(from left to right): Levi Balthrop (6); Wiley Balthrop (61); Cindy Balthrop (61); Betsy Balthrop (4); Cherie Balthrop (82); Maggie Balthrop (8); LaDawn Balthrop (34); Matt Balthrop (36); Charlie Balthrop (1); Kristen Balthrop (38); Mark Balthrop (41)
My mother died today. She was just 61. Cynthia “Cindy” Ann Keylor Balthrop was born in Ada, Oklahoma on September 19, 1949 to Charles “Chap” and Mary Frank Keylor. She graduated from Ada High School in 1967 and married my dad, John Wiley Balthrop, in January 1969. They have been married 42 years.
I was born in August 1969 and my brother, Matthew Charles Balthrop, was born in February 1975. They raised us in a Christian home and we were both baptized at First Baptist Church, Ada.
Mom loved tending her flowers outdoors, trips to Louisiana (often to bring back more plants), sitting out on her deck overlooking their pond, and most of all her grandchildren. My three are Maggie (8), Levi (6), and Betsy (4). Matt and LaDawn have John Charles “Charlie” who is 2.
Mom was diagnosed with kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) in October 2009 and has fought bravely through several surgeries and harsh therapies.
When I think of my mother, I remember someone utterly devoted to her husband, home, and children. She chose not to work outside the home until we were in college. She cooked breakfast and dinner 6 days a week (donuts on Saturday), was always waiting on us when we came home from school, took us to every practice, lesson, and game imaginable, and modeled for us a loving and orderly home. As Ephesians 5:33 instructs, I can truly say that she respected her husband and taught us to respect our father. She was a great mother, I did not deserve her, and I am thankful for her.
I am very sad that she is dead. She has not simply “passed.” She died. This is not the way it is supposed to be. This is not the “circle of life” because we were not created to die. We die because of sin: the sin of Adam and our own. We are created body and soul it is the curse of sin that they are separated. So, I cry and hurt and mourn. You should too. Please don’t pretend that this is a time of “celebration” of her “home-going.” Yes, she is with the Lord, and that is why we do not grieve as those who have no hope (1 Thess 4:13), but we do grieve.
But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day. The Lord Jesus Christ will remedy this that day. He will return in all His glory and there will be a resurrection of the dead where soul and body will again be rejoined, never to be separated. His people will live in the New Heavens and the New Earth. It’s then that we will rejoice and celebrate for all eternity. It’s now that we grieve and cry out, “Lord Jesus, come quickly.”
The Lord giveth; the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.