Precious Lady

I am writing this today with a peaceful heart. This week has been one of the longest, hardest weeks of my life. When I was writing my previous post on Monday afternoon, my mom came flying into my house to tell me that my grandmother (my Dad's Mom) had passed away unexpectedly.

Her and my Poppa had been in Abilene on Monday because Gram had to have cataract surgery Monday morning. Her surgery went fine, and then they released her. As always, she had a long list of things for them to do while they were in Abilene, so they started off to run errands. One thing they needed to get done was to get the oil changed in their car. Right before Poppa turned into the Toyota dealership, Gram started to complain of feeling ill. He pulled into the dealership, and some guys in the shop helped get her out of the car. In a matter or minutes, she got worse. She was very nauseous, but could not ever vomit. She finally wanted them to call 911, and when she voluntarily goes for medical attention, you know something serious is wrong. The emergency crews got there and took her to Hendrick Medical Center. They worked on her for about an hour there, but they couldn't get her heart to start back up. Ultimately, they're thinking she had a massive heart attack. Such a sudden thing that was SO shocking to all of us.

Gram was 76 years old, but had the energy of a 26 year old. She was ALWAYS on the go. Her and Poppa were married 51 years, they successfully raised 5 children, and she always worked hard to help others out. She worked as a special education teacher in Haskell for 11 years, and then went to work at the Region 14 office as a special education consultant. To read her full obituary, click here.

She was such an extraordinary Christian lady. Her funeral service was absolutely beautiful. The main point that was talked about was how Gram always made it a point to make connections with everyone. Whether it was a Haskell connection, Texas A&M connection, teaching connection, friend/family connection, TCU connection, or whatever, she always made a point to make everyone feel special or connected to her. Everyone who came to her service had a thing in common--we were all linked to Gram somehow. There were so many people at her service, we had to set up chairs in the Fellowship Hall for overflow. The sanctuary was FULL of beautiful flowers that were sent by people from everywhere that Gram had an impact on. It was such an eye-opener to see how many people my Gram had an impact on. I got to listen to so many stories about Gram that were so inspiring. She was an absolutely incredible woman.

At her service, my Aunt Emily and Uncle John spoke for the family, and they did an amazing job. It was a true celebration of her life, and that is definitely what she would have wanted. We love her dearly, and she was such an amazing role model, but we know that she is in a better place. We also know that she is now up in Heaven making new connections with a whole new crowd, and she's LOVING it! :)

"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates."

Proverbs 31:10-31