The Whip-Poor-Will Song: In Memory of Naomi

A warm, soft hand holding mine. It, the lingering touch after a farewell hug, conveyed a deep and compassionate love.  The hand contained uncounted wisdom and knowledge, from the deftness and strength of pulling weeds and plucking chickens to the tenderness and skill of planting seeds and adding just the right amount of sugar to elderberry dumplings. It healed countless colds and aches of growing children, created thousands of meals to load a humble kitchen table, and mended pants, shirts, dresses, bonnets, and jackets. Such joys and sorrows these hands experienced through life, the splinters and scrapes.. the applause.. the pages of books turned gently, but frequently enough to wear the edges.

...just like the books read as a child on the old red sofa, the hand told so many tales.. combined to form the great story of my grandmother's life.

That particular day, Grandma wore a dark purple dress.. one that I always thought to fit her regal spirit and noble heart.  Nothing about that day stands out except the dress and the "handshake" (though such a term belittles the moment) given in farewell.  And it would be our final farewell.

Gracious...Joyous
Child-like Wonderment
Steadfast Love...Long-Suffering
Humble
Welcoming...Giving
God-Fearing

These words exemplify the woman named Naomi, who's quiet life blessed the world. The list could be expanded exponentially, particularly to include cook, baker, and gardener.  Gardener come to mind because the patio flowerbed is in shameful condition and needs to be given tender loving care.. and baker comes to mind because the directions "put elderberries in pan with water, sugar, cornstarch and lemon" require channeling of her baking sense to create delicious elderberry dumplings.

I am not unaware that yesterday marks the 8th year anniversary of her departure from this sad old world. But, it's also not a thought generally in mind. Sunsets.. sweet smell of summer flowers.. the chirp and flurry of birds.. smell of elderberry dumplings.. the taste of meatballs and macaroni.. and singing..  these bring Grandma like thoughts to mind. Grandma lived life in a forgiving, joyous manner.. and I took it to heart. A particular example is walking into her memorial service stifling chuckles because while walking down the sidewalk I had just landed rather ungracefully on the hard, cement sidewalk after slipping on black ice.

When listening to stories from my father and aunt/uncles' childhood, I wonder how much more wisdom and knowledge I would have gleaned from Grandma's life if I spent the last eight years helping to weed flowerbeds, learning mysteries of baking, tracking down family trees, searching for a bird's identify, or simply listening.  Eight years ago... I'd just started adult life, but barely started living.  At various times over the last near decade, perhaps when I'm feeling particularly down trodden or alone or lost... I sense the last touch of Grandma's hand in mine, it's nearly palpable.

"...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives, in all godliness and holiness" - 1 Timothy 2:2.  Though Timothy spoke about praying for governmental leaders, I've always associated the verse with the quiet, obedient, and gracious life of Grandma.

Now, don't assume the quiet Mennonite woman in dresses and white hair covering with flour on her apron is without fire and spirit though! Oh No!  She quickly and authoritatively takes care of the snake intruding her well maintained lawn.. and with a quick, sharp tongue she corrects negative speech in her presence. If Grandma were a superhero, she would be Captain America - fighting for justice, bringing unlikely people together, staying with the old-fashioned but willing to try new ideas, and remaining fearless in the face of evil and hardship... though she would not dress in his attire!  I wish there was a memory bank of images and sound clips to place here.. it would definitely create tears and laughter aplenty!

...and a high soprano is heard, "Whip-poor-Will"...

In Memory.. "of a life so beautifully lived, of a heart so deeply loved".