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Friday, January 18, 2013

Proverbs 31 Woman



The last few days have been hard with losing my grandmother. It's always harder to be around family, because that is when you are reminded about the missing person. The whole situation seems surreal as well, like this is all just a really bad dream. It was a gorgeous, sunny January day yesterday, as we celebrated the life of grandma and had her burial. The service was lovely and really honored her and her memory. She will be greatly missed.

Last night when I was doing my devotions, I was reading Proverbs 31. I love this passage, because it is a woman that I strive to become. When I was reading it, I couldn't help but think of grandma and how much her life sounded like this passage. Anyone that knew her, could tell you that she was truly a Proverbs 31 woman.



Proverbs 31:10-31

A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.
 
My mom always described my grandma as a "gem." She was just she a sweet, caring woman.

Her husband trusts her without reserve,     and never has reason to regret it.

You could always tell that my grandpa adored her.

Never spiteful, she treats him generously    all her life long.

She was always taking care of him when he was ill later in life, and always made him the food that he loved.

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,    and enjoys knitting and sewing.

She loved sewing and would sew herself dresses, as well as clothes for my mom, aunt and grandpa. She taught me how to sew and would always help me with all the projects I dreamed up.

She’s like a trading ship that sails to faraway places    and brings back exotic surprises.

Whenever my grandparents went on a trip, they brought little treasures for us grandkids. They always were thinking about us.

She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast    for her family and organizing her day.

Grandma did all the cooking, and she was an AMAZING cook. She always made her own bread and was known for her pies.

She looks over a field and buys it,    then, with money she’s put aside, plants a garden.

She loved flowers and had beautiful gardens. Strawberries, raspberries and rhubarb were grown in her garden as well.

First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,    rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.

Her hands were always busy with cooking, baking, gardening, canning, keeping a home, playing the piano, sewing or giving amazing back rubs. Her hands were never idle.

She senses the worth of her work,    is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.

She never sat still, even when she came to my parent's house, she was always ironing or doing something to help my mom out.

She’s skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,    diligent in homemaking.

She was creative, coming up with outfits and many sewing projects. I remember she had a room that was solely devoted to sewing with boxes of fabric and thread. I loved spending time there, because it 
meant we were making something together.

She’s quick to assist anyone in need,    reaches out to help the poor.

She loved to share her baked goods with other and in her later years, she would spend time wrapping shoeboxes for the the Operation Christmas Child shoe box project.

She doesn’t worry about her family when it snows;    their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.

She made clothes for all her family and even would clothe my dolls.     

She makes her own clothing,    and dresses in colorful linens and silks.

Grandma always dressed beautifully. I only saw her in pants when she was gardening, otherwise she was in a dress or skirt and always accessorized with a pretty pin. 

Her husband is greatly respected    when he deliberates with the city fathers.

 My grandfather was well-known in their small community with his feed business. Everyone had great things to say about him as well.  

She designs gowns and sells them,    brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.

She sewed her sister's wedding dress.

Her clothes are well-made and elegant,    and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.

She had the most warm and beautiful smile.   

When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,    and she always says it kindly.

  She was always so kind, but did have a bit of spunk to her.

She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,    and keeps them all busy and productive.

Whenever us grandkids were at our house, she always found new things to do with us or keep us busy with things such as helping her with dishes, picking strawberries with her or helping her bake.

Her children respect and bless her;    her husband joins in with words of praise:

She was so loved by my family and will be very missed.
 “Many women have done wonderful things,    but you’ve outclassed them all!”

Everyone had great things to say about her, especially about her fabulous pies. 

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.    The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.

 Grandma was a beautiful woman. I love looking at all the pictures of her when she was young; some of her photos look like she was a movie star. But Grandma didn't have just outer beauty, she had inner beauty as well.

Give her everything she deserves!    Festoon her life with praises!

It was so apparent the woman she was because everyone had a kind thing to say about her this past week. She left a legacy and made so many precious memories with us. Grandma made such a impact in my life and really invested time in me. I was truly blessed to call her my grandma. My brother said a famous quote at the funeral that was so fitting to remember - 

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”


2 comments:

  1. I know it is hard for you. Loosing my Grandma last may I still have ups and downs and miss her lots. Those memories you have of her the the most beautiful thing you can hold on to.

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  2. Autumn- This was so beautifully written.If you're grandma was her-I know she would just smile. She indeed was a very beautiful lady. I would always love just to sit and talk with her. Just to hear her laugh always made me smile-still does. Heaven was made brighter when she went Home.Hang on to your memories of her

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