In Memory of Edith Lightcap

Today is a bittersweet day. Sue's grandmother, Edith Lightcap, affectionately known as (Great)Gran went home to be with her Lord this morning. She has suffered the ravages of alzheimer's and more recently a large tumor which caused hemoraghing. It has been a slow deterioration of a dear saint.

My memories go back to before we were married of Gran and her legendary status in the Richard house. Whenever she would come to visit, the questions would almost always turn to her driving. Had she been safe in her driving? What time had she left? How was it possible to cover so much distance in such a short amount of time? etc. Her little silver Volkswagen Fox seemed to beg her to fly!

Gran has English roots. Granny Harvey (her mum) was a direct immigrant from England. And so the prim and proper, stiff upper lip, these things ought (or ought not) to be done, etc. all came out in her. She had things just so in her apartment and it was always a delight to visit with her. Her English lavendar soap for example was overwhelming at first visit. But after we had visited there a couple of times, that smell became part of the charm of Gran's house.

Sue and I spent our first six months of our marriage attending church with Gran at Spruce Street Bapt (where the funeral will be held on Wed) and dining with her for lunch each Sunday. It was great fun and we looked forward to the weekly excursions down from Lansdale to Newtown Square and over to Lima Estates. We enjoyed visiting and getting to know Gran better. She always made us feel special and loved. I remember her standing at the glass doors from her patio and waving goodbye to as we headed for our apartment in Lansdale. Good times.

I also remember Gran's love for her pastor. She was the secretary for a number of years at Spruce Street and ran the office with great precision and her typical English class. She developed a great respect for a younger pastor as she watched him minster regularly with the people of Spruce Street Bapt. She watched him take the abuse and struggle with ministry insider stuff. She saw his character and guarded his flank loyally. I can remember a time that she actually got a little miffed (an English lady does not get angry) at the pettiness and hurtful conversations that some of her age group of people were having. "He is our pastor -- that's not right!" she said.

As we mourn for the loss of this dear saint of God, we are comforted to know that Gran is now with her Savior and has been reunited with her husband, John and her son Stephen (lost as an infant due to SIDS). Absent from the body (a broken one at that) and present with her Lord. I do not wish her back with us.

Mourning and rejoicing at the same time,
Mike