In Memory of Grandma Flin

On Sunday, January 12, 2014

Ruth Ann Flin went home to be with her Savior.

She had been in and out of the hospital or rehab facilities for the past month and a half and when she wasn't there it seemed like she was going to the doctor for a new health issue. 

On Saturday, January 11, we heard that Grandma was going back to the hospital because she had a broken foot, then Sunday after church, we got word that she was actively dying.

She was weak and brittle and the Lord said it was time to come home to be made new.

Grandma and Grandpa lived in Kansas for the longest time. My dad grew up in Kansas on a farm and it was just about a year or less before I moved to ND that they moved to Mesa, AZ to live in a better climate for Grandma and a bonus, to be closer to their Son and daughter-in-law.

I am thankful my parents were able to be there with my Grandpa (Earl) as she passed…and can continue to be there for him.

December 2012

My cousin, Anna, described Grandma perfectly, "she modeled patience, graciousness and a peaceful spirit during all the years that I knew her."

She suffered much physically for many years and was long suffering through it all. Hardly would you hear her complain about her state, or seek any sympathy or think she deserved better. She accepted her lot in life and praised God through whatever might come her way.

Growing up, we went to Kansas once a year it seemed and Grandma and Grandpa would come out to Arizona just as often. 

We have many home videos of us on the farm or at home on Grandma's lap reading books. There was no doubt she loved the time she got to spend with her grandkids.

And that held true with her Great Grandchildren.

This picture was the first time Grandma and Ryken got to meet. 

She would have sat with him on her lap all day, if only he would let her. But a few snuggles is all she got from one active little boy.

 December 2012

This year when we were in Arizona over Thanksgiving, Grandma made the most of her time once again.

A year later and Ryken even more active, she gave it her all to have some intentional time with the Grandkids. 

November 2013

We were thankful that Grandma and Grandpa were able to come over and enjoy a Thanksgiving meal all together.

 November 2013

On Thanksgiving Day, Grandma was in the hospital, as she had surgery earlier in the week. This was the last time the Brucks saw Grandma.

Many memories remain of Grandma.

For as long as I can remember, every time she came out to visit us in Arizona, she would always have with her a little notebook that she wrote in every day at the kitchen table. She recorded what happened on the trip. Not sure if each book was kept over the years, but I can imagine there is a big box full if she had. What a fun trip down memory lane would that be reading what she wrote in those travel notebooks year after year. 

"Oh My Stars" - those were Grandma's famous words. :) Whether is was meant for something exciting or a hard to believe moment, she would say that phrase from her heart, whole heartedly. 

Whenever Grandma was around when my sister or I would clean our ears out and we would cough afterwards, she always reminded us that we probably have put the Q-tip in to far. To this day, if I cough, her words and face come to mind. 

Something I didn't appreciate till later in life was their example of marriage. When we saw them in November, they had just celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary and what a love they displayed for one another. What an example of a team, of patience and of sacrificial love they exemplified. 

One of many examples is, for many years, Grandma couldn't do everyday things due to shoulder or back issues, but Grandpa learned and stepped in to help. When they would visit, each morning Grandma would be in the bathroom getting ready for the day, doing what she could do herself, and then you would hear "Earl" and grandpa would faithfully get up and go help his beloved wife the rest of the way. Much patience was learned as Grandpa learned how to comb Grandma's hair to her expectation and then spray it with hairspray. I don't know if Grandpa ever got Grandma in the eyes with the hairspray, but Grandma was patient with Grandpa as he learned. 

I am thankful for the example their kids and grandkids could witness. It was a beautiful.

And lastly, Grandma was affectionate. For as long as I can remember, Grandma gave us a hug and kiss on the cheek before we went to bed or when we had to say goodbye. Pretty sure she never missed an opportunity. You could tell those moments were important to her. As we got older and she became less flexible, hugs and kisses became harder for her, but she gave them and received them with perseverance. Her hearing aids would screech in her ears as she hugged and kissed us, and pain was not far as she wrapped her arms around us, but that never stopped her. We never questioned her love.

I am sad that our daughter (and any other grandkids on the Flin side) will not get to meet her Great Grandma Flin, but we couldn't rejoice more that she is free of pain and in the presence of her Heavenly Father. 

You will be missed Grandma and Great Grandma Flin.

You loved greatly, and you were loved greatly.