The growing season has finally arrived, and I cannot stop searching for all the beauty. It seems this year, more than ever, my heart is starved for signs of life abundant.
Death has stalked me too. My oldest brother died this spring, and with that I am the sole survivor of my immediate family. Both parents and all three older brothers are in Heaven now. I can’t quite wrap my head around that one.
So I pause in my searching…
The oldest brother loved his hostas. I scan our yard for their growing tips here, rejoicing in the gift of one new “Praying Hands” cultivar given in his honor.
The middle brother loved the animals, wild and tame, both. I hear the song birds telling me the stories of his care for all the creatures.
The youngest brother was the scavenger, always calling to tell me of his latest find. “Did I ever tell you about the stand of wild asparagus down by the railroad tracks?” The wildflowers speak his name to me.
And I wonder, how is it that a little sister like me, who always felt “less than,” could be so blessed to hold all their stories?
When my oldest brother was told he had incurable pancreatic cancer, and would not last long on this earth, something miraculous happened to him. The love and peace of God overwhelmed him and bubbled out of him like a bathtub too full of “Mr. Bubbles.” (I’m telling my age now, a child of the 60s. 😂)
Every story of God’s working in his life suddenly had to be shared so the next generation would remember.
Every person that touched his life, from the nurse, to the housekeeper, to the surgeon, was now someone who needed cheering, and he called it his “ministry of jokes.” But those jokes opened yet another way for the stories of God’s love to be shared.
“Mind if I pray for you?” was his constant connection.
And I wonder, how is it that a little sister like me, who always felt so small, standing next to his 6ft frame, could be made to feel so big with that overflowing love?
I was filled with awe as I realized those three big brothers of mine, who held some very differing opinions from each other, were finally dwelling in God’s peaceful love together! I cried thinking of the joy they were sharing.
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
My parents have been in Heaven for many years now too, but recently I pulled my Mom’s old Bible off of my bookshelf and started using it in my daily reading. I did not know that less than a week after I opened those pages, my brother would begin his last few weeks on this earth. It became my daily joy to share a passage that she had highlighted. Over and over again the next chapter would contain just the verse that we each needed to hear in our daily phone chats.
Until the morning after he had stepped into Heaven, the verse almost jumped off of the page, as I knew it was meant for my encouragement this time. I had just read the note where my niece told us of how moments before my brother’s passing, he had opened wide his eyes and looked up, and smiled. I read the words in front of me with more wonder than I could express:
And I knew. Death can stalk us, but it can never win. Our Saviour has won the victory, and given us all the help we could ever need.
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
My brothers were right. These stories of life are worth giving our time to share. They are the priceless treasures that our hearts are meant to hold and to pass along. They are the gift of our Heavenly Father, meant to lift our eyes heavenward where He is pouring His love over His children.
Just like a bathtub filled too full with “Mr. Bubbles.”
Not long before my brother passed, God gave me a miracle that I never thought would happen. Into this life overcome by RA flares and constant pain, my rheumatologist approved a short burst of extra high Prednisone so that I could travel to see him. It had been 11 years since I last saw him. Both of our health concerns had limited our travels.
But oh what joy to sit next to him, and share those treasured moments together! When I returned home, this art journal-spread poured out of me, knowing he was in the hands of our Lord, the safest place to be. And I could wait for our next reunion
Jesus so loves His children, the sheep of His pasture. And He calls each one of us by name, knowing that we can’t help but run when He calls us Heavenward.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
1 John 3:1 NIV
I was so blessed to write and record a poem for my brother’s funeral. And then my nephew blessed me by creating this YouTube video to share it. I pray these words would stir your heart to look up and ask God to show you the gift of His stories in your own life.
I am linking with #RememberMeMonday, #WeekendTrafficJamReboot
BettieGsRAseasons 
Bettie, you brought me to tears. Some tears of sadness and some of joy. Your poem is beautiful. My sister Glenda passed on May 2, 2025, from pancreatic cancer. I miss her so much. My middle sister Carol, and I, love to share stories about Glenda and how much she was loved. Thinking of you and sending love and hugs and prayers.
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Oh Melissa, I am so sorry that you lost your sister to this same disease just last year! But what a comfort that we can share together in His love for them. Isn’t it so precious to share those remembrances and stories? I am so blessed you were moved here today. You are such a blessing, dear friend. ❤️❤️❤️
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God bless you. Sending love and hugs and prayers.
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Sending love and hugs and prayers for you too, Melissa. ❤️
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Oh, Bettie! I am in tears! Such a precious post. Thank you for sharing this. Love you, sweet sister, and so sorry for your loss.
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Dear Cheryl, thank you for your precious prayers and care. I appreciate you so much, and all of the ways that you point to Jesus and His great compassion. Love you also dear sister.
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Dear, sweet Bettie, what a encouraging post and a beautiful reading of your poem! My eyes filled with tears, but not just for the sadness of grief but the joy of knowing our loved ones are witth Jesus! They are home! Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Love, hugs, and blessings to you, my dear sister. xo
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Dear Gayl, your understanding means so much to me. Isn’t it such a comfort to know that while our loved ones are separated from us, they are truly HOME with Jesus, as you said? Thank you for all your prayers dear sister. Blessings and 💕
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Dearest Bettie, I remember Mr.Bubbles too, though born in the decade following yours. How sweetly you wrote about your brothers. It makes me wonder will heaven be a place where family dynamics disappear or grow deeper? May God heal your body and give you peace, sister.
