Sep 10, 2008

A Great Loss

This past week our dear Nanny died after a long battle with cancer. We were incredibly close to Nanny and thus far it has been the hardest trials we've dealt with on the field.

One of the hardest things about being on the field is that you just can't up and fly home in case of family emergency. To us this was just that, a family emergency and one of the hardest things our family has had to face in a while.

The problem with losing a loved-one in the states and being so separated by oceans is that without a funeral there really isn't a close to grieving. It feels like the loss isn't real and it terribly hard to except the loss. After a week of depression and many tears we are finally getting over the initial shock of losing someone who has been so dear to us.

We will miss you forever Nanny and our hearts ache with your absence, we love you!

Below is the obituary that appeared in the Star Telegram paper:

Doris Miller, 79, of Arlington passed away Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, at an Arlington hospital after a long battle with cancer surrounded by her children.
Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Hillcrest Church of Christ, 1401 Hillcrest, Arlington, with Woody Woodrow officiating. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Moore Funeral Home.
Doris was a loving mom, nanny and great-nanny as well as a great friend to many. She was an active member of Hillcrest Church of Christ and a devoted volunteer with Hearts & Hands.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Miller; parents, Schley and Pearl Reeves; and sister, Lorraine Patterson.
Survivors: Daughters, Sandy Zahir and her husband, Bijan, of Arlington, Nancy Leslie and her husband, John, of Mansfield and Joan Turner and her husband, Mike, of Springtown; son, Jim Miller and his wife, Rebecca, of Arlington; brother, Dewey Reeves of Tecumseh, Okla.; sister, Bernice Kilgrew of Tulsa, Okla.; nine grandchildren; and six great- grandchildren.

18 comments:

  1. Tori, I'm so sorry. (((hugs)))

    Did someone video-tape the funeral? When my great-grandmother passed away, there were several family members, including her son who was in the hospital, who couldn't attend the funeral. It was video-taped for those family members.

    Praying for your family!

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  2. So sorry for you loss. I pray that the Lord gives you peace during this difficult time.

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  3. So sorry for your loss. My grandpa went through something like this with not getting to go to his sister's funeral. My grandpa was in the hospital and was on the verge of dying also. He made a full recovery, but sometimes he forgets that his sister passed away because he was not able to go to the funeral and it really bothers him. Hope God will continue to give you and your family peace.

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  4. Anonymous9:10 PM

    Oh Tori..I'm *so sorry* for your loss. I lost my precious Nanny 10 years ago and I *still* feel the loss.

    I, too, pray that the Lord gives you peace and strengthens you during this trying time.

    {{{HUGS}}}
    ~Michele

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  5. Hey Tori, You are experiencing something that I have dreading happening from the time that we arrived on the mission field. Please know that Adam and I are praying for you. You and your family will be in our thoughts over the next days and weeks. I think this is what Christ meant when he talked about counting the cost for his work. He never said that it would be easy, but He will be with you through it. We will be praying that God will give you peace and some sort of closure very soon!

    Your friend,
    Brandie

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  6. Praying for you and your family.
    ((Hugs))

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  7. Oh, Tori, after being in Portugal less than three weeks, we too were dealt the terrible blow of having lost a dear family member. I will be in prayer for your family. It helped to get a video of the funeral, as bad as that sounds. It took me almost 6 moths before I was 'ready' to watch it, but late one might, just me and my computer I watched a home video of my Grandmothers funeral. I cried my eyes out and it helped to have a little more closure. But those weeks right around the funeral are so hard. Not being able to comfort or be comforted....I remember all too well.

    Please know you will be in my prayers.

    Love in the Lord,
    Nina

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  8. Oh Tori dear i understand how you must feel. My heart and thoughts and prayers are with you all.

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  9. Anonymous12:24 AM

    Sorry for your loss and the fact that you can't go to the funeral. I hope that maybe you can watch the video. What a good idea. ((( hugs ))) D

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  10. Anonymous6:24 AM

    I'm catching up with blog friends after a rather long break this summer. So sorry to hear of your loss - one more family member waiting for you in heaven, one more reason to look forward to heaven. I pray the Lord will fill you and your family with peace and His comforting presence in your grief.
    Karen

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  11. I'm so sorry, Tori! I know that this is one of the hardest things about being a missionary. I lost both of my grandmothers shortly after we moved here, and although we weren't an ocean away, we still couldn't go back home. It's very hard. I'll be praying for you!

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  12. Anonymous4:37 AM

    I'm sorry about your Nanny. May God comfort you and your family.

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  13. I am so sorry to "read" about your loss!!!! {{{{Hugs}}}}

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  14. Anonymous5:25 AM

    I can surely sympathize with you !
    My wonderful Granny went to be in Heaven on August 28 of this year.
    God's Grace has been so sufficient for us, But it is hard, Just remember even Jesus wept when Lazarus died. He didn't have to have faith, He knew where Lazurus was. I will be praying for you !
    Karen in Georgia

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  15. I'm sorry you lost your Nanny! I agree, the hardest thing about being on the mission field is not being with the family when things like this happen. Some day when we all get to Heaven, He will make it all worth it! Until then, may the Lord comfort you. (((hugs)))

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  16. I know there is nothing we can say to make things better, but I am so sorry for your loss. I pray you and your family will make it through this difficult time together.
    *Hugs*

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  17. Hi Tori,
    I'm so sorry to hear about your Nanny. I'm praying for you and for your family members that are in the States - that someone might come to know the Lord through this.
    ~Heather

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  18. Anonymous9:48 PM

    Tori,
    I'm praying for the Lord to comfort you in a way that only HE can do.
    Love & prayers,

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