I figure Bubba also knew that by departing this world around Thanksgiving, she'd be saving the children, grandchildren and friends extra traveling and inconvenience. She would have reasoned that way; because we always come together at Thanksgiving, nobody would have to miss school or work to attend her funeral. Always frugal, she would not have wanted money spent on gasoline for a second trip.

I'm guessing, too, she counted on the comfort of laughter that always accompanies a Jacks clan gathering. How she would have chuckled over grand-dog Forrest's diving through the screen on the barn porch (where we sequestered him Thanksgiving Day) and then totally shredding the screen doors on the house. That dog wanted turkey!

She would have grinned, hearing 8-year-old Wilkins's telling G-Man, "Pop, when you die and I'm grown, can I live here on the farm and be just like you?" She'd have been thrilled to hear Beth (11) play "Good King Wenceslas" on her saxophone, accompanied by 4-year-old Lila, happily tootling squeaky notes on a tonette, and Caroline (8), picking out the melody on the piano. Watching Wayne (13) and Jacks (8) in the backyard kicking a soccer ball back and forth for two solid hours would have been a delight, and she'd have been pleased when Meredith (15) fetched her fourth cup of coffee.

Yes, at Bubba's death laughter came with the tears, for there is great truth in this quote from Leonardo da Vinci: "As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death."

Bubba spent her long life wisely and well. Habitat for Humanity, League of Women Voters, the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women, Council of Christians and Jews - all of these groups and more benefited from her time and generosity.

G-Man picked up Bub's mail when she became too weak to leave her bed. He marveled at her junk mail. While we get insurance ads and sweepstake circulars, Bubba received solicitations for the blind, for the destitute, for "Save the Planet" and "Heifer International." The stack of newsletters from charities was sky high. I doubt there was one she failed to support. A large map taped to her bedroom wall highlighted areas of the world most in need of help for the poor and hungry. [Pictured: Marjorie H. Jacks, Gerald H. Jacks, Miriam Jacks Kimbro]

As we said goodby at the cemetery, G-Man read a prayer he found in Bubba's study materials. I share it with readers because the words are important to remember during this holiday season (and every day):

"O Lord, open my eyes that I may see the needs of others; open my ears that I may hear their cries; open my heart so that they need not be without succor; let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong, nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich. Show me where love and hope and faith are needed, and use me to bring them to those places. And so open my eyes and my ears that I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for thee. Amen." [by Alan Paton, UM hymnal]

Indeed, we accepted the sadness of Bubba's death, knowing she did it "her way" and left us exemplary guidelines for finding true joy and beauty in life. God bless her legacy!