I've been wanting to write a post about women who are a source of strength and inspiration in my life. The list of women to write about is long, though, and I'm exhausted from the end of the semester and some major projects. So, for now, I'll focus on just one woman, my grandmother, Betty Hersey.
One of the hardest things about living abroad is not being able to be near family when there is a crisis or a loss. Grandma Betty was the second grandparent I lost while living in Brazil, just a few months after losing my Mémère, and I wasn't able to be at the funeral of either one. Somehow I took more time remembering Grandma in words, likely because she and Grandpa were members of a church I used to go to, where her memorial service was held, and I wanted to share something with the people there. Mémère deserves a post all to herself, too, which will come one of these days, as will one for Grandpoopy, too.
The words in this remembrance are more religious than words I'm able to put together nowadays, even though they were written in the middle of a lengthy journey of deconstruction, unraveling many of the harmful elements of religion that are part of my past. Even so, and even though I'm still waiting to see where that journey will take me, and what kind of reconstruction might happen, these thoughts come from a sincere place in my heart, and seek to honor an amazing woman.
There’s an immeasurable gap left in our family, our church,
our community; your sunny corner chair no longer occupied by your quiet yet
powerful presence, ready to pick up the phone and spread love and encouragement
to dear ones far and near, to share a special book or to offer up a quick and
potent prayer, to hum a hymn or give advice or to be the only one bold enough
to yell, “NO, JOE!” when the situation called for it.
Cute as a button, pretty in pink, with your blue eyes
shining such a depth of wisdom; and like in princess stories, birds and flowers
seemed to accompany