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Dear Julie, I loved your pondering about the family dynamic. I can’t help but think it will grow deeper somehow, in ways we can’t fathom here, as everything will be more than we think: “no eye has seen the things that God has in store for those who love Him” … I’m reading Randy Alcorn ‘s book “Heaven” now, very slowly to take it all in. If he addresses that question, I will let you know. Thank you so much for your prayers dear friend. Blessings to you also.
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Yes! Let me know. That book sounds like a must read.
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yes Julie, I looked over his chapter titles and there is a whole section devoted to relationships in Heaven! It’s really good, and address those thoughts from a Biblical perspective . The first one being that Jesus gave the second command to love your neighbor as yourself. Love like that from the heart of God within us will not just disappear. Then he goes on from there. I do think you would like this book! Blessings to you today, dear sister
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Oh Bettie, I’m so sorry for your loss. You’ve been on my heart lately as I knew he was in hospice and I thought of how God miraculously let you see him. I love how the love and peace of God “bubbled” out of him in his last days. This tribute to him and your brothers and especially to their God is so moving. Thank you for sharing it. Love and blessings of strength and peace for each moment! 💕
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Dear Trudy, I so appreciate all your prayers and love. It means so much to me to know that you were thinking of us. And oh, what a miracle it was to be able to spend that day with him, and soak in the love of God together. I am so grateful that Jesus knows our every longing. May He bless you richly tonight, and bring ease to your health issues too. 💕❤️💕
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What made me tear up was reading of how God’s love pouring out of your big brother made you, the little sister, feel so big. Somehow that really moves my heart: the capacity of God’s love to lift up our heads to know how precious we are to Him.
It made me see why God gave you that Scripture right after your brother looked up into His face. I think He wanted to show you that not only are your brothers joined in that unity of His love in heaven, but you are too- even now – seated in the heavenly places, in that unity, together with Him and with them.
Sending love and hugs from a little camping ground, surrounded by trees and birdsong.
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Oh Anna, your thoughts have brought tears to my eyes again today. How precious to dwell in that place of looking up, and to find that I am in that place of unity too. And God’s love is so amazing, isn’t it? We can never get to the end of experiencing it afresh, always new. It is so big. I love the way that in pondering Him and His ways, He brings the questions that just increase our wonder! Thank you dear sister for sharing your heart. I pray for a blessed time out in nature now for you! 🙏❤️🙏hugs & love
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What a beautiful tribute post about your brothers. This had me teary as I read. I was so touched to hear you got to go visit with your older brother. And that poem. Sending prayers your way, and from one fibro sister to another, soft hugs too.
Visiting today from Maryleigh’s.
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Thank you so much Paula for your kindness and caring. I sure appreciate those soft hugs. It really has been all God’s grace getting through these past few months. I’m so thankful that He gives us such precious gifts in the midst of the hard! I pray blessings over you today too!! Going to visit you now at Maryleigh ‘s. ❤️
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Bettie,
I am so very sorry for your loss…your post and poem has brought me to tears…over the last 2 years, I experienced the passing of my husband, a cousin, a BIL, my last living Aunt, my best friend and my husband’s best friend and neighbor, who I found dead in his home…This weekend, another loss but not to death. Our parish priest of 4 1/2 years, the one who helped comfort and support me through all those losses, was transferred out of our parish to head the Diocese of Scranton ( in Pa.) new seminary for priests…He was also head of vocations for the last 6 years and has brought in 18 seminarians . A number we have not seen in over 5 decades…So in my heart, I know he is where he will do the most good for our diocese but I will miss him terribly…Your post touched my heart….Sending hugs and prayers to you!! Thanks for visiting!
Deb
Debbie-Dabble Blog
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Dear Debbie, I am so blessed that you were touched by God’s Holy Spirit as you read here. I am so very sorry for all the loss you have experienced. It really does change our lives. But I can see and feel God’s comfort when I read your blog about your dear family and the cozy home you have created. It all is a testament to the love you have shared with your husband and your friends. May He bless you as you bless your parish priest to step forward into God’s next call upon his life. ❤️ Thank you for visiting here!
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What an absolutely lovely tribute to your brother recently passed, and your other brothers as well. And what a special gift your poem is to us. Your nephew has blessed us all by posting it on youtube. May you continue to feel His peaceful presence and comforting hands upon you, Bettie.
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Dear Lynn, thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I have been so blessed that God gave me words to share. And it really was such a gift when my nephew created a video for those words! We were able to watch a recording of the funeral, and it brought such comfort to my heart. Thank you for your prayers of blessing. I so appreciate it. God’s blessings for you also. ❤️
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Bettie, what a beautiful tribute to your brother & brothers.
And your poem is so very moving indeed, thank you for sharing your precious times & thoughts of your big brothers with us, I was deeply moved.
May you feel God’s comfort & loving arms wrapped around you as you grieve my sweet friend.
Bless you, Jennifer
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Thank you dear Jennifer for all your kind words and support. It truly means so much to me at this time.
I am so grateful that we had such a special visit with my brother just weeks before he went to Heaven. The Lord knew how much we all needed that!
I pray that He is blessing you this week also, with all of the changes that you are going through too. Hugs and love dear friend!💕
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