A definition of success: "Those who are closest to you love you the most." If this is a valid concept of a public/private life of integrity -- a life well lived -- Katherine Freeman (Oma, to her grandchildren) was one of the many unsung heroes who have journeyed their way through life on this planet...who have epitomized this statement.

   Katherine's main focus in life truly was heaven. Loving and serving her family (Arthur, Nancy, Stephen, Joel and Beth) was the main purpose of her life. She was the heart of the family. Studying the Bible, singing/humming hymns around the house and prayer were the main disciplines that cascaded down from her consciousness of living for all eternity with Jesus. And did she pray!!!

   Eternity will reveal it all. On earth we view some people as celebrities and others as important world leaders. Perhaps it's an upside down view of eternal reality. While in later years Katherine was physically frail, there is no doubt that in heaven Katherine was (and is) viewed as one who impacted the world from her knees. Smashing beyond the four walls of her bedroom...doing battle in the invisible realm. A world leader, a commanding general, someone who lived the warrior ethos -- known and respected by angels everywhere. Feared by demons throughout the universe. Famous in heaven. Famous in hell. 

   Is this an overstatement? We'll see...

   Here is an unsolicited note from a family friend who visited Katherine while she was in the hospital: "I've been to Burnaby General a few times in the past couple of weeks... elderly parents of good friends are there, possibly close to their "glory going time." They are 90 and 91, married 64 years. The wife is possibly the most passionate person I know when it comes for a deep heart love for Jesus and pleasing him. I think all of Heaven will roar when she passes through the gates. Although she is not in any pain or really ill... just old age, she is so eager for her time to go, and just for the sake of seeing Jesus that she is almost pained by staying here, although she dearly loves her husband, kids, grand kids, etc. One of those people who, when you are with them, you almost feel you are trespassing on holy ground."

   Funk & Wagnall's dictionary defines the word godly as "filled with love for God." W.E Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words states that the term godly is "...characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is pleasing to Him...the reverence of God..." Katherine's name should be included in both definitions as a down-to-earth illustration of the meaning of the word.

   Katherine had her heart and mind on the invisible much of the time -- almost like she had one foot in heaven and the other foot on a banana peel. With her love for eternity, she was still very practical about life here on earth. You've heard of the phrase that depicts hyper-spirituality: "She's so heavenly minded that she's of no earthly good." Well...the phrase that's true about Katherine changes it up a bit with an opposite meaning, "She was heavenly minded so that she could be of greater earthly good."

   A hard worker. Uncomplaining. Never an unkind word about anyone else. Giving until it hurts and then giving some more. Would give her full attention when talking with you. Extremely frugal. Loved her HUGE vegetable garden, which us kids had to weed. A big fan of vitamin pills, cod liver oil, flax seeds, carrot juice (drank so much my hands seemed to turn a subtle shade of orange...honest), liverburgers (her version of Hamburger Helper...50% liver & 50% hamburger -- awful!), brewers yeast (yuk), pep-up health drink concoction (triggered the gag reflex), etc.

   Enthusiastic about projects, like unusual campmobile designs, that would provide basic traveling accommodations without the need for staying at motels or eating at restaurants. Well educated. Intelligent. Fluent in German ("aber junge!"), with a rudimentary understanding of Russian. Very focused on some things, absent-minded about other things. A "packrat" of odd items like Mason jars. An incredible wife, mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, aunt, friend and neighbor. It's all true.

   Sometimes at funerals you hear such positive glowing words about the deceased that you wonder if they are talking about the same person you knew. The testimonies you will hear and read about my mother are the real thing – no embellishments – because she was the genuine Godly women of Proverbs 31. She was the same sweet person outside our home as she was in it. She never complained about her circumstances.

   At Prairie (PBI, Three Hills, Alberta), where we lived at near poverty levels, she praised God for the privilege of serving and training others for Christ. She lived Philippians 4:11, “For I have learned whatever state I am in, to be content”. She sang hymns with gusto all day as she cleaned the house, prepared meals, washed our clothes and hung them out to dry. We would hear hallelujahs as she put patches on the clothes she bought for us at the second-hand Tillie Shop. She stretched a dime into a dollar as she filled our bellies with goulash, mac and cheese, meatloaf and other basic staples.

   My mother's greatest hearts desire was for all her children and grandchildren to serve the Lord. She lead by example as she lived a life completely devoted to God. She could only handle secular discussions for so long before she would gently steer the conversation to the spiritual dimension. My mother truly lived with her head in the cloud of Heavenly Places. She always reminded us to live for the Lord so we would have rewards to lay at the feet of Jesus. I believe my faithful mother is laying a mountain of rewards at the feet of Jesus right now.