Like her biblical namesake she’ll be remembered for her
kindness, loyalty, obedience and faith.
She was…
A silent answer that not only turned away wrath,
but somehow mastered the ability to completely ignore it.
Forgive it. Forget it.
She was…
A lover of the Lord
Emulating meekness, patience and service
Reading daily scriptures to her hungry young boys as they
snarfed down breakfast then undoubtedly left her with
dirty dishes to clean without complaint.
She was…
An “I figure no matter how bad I have it,
somebody else has it worse than I do,” kind of person.
The glass was always half full,
And tomorrow the sun would inevitably shine.
She was…
The first to offer an, “I thought maybe you could use these,”
while displaying her latest yard sale finds.
From kitchen tables to Dirt Devil vacuums,
to household gadgets and more…
Never did second-hand feel so first-rate.
She was…
A chocolate Wendy’s Frosty, Keebler club crackers,
frozen green grapes and three million tons of food storage
“just in case” of a rainy day.
She was…
A Steno notepad full of perfect loopy penmanship,
an impeccable record keeper,
The memory for the family
And a stasher of seemingly endless cash.
She was…
A macaroni and tomatoes,
green peppers in cottage cheese,
and a can of Campbell’s soup kind of cook.
Never claiming anything close to “fancy”
Whether dressing a salad or herself.
She was…
Known to say, “It’s just another day” or “no big deal” when celebrating
birthdays, anniversaries, or graduations, perhaps to deemphasize
the pomp and circumstance so many value “these days”
over the simple joy of being together.
She was…
The last to complain or criticize but the first to say,
“Well, that’s just so and so” when explaining away flaws of family members–
Be it moodiness, a terrible temper, the lack of a filter, or the in-ability to stay awake on her couch during a visit…
All flaws she herself did not possess but readily overlooked in others.
She was…
One of the first to hold our babies
But the last to offer parenting advice,
Choosing love, patience, charity, and compassion
Over correction or condemnation.
She was…
A mischievous, giggle when reminiscing
about the fruit picking fun of The Dirty Dozen
and a hearty laugh upon seeing a “for his eyes only”
Valentine given to her youngest son.
“I thought it was cute,” was the only judgment she offered.
She was…
Two short legs trotting beside me in the emergency room,
hoping to shield me from the shock concealed by a canvas curtain.
Then, within a matter of minutes, she became the 5 ft nothing pillar of strength I literally leaned on after the doctor told us it was too late
and we made the short long walk
together to tell my children.
She was…
Miles of stitches, sewn into the many quilts
and first aid bandages she created to comfort others.
And more recently, she was a set of large-print scriptures
read aloud in a lonely, silent home.
She was…
A big sigh accompanied by an “Oh…I just putter around here and there,”
which was code for, “I accomplish more in a day in my 80s
than most people half my age and younger.”
But it still wasn’t enough to help her feel productive.
She was…
A worrier, a mother and grandmother who
fought to stay here with those she loved,
But longed to go home to her eternal companion,
her grandson, her siblings, her parents, and her baby.
And now,
she is…
Our angel, our continued advocate, our mother, grandmother, sister and friend.
Her struggles to endure replaced by eager
reunions taking place on the other side,
offering those of us left behind some comfort and peace
as she whispers through the veil,
”All is well…till we meet again.”
Thank you, Ruth, for being our example of charity, productivity, righteousness, frugality, wisdom, service, and love. In my 30 years as a member of this family, I never heard you say an unkind word about anyone, even when you were the sounding board for many of our complaints.
From baby blessings to baptisms, church talks to birthdays, deer hunts to missionary farewells, homecomings, weddings and funerals. Thank you for sharing so many of life’s beautiful, tender moments with all of us, as well as sharing the most bitter and challenging. We love you and will forever honor your name through the lives we lead and the choices we make. We are blessed to call you our mother, grandmother, sister, and friend–another angel now lifting and encouraging us from the other side.
