# Death of a Grandparent explained — Magnolia Leaves

> Chapter companion for Magnolia Leaves by Mary Weston Fordham.

## What happens

A poetic tribute to a grandmother who has passed away, celebrating her release from earthly toil and sorrow, her reunion with loved ones in the afterlife, and the hope of resurrection.

## Themes in this chapter

### Death and the Afterlife

The poem describes death as a passage to eternal life in Canaan, the Golden City, and fields Elysian.

### Grief and Mourning

The poem expresses mourning through the imagery of laying the grandmother to rest beneath bending willows, yet comforts with the hope of resurrection.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus

The grandmother is said to repose securely on Jesus' breast, and will be called by her Saviour to arise.

### the Reaper Death

Death is referenced as 'death's portals' which the grandmother has passed through to enter life.

## Key lines

> Rest thee aged pilgrim, now thy toils are o’er; Peacefully thou’st landed over Jordan’s shore; Safe from all the sorrows, free from all the strife, Thou hast passed death’s portals, entered into life.

Rest now, old traveler, your hard work is finished; you have crossed the river of death and arrived safely in heaven, free from pain and conflict.

_The opening lines frame death as a peaceful release from earthly labor._

> So ’neath the bending willows we’ve laid thee down to rest, Well knowing thou’rt reposing secure on Jesus’ breast; Well knowing that one day will come, the welcome word Arise, Come up, thou ransomed mortal, to thy Saviour in the skies.

We have buried you under the willow trees, confident that you are safe in Jesus' arms, and that one day you will be called to rise and meet your Savior in heaven.

_The closing lines combine burial imagery with the Christian hope of resurrection._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/magnolia_leaves_se/chapters/death-of-a-grandparent
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/magnolia_leaves_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/magnolia_leaves_se/chapters