At about 8:25am today, this sweet girl’s body was carried across the finish line by her Savior as her husband Gary and I held her hands. Mitzi will always be the bravest, strongest person I’ve ever known. It was more heartbreaking than I can describe watching her take her last breaths here on earth, but she knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that there would not be even a moment of time or space between that last hard one here and her first one in Heaven. She is now fully restored to a whole and perfect body and mind. Our tears are eclipsed by the knowledge of how thrilled she is to get started on that long, joyful Hug Parade that’s been waiting for the queen’s true homecoming.
After the fanfare has died down a little, I like to think she’ll be led to a small movie theatre with just 3 seats. One for her Father, and one for His Son. And they will watch the movie of her life together. They’ll even have some Reese’s Pieces or M&M’s waiting for her to snack on while she watches. Through laughter and tears, everything will make sense to her somehow; all of the sorrow of this journey will be redeemed because her Father is a loving God who redeems even the most broken of heartaches. She knew that truth without question, even if many of us couldn’t grasp a faith of that magnitude.
At the end of the movie of her life, her Father will pat her sweet hand and tell her the words she has worked for and waited to hear: “Well done, Mitzi, my good and faithful servant…” Words mattered so much to Mitzi, especially the positive ones. I think the essence of that is shown in why she was everyone’s cheerleader. She has been waiting a long time to hear those words. I have a hunch she’ll even ask Him to repeat them. And He will be glad to…????
*The celebration of Mitzi’s life will be held at CrossRoad Church (10005 Gate Parkway N; Jacksonville, FL) on Monday, September 30, 2019 at 4PM. All are welcome to attend. Perhaps even wear purple, if you’re so inclined. Mitzi would love that. In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation in Mitzi’s honor to her team or sign up to participate in Jacksonville’s Walk To End Alzheimer’s on November 16th, we would love for you to join us however you can. More information can be found on her page at act.alz.org/goto/movingforwardformitzi. If you have any questions or issues with the page, please don’t hesitate to message me at ansley@iwillrememberforyou.com.
