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The following was written the night I heard that "my" Maime died. I put the "my" in quotes because I've heard the other grandchildren refer to her that same way... independently. She had a way of making you feel that you were the only one in the room when she was talking to you - she was never too distracted to spend quality time and "visit" with us. A Prayer…A Tribute Good morning Father. This morning you have one very special person with you in Heaven – my Maime. Her body gave out here last night, but now she is rejoicing with you in Heaven. I know how much you love her Lord, as I have loved her myself more than I can express. I thank you Lord for the 87 years you gave her here on earth. I thank you that you allowed her to touch so very many lives here. I thank you Lord that many people were profoundly touched by her – those in the family and out. I thank you Lord for the inspiration she gave to me – probably more powerful than any other human being on earth – to create a home base, a stable household that will anchor my family. She provided me with the example and the memories of her anchor – one that while I was separated from it when I went to college, its memories were so strong and impactful, that it became my material dream for what I wanted to have for myself; my own family, anchored in that kind of love. It is this example and these memories that helped to shape my love of family, and to see all the good that family can be, despite all the trials and tribulations I witnessed in my own family. It was her example of matriarchal security that has encouraged me to continue through the tough times of marriage and family turmoil that at times sought to tear my own family apart. Her example was the standard I wanted always to reach – that despite the struggles, the frustrations, the conflicts, I need to maintain this anchor for myself and my children – a safe haven where we all can work out our problems, be accepted with all our faults, and find peace. This has helped me to work harder and longer than I would have otherwise wanted to, and it has also exposed my own selfishness and self centeredness. But I think what has impacted me more than anything else is the UNCONDITIONAL LOVE that Maime showed everyone. No matter if you are “in favor” or out, if you are doing well, doing poorly, if you have betrayed her, or betrayed one of her children or grandchildren, if you have acted shamefully or admirably, she loved you without condition or pretense. I never felt like I had to “earn” her acceptance – she accepted me in every circumstance. I never had to “prove myself” to her, yet she was always proud of my accomplishments. I never had to apologize for my shortcomings, yet she was never afraid to speak against things she didn’t agree with or that she felt would be bad for me. No matter what, when I was around Maime I always felt loved. My relationship with Jesus Christ is made possible because of HIS unconditional love for me. His acceptance of me despite my faults is what sustains me year after year. I believe that Maime was his best example of how to show this type of love – and this has become the standard against which I hope to measure myself as I complete my journey on earth. I want to love as Jesus commanded, and as I saw his precious child Nellie display to all her children, grand children and great grand children. I want to cherish the little ones – each one as if they are my own. I want to be interested in the middle children and all they do. I want to encourage the older children to pursue their dreams. I want to be a helper to the young families that need so much guidance and prayerful support. I want to be a friend, a confidant, and unwavering family supporter to all those in my sphere of influence. I have learned this from Maime. She has been my best LIFE teacher. Her life example is alive and well in my mind and spirit, as if she were living under my very roof. I will miss her, but she will not be absent. Her memory, her lessons, her life has left a mark that can not be removed from the “life blood” of my entire family. I intend to cultivate and nurture this sense of family until I join her at our Lord’s side. Thank you Father, for blessing my life with Maime. I pray Lord, that you help me become even a fraction of the person that she was. |