Thursday, October 20, 2011

On choosing the better thing...

Yesterday we attended a memorial service for my dear Nana.  


I have an incredibly supportive family... loving and super-patient with all of my many pursuits, but my Nana played a unique role in my life.  

She thought I was perfect.  For my whole life she has been my biggest cheerleader.


Certainly, I was aware of my faults, but I am sure that her unwavering confidence in me and my abilities, however unfounded, has encouraged me to attempt goals that I might never have considered otherwise.


She never started her own business, wrote a book, invented anything, or was highlighted in a magazine article, but her life was still incredibly significant because she chose love. 


She chose love.  


She chose forgiveness.  


She chose grace.


She chose to "not take into account a wrong suffered," (1 Cor. 13:5)


She rejoiced in the truth.  (1 Cor. 13:6)


Oh, I know... she wasn't perfect any more than I am, but as I reflect on her life I realize that I too want to choose love, forgiveness and grace as I relate to my family.


What a legacy an "ordinary" life can leave, when lived with love as the predominant motivation.


The years, they pass *so* quickly.  I want to choose love too.


Here's to choosing grace.


Here's to choosing love.


I'll let the following photos speak for themselves.  I know that this post is photo-heavy, but as I sorted through photos that we used for the slide show at her memorial service, I felt compelled to include these~ there are so many memories attached to them for me.  So humor me, ok? 

















"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;"
2 Tim. 4:7


May that be said of all of us.

11 comments:

  1. This is one of the most beautiful posts I have ever seen. Makes me cry. What a tribute to such an extraordinary woman. And what a testimony of how people can invest into other people's lives and create such confidence and strength.

    I am moved. And she's right, you know. You are awesome.

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  2. What a truly beautiful memorial. I love all the old pics. A beautiful woman inside and out. I love that you are rejoicing in your memories of her.

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  3. This is a beautiful post and what a FUN Nana you have. She looks inspiring and a true testimony to how we should live our lives:). Thanks for sharing your memories...I am sure it makes you feel wonderful to have so many good ones tucked away:).

    ~Julia

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  4. So beautiful and lovely, and what a precious tribute to your Nana. I know your heart is aching so much and you are missing her much. May you know God's comfort and peace in the days ahead, and may your children be blessed as you tell them sweet stories of Nana and the loving, amazing woman she was.

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  5. What a beautiful post to share with the rest of us how wonderful your Nana was! What a testimony of how a Godly woman should live. Thanks for sharing that with the world. May the Lord comfort your heart and help you to dwell on the good memories!
    Kathy

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  6. After seeing your memorial, I think I love your Nana too! I would love to be like her!
    Kari Goodroad

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  7. How wonderful to have had someone to encourage you and be such a great example, investing so much in the lives around her. Thanks for sharing, and wishing you God's comfort as you grieve your loss.

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  8. Thanks *so* much everybody. Your thoughts and concern mean more than you can imagine.

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  9. So sorry for your earthly loss Susan! How LOVED your Nana was/is!! May the LORD indeed give you grace as you go forward with HIM and without her.

    In HIS Love,
    Camille

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  10. Awesome post. Everything, the words, the photos, everything. I very much enjoyed it.

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