Life has been crazy, and this past week has been no exception. As we “celebrated” the six-month anniversary of saying goodbye to Hannah, we were also looking forward to both Mother’s Day and Hannah’s graduation. There really aren’t words to explain the tangle of emotions that all of this creates simultaneously, but I guess that you will have to just try to imagine it for yourself. It’s amazing how “highs and lows” can be so intertwined. So, beginning last Sunday the 4th, the day that corresponds to her swallowing that one bite of brownie, we relived the week that we spent in the hospital all over again. As the days counted down, we remembered where we were, how we felt, what was happening, and ultimately, where these things were leading.
With that being said, as the days of memories counted down in our minds, we were also preparing for both Mother’s Day and Hannah’s graduation. Mother’s Day involved the typical cleaning of the house, food preparation, and schedule of activities; but added to that was the notable absence of Hannah. This is especially hard on Janean as her daughter would no longer be here, with us in person, on Mother’s Day. Losing that mother-daughter connection has been especially difficult.
Then there was graduation… We were notified months ago that Hannah had been able to complete enough of her courses to earn her associates degree. In the same conversation we were also asked if we would be open to Maranatha honoring Hannah with an honorary bachelor’s degree. We, of course, said “yes” and have been very thankful for MBU’s carefulness as they demonstrate their appreciation for Hannah’s life, character, and testimony. (We were also asked to keep this a secret, and we did.) As the days counted down, it worked out that the day of Hannah’s graduation (Friday) was the same day that we were notified of her ultimate condition and then made the decision to donate her organs. Next was Saturday. That was the day that we got together to celebrate Mother’s Day with family, and it was the corresponding day of the honor walk and her passing. Next, Sunday corresponded to our first day home where we began serious funeral preparations and began to really feel the loss of Hannah sinking in. All this led to a less than joyous day for Janean, but it was a good time as a family with our mothers. Tomorrow will be the anniversary of her funeral. Again, these things lead to such a mix of emotions. “They are the best of time and the worst of times.”
Let’s focus on the graduation. We wore the suits that we bought for Hannah’s funeral for the second time. I guess I would have to say that this was as close to reattending her funeral as we could get. It was awkward to go to the school, knowing that everyone else there was there to celebrate, except us. We were not there to be a “wet blanket” or to “rain on their parade”, and no one ever made us feel that way, but inside, there is no way around that feeling. They all had a right to be happy. Long hours, long distances, hard work, and lots of money had gone into reaching “this one graduation day” for all the graduates and their families. It was the pinnacle of their cumulative efforts and an anticipated pivotal turning point in their lives. We had looked forward to Hannah’s graduation once, but now WE were receiving the certificate and recognition of her accomplishments, knowing that she was gone. It was her work, her money, her time, and her character that was being awarded, but it was all done posthumously. We deeply appreciate the opportunity MBU gave us. We also can’t express how much their appreciation of WHO Hannah was, rather than what she accomplished, means to us. The standing ovation of everyone in the auditorium was very overwhelming! We felt the love for our daughter very strongly!
This was such a significant, deeply personal and moving time for us that it was definitely hard to go up on the stage. As we walked up, then disappeared behind the banners in front of the stage stairs, I asked Janean if she thought we could just stay hidden there. Then as Dr. Davis gave his heart felt testimonial of Hannah, I was very numb inside. Janean and I put an arm around each other for support. She was wiping away lots of tears and I could feel her trembling as Dr. Davis spoke. I leaned over, gave her a lite kiss on the head, and said, “Just hold it together for a few more minutes.” That really sums it up. We were just trying to “hold it together”, physically and emotionally. After coming down we just sat in our seats waiting for our chance to leave and to have some privacy in which to decompress. Such a mix of emotions!
Also, this week, relating to MBU, we received a thank you letter from a young lady named Emma Sinclair. This thankyou is not only for us, but also for all those who have donated to the Hannah Glass Scholarship Fund. She thanked us for her being the first recipient of the Hannah Glass Scholarship that we set up at Maranatha. It is intended to help ambitious girls, in particular, of notable character, in the school of education to be able to get some help with their finances.
She explains that, “I am an MK who grew up in Cameroon, Africa. I just finished my sophomore year as an elementary education major. I am praying that the Lord will use me on the mission field in the future. In preparation for that, I will be spending this summer in the Dominican Republic under Baptist World Mission’s missionary apprenticeship program. One of the reasons this scholarship was such a blessing to me is because I will not be able to work this summer as a result of this trip. God has been so good to me in more ways than I can count.” “This summer, I have the wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord for eight weeks in the Dominican Republic. This trip is through the Baptist World Missions Mapper Program, which is set up to allow people to experience what it is like to be a missionary short term. I will be there from mid-May to mid-July.
Over the last couple of years, the Lord has developed a burden in my heart for Spanish-speaking people. I have been studying Spanish off and on for the last couple of years between college classes and work. I’ll be going with one of my best friends, Reagan Bill. We will stay with and serve underneath the Brandon and Regina Bell family.
Here are some things I will be doing while I am down there. First, I would love to learn a lot of Spanish. I pray that this immersion will help me break through this wall I seem to have hit. Second, I will be able to be a part of the teaching English outreach ministry the Bells plan to start. I will also help with the music ministry. Finally, I will observe. This ministry is new, and they are in the first steps of starting a new church. I am grateful to be able to witness and be a part of the early steps of a church plant.”
Please be in prayer for Emma as she serves this summer in preparation for her future ministry. If you are able, please also donate to the Hannah Glass Scholarship at Maranatha, both to honor the life of Hannah and also to aid in the education, growth, and development of not only today’s students, but tomorrow’s leaders, like Emma Sinclair.
If you are able to help these young people in their endeavors to learn and to serve the Lord, please donate, in Hannah’s name at the “GIVE” link below:
In the designation space select “Scholarship Fund”. Then in the next box, designate those funds for the Hannah Glass Scholarship Fund. It’s a real blessing and honor to remember the life of our daughter in this way, and to use her life and story to help others, just as she would.
Again, as we said earlier, “We are so honored and humbled to have been part of the MBU Graduation Ceremony on behalf of our daughter. The warmth and appreciation of all those who participated was overwhelming. Although we were the ones accepting the diplomas, they were Hannah’s. She earned them through her academic efforts and her Christlike character. We are deeply thankful to Maranatha for honoring her in this way and teaching all their students to live honorable, profitable Christian lives done with purpose, direction, and intention. We miss you, Hannah! GO, Serve, Lead Maranatha!”
We are blessed!
Hannah Helps 