Her Last Wish

A Final Tribute

Written and Spoken by Amanda Schoap on behalf of the Jewett grandchildren at the Celebration of Life service for Shirley Jewett on April 1, 2015.

"In preparing for this moment, I have felt a bit overwhelmed with being given only five minutes to express what our grandma's lifetime of care, service, and love has meant to me and to all of her grandchildren.

In speaking for all of the Jewett grandchildren, I venture to say that we have never known a more gentle love than that of our grandma.

A month ago when we were here for Grandpa's sudden homegoing, I had the distinct privilege of having many sweet conversations with grandma while caring for her at her bedside. As I look back, these conversations at the very end of her days--in her most distressing physical state--perhaps at a time when depression could be overwhelming--she displayed her heart--her personality--her spirit.

At her bedside, I told her that Barbara and Amanda were there to care for her and that we would meet any need that she had. She responded with, 'I know. You girls better go rest a while.' She was always concerned about getting enough rest--not only for herself but for those around her. Of the many skills that she taught me, napping is easily my favorite. :)

At that same bedside, she heard the kids in the living room and asked me, 'Is Dad awake yet? He will want to play with the kids. Can you ask him to cook dinner for everyone? I just don't think I can do it.' Her instinct--a way that she showed her love--was to provide a neat home for people to gather, a warm meal to satiate the soul, and an atmosphere of grace prevailing.

The Wednesday before grandpa's service in Morristown, grandma was very alert and very aware. I am confident that this was the first time that she truly understood that grandpa wasn't there to play with the kids and that he couldn't prepare dinner for everyone like he had so many times. She asked me for details--how it happened, where it happened, when it happened. She understood. I wiped a couple of tears from her cheeks and she drifted back to sleep--too exhausted from the fight to live to express real emotion. Through my own tears, I whispered, 'I'm just going to miss him so much. I already do and the hurt is overwhelming.' She whispered back, 'We will see him again in Heaven. He was ready. We both have been ready.'

I thought that I was there to serve and encourage her in any way that I could. She ended up comforting me more than I ever dreamed was possible. Comfort was her gift. Gentleness was her way. Tenderness was her heart. Service was her love.



What is most important to understand is the why of her life. Why did she love so deeply? Why did she care so tenderly? Why was she so self-sacrificial in her service?

The answer is found in her number one concern for her family--one of her very last requests--and the rock upon which her entire life was built and sustained. That answer is Jesus.

She recently asked all of her family members to send her written accounts of our own testimonies. She wanted to know, without a doubt, that a Jewett family reunion would take place in Heaven. Her faith was unwavering--steadfast.

When my little family visited grandma and grandpa in November, I turned my camera on 'record' and just let it run. She and I were sitting and chatting--nothing special. Unprompted, she started telling me what she thought and felt about the things that she sees going on in the world today, and how those things so closely align with what she reads in the Scriptures concerning the end of the Earth's time.

When I think about what all an 85-year-old has seen in her lifetime, I am intrigued and overwhelmed. The changes in technology, the changes in society, the changes in lifestyles--it amazes me. As I was listening to her talk on that chilly November day, I realized that she is right. I have never been one to be afraid of what is happening with the world. I always thought, 'No man knows the hour or the day--so why should I spend my time being afraid?' However, I also read in the Scriptures that 'He who walks with wise men will be wise.' In our grandma's wisdom of 85 years, she saw the very signs in front of her eyes that she has read about for so long in the Scriptures. That is nothing to be ignored or brushed off. Because of this, her heart was burdened for souls. And most especially the souls of her family--the loves of her life.

What she would want us most to dwell on here today is to make sure that we are all ready--that we will all see her again.

Her wish would be for us to understand that we don't come to Christ purely out of fear for the end times that, I believe we are now living in. But rather we come to Him because of His great love--because He loves us so much. We come to Him because He desires that we know Him and live alongside Him.

She wants us to know Jesus because no man comes to the Father but through Him. She wants us to know that we have value. We have worth. And we can have life and life more abundantly with Him.

I can confidently testify that for Grandma--for Grandpa--and for myself--that even through these heart-wrenching times that we left behind face in our loss, the physical suffering and emotional turmoil that our beloved grandparents faced recently--life never had been and never has been sweeter. Life has never been richer. Life has never been more fulfilling than a life walked hand in hand with Jesus. Even in the midst of pain, we can say, 'Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.'

What better way to close than with Grandma's own words. I found a note last night in Grandpa's office. It is a letter written by Grandma--her own words. These, I believe, are fitting last words to all of us, both family and friends. Written in her own handwriting and constructed from deep within her heart: