The year 2007 had a sad beginning for the Case family.

       It was only two weeks ago that I was sitting around the large family table with many of my close relatives. We were playing my grandmother's favorite family card game, "Up and Down the River". At every family get together there are some things you can just count on. Lots of sweets, family members laughing at humorous events from our past, looking at pictures, remembering family vacations, and playing games. These are just a few of the things that I always know will happen when we all get together.

       Over Christmas vacation I got pictures and video of my grandmother holding and feeding Joshua, doing laundry, and taking pictures of other people taking pictures.

     Life changes so fast. My grandmother is physically in great shape, for an 80 year old. At least she was until a few days ago. About a week ago she began to feel "strange" so she went to the hospital. While there she suffered a stroke that has completely paralyzed her right side. She can no longer communicate. She is trapped inside her own body.

     Our family is trying to figure out how to properly grieve. In some ways there is hope that she'll recover, but in other ways it's like she has already died. Sure, she's still alive, but for all practical purposes she has ceased to exist. She can no longer hug somebody, say "I love you", drive her car, live in her house, or even eat on her own.

      How do you say good-bye to someone who's not actually gone...

         As a family we will continue to love our grandmother. We will take care of her. We will remember her for who she was and the love that she showed to us.

         I can safely say that as I look at what sin has done to my grandmother I am not satisfied with what this world has to offer us.