DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Ready for Homecoming-Going?!
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Howard University “Showtime” Marching Band, ©Kevin Coles)

HOMECOMING!

A few months ago, I wrote “Oh, What a Homecoming!”
Here’s a short excerpt from the beginning of that post:

Now THAT’S a Homecoming!
A celebration! Back-bends! Music! Festivities!

My undergraduate alma mater, Howard University, knows how to throw a homecoming. There’s a parade, step show, fashion show, gospel show, comedy show, music concert, coronation ball, yard fest, celebrities, parties, parties, parties. And all of that is for a football game. A. football. game. Students and alumni from all over the world “come home” to celebrate.

HOMECOMING-GOING!

Today, my husband’s family will gather from all over the country and state and “come home” (so to speak) to celebrate Aunt Mary’s home-going (to heaven).

That’s right.
It’s a homecoming-going!
I’m sure I just made that word up. But it works, right?

I doubt that there will be any actual back-bends, (though my husband Kevin used to be a drum major in high school and could probably pull it off), but there will be a celebration today. Even though the family is heartbroken, we’re also grateful that we were graced with 60 wonderful years of Aunt Mary’s life, 40 of which she fought and lived with illness.

There’s so much to learn from those who battle long-term challenges like lupus. It’s often hard for family and friends to understand how much the patient is actually hurting because many times he/she doesn’t look sick. Aunt Mary was gorgeous and meticulous. Most will never know how much she really endured through the years… except her devoted husband Lee whom she met at the age of 12 and married at the age of 17, and her beautiful daughter Raechelle whom she loved more than life.They know how hard she fought, and she told them when she was ready to go home, and that she did.

HOME-GOING!

When Jesus was crucified unjustly on a cross between 2 criminals, one of them humbly requested, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus’ reply was simple: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

In the very second that Aunt Mary departed from this world, because she had trusted Jesus to be her only means to eternal life with our heavenly Father, that very minute, she was with Jesus in paradise.

When it’s time for you to go, can you say the same?

Are you ready for your homecoming-going?
No regrets?

When a loved one’s life on this side of heaven comes to an end, these are the questions that come up. We don’t have to run from them. We can face mortality with certainty, knowing that this part of the journey is just temporary. It’s the dress rehearsal before the big show. And what we do now really does matter then.

Thanks for your prayers.
I am honored to co-officiate and share the eulogy.
It’ll be a real homecoming-going!

Lots of love from the LaLa,
Naima

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