" Death eventually comes to all humankind. It comes to the aged as they walk on faltering feet. Its summons is heard by those who have scarsely reached medway in life´s journey, and often it hushes the laughter of little children. Death is the factor that no one can escape or deny.
Frequently death comes as an intruder. It is an enemy that suddenly appears in the midst of lifes feast, putting out its lights and gaiety. Death lays its heavy hand upon those dear to us, and at times leaves us baffled and wondering. In certain situations, as in great suffering and illness, death comes as an angel of mercy. But for most part, we think of it as an enemy of human happines."
These words have been spoken by the religious leader Thomas Monson.
And after these words he spoke of the hope and comfort that lays in the scriptures promises of the resurection.
I know that in this case death came as an unwelcome intruder to all close to Tostie. We lost a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a mother in law, a friend, an inlaw.
Thrue my life I have heard many stories an anadocts, many of them humorous, about the day when we meet Sct. Peter at the pearly gates.
Well that might not be what we will encounter on the other side, - but if it was, - I am sure Sct. Peter will cry out, when he sees Ann Marie arriving: "Here comes a soul with a loving heart".
Two of the main characteristics that come to my mind, when I think of Tostie, is her loving heart and compasion, which I know that both humans and mammals have benefited greatly from.
The other feature is her great sense og humor. I for one really enjoyed hearing her, Albert and David joking each other, and their good natured teasing, which in my opinion they had perfected to artistic heights.
On many tombstones at many graveyards aruond the world, inscribed in the stones between the date of a persons birth and the date of the persons death, there is a little line called a dash. And what matters most of all, is the dash between those years.
Such a dash between the 30th of january 1953 and the 4th of january 2009, would represent all the time Tostie spent alive on earth. And now perhaps, only those who loved her, know what that little line is worth.
In this little line lies a childhood, the teenage years. Here lies her hopes and dreams, her mistakes and sorrows and her succeses and joys.
There is a saying that goes: "Many people walk in and out of our lives, but only some will leave footprints in our hearts. And in the before mentioned dash, are also the days when Ann Marie left footprints in the hearts of many here today, and in the hearts of many who could not be here today.
I know that these last several months, some circumstances and troubles, gave Tostie much frustration and grief in her daily life.
But I also have a strong conviction, that he who mends hearts, heals souls and wipe away tears, our Lord and redeemer Jesus Christ has received her, and that she is now, as the scriptures say: "encircled about eternally in the arms of his love."
I believe that the death of a loved one, is like seeing a ship sail off into the horizon, and among those watching the ship set out, one may say: "She is gone."
But on the other side of the horizon, on an other shore, stands an other group of people gazing into the horizon, and suddenly one may cry out: "There she comes."
Rest your head, my weary traveller.
This earthly journy is at end.
Say goodbye to those who`ll mourn you
acqauintance, family, friend.
Thoughts of you will bring us comfort
your in our hearts, you are not gone,
and in our time we´ll come to join you,
one last farewell and journey on.
God be with her till we meet again.
In the name of Jesus Christ
Amen.
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