walked down that aisle beaming and we all witnessed as she pledged her life and faithfulness to a man who was blessed to have met her acquaitance...for what was and would be for the one and only time in her short lifetime. It was a good thing because God knew the bigger plan. She trusted God through prayer to work out everything...that was Greta!

She enjoyed a dance with her new hubby in the Senator's pavillion. They shared wedding cake with a many on lookers and posed for the huge family portrait under a canopy of fall foliage...the beauty of this time of year was one of her favorite times of year...that was Greta!

She had humor that kept us all in stitches...I will never forget her wedding day for the one time I was blessed to be a Matron of Honor. I was happy to stand up for...as during the toast I rendered...she could make me laugh and cry at the very same time...that was Greta!

The sunset that evening was one of the most beautiful I recall in my many years of living in the sticks. Greta recognized that God painted that end of day personally for them...that was Greta!

As she entrusted little Kyle to me and she prepared to go off and enjoy her wedding night. She kissed and hugged that little guy tightly and Josh too. She was an affectionate Mom...that was Greta!

Days later she commented about life in a blended family. At times she felt as though "the appliance" was stuck on liquefy. I am sure she had all the same challenges of a first time family and then some. But she had more perserverence than Webster could define...that was Greta!

Many months later as her health deteriorated and the physical pain increased...she viewed her wedding day pics and remarked about how happy a day that was. She always was a "glass half full" kind if chick...that was Greta!

I am thinking about tomorrow being the sixth month marker of her home going...I cannot begin to fathom what it must be like to reunite with loved ones who had gone on before; much more so...how awesome to meet the Lord and thank Him for His love, grace, mercy and amazing intercession...that IS Greta!