An Ode to Heidi
This Monday, June 24th, my dear Aunt Heidi had a heart attack, and just like that she was gone. Totally unexpected. It was her day, it was her time.
For many reasons, I couldn’t make it to the small graveside service that was held earlier today. One of the biggest challenges of living abroad is missing out on the family life and events of our extended selves.
Yesterday I took advantage of a 20-minute nap interval to sit and ponder what impact her life has had on me. She was simple – she never wanted or needed much. As kids we would play with barbies on her bedroom floor or go on long walks together with Grandma. If it was raining, we would rollerblade in the basement while they did laps for exercise instead. She never said much but even so, her life still speaks. Without further to do – here is what I wrote and what my mother read on my behalf this morning at Heidis graveside service.
An Ode to Heidi
Heidi was simple. She liked good music, barbies, fashion, and an occasional good meal. Heidi was intelligent, kind, and thoughtful. She spent time cutting out just the right magazine clippings for her family members. It took thought, observation and intentionality to know what each of us would like. She walked miles with Grandma Margaret and had her hair straightened on occasion with some nice bangs to go with it.
Heidi was faithful in her quite presence. She occasionally asked questions that revealed her good intuition and honest desire to know each one of us better. Heidi didn’t have many friends, but she had family. A family that loves her and she loved back.
What is Heidi’s impact on your life? Had Heidi never been, who would you be? For those of us who spent time with Heidi, we would be different.
Heidi’s impact is deeper than we’ll ever know and stronger than we’ll ever grasp. Her momentary time on this earth will continue to impact generations. She taught us how to have compassion when things are rough. She showed us kindness and never anything less. Heidi complimented us without a desire to receive much in return. She gave freely and we can all learn from that. She taught us about obedience to one’s parents, doing what her mother told her even when she didn’t feel like it.
When we get to heaven and see Aunt Heidi, maybe she’ll share with us all the wisdom she gained from living a simple life in our largely confused society. We live in an upside-down world. Jesus says that the last will be first and the first will be last.
Aunt Heidis presence will be missed but her impact will always be felt in our heart. God gets the glory for Heidi’s life. God gets the glory when she entered His gates. May we never forget her life and the profound depth of value attached to the rooms she inhabited and the person she was.