Purple

Yesterday, the mister and I attended the Memorial Service to celebrate our friend Elaine's life. Elaine was fifty-two years young, but I am thankful that she has gained freedom from just the sort of loss that those of us who will miss her are experiencing. In the service, there was an opportunity to share memories of Elaine. During that time, I chose to sit quietly and appreciate the words others.

Today, there is a need to offer a bit of tribute to Elaine, whose passing we have just marked, and to my "Mammy" whose birthday I observe today (despite the nine years since she went to be with the Lord).

These two ladies each had a tendency to let one know exactly what was on their minds--- whether one wanted to hear it or not. And there was never a question of their love, because each one took the opportunities available to express it. Neither lived a long enough life for those who knew them, but both lived full lives. And both expected to claim Eternal Life.

Elaine demonstrated that, even if one might not have as many resources as some others, there is never too little to give abundantly those who have need. She kept an eye out for those needs, and took opportunities to share her kindness with all who would accept her ministrations. Offering help, rather than waiting to be asked, is a lesson engraved on my heart and mind in some part because of her generosity. And that generosity of spirit is paid forward as those for whom Elaine cared, care for others.

Mammy taught me to dream, create, and see both beauty and potential. Mammy painted, sketched, sewed, wrote, and generally dabbled in all things crafty or artistic. She was both a pack rat born of the Great Depression, and a religious recycler who consistently found ways to reuse or repurpose the odds and ends she collected. She was a great communicator by letter, by phone, in person, and even by e-mail (which she fully expected to function as IM). Today there is a joy and gratefulness in recognizing the many ways mentioned above, and so many more not put into type, in which these two dear ladies poured their care into me, into many others' lives.

Today, I will read When I am an old woman I shall wear purple... again because she Mammy loved it. And it describes her rather well. And I shall wear purple regardless of my age in memory of two precious ladies today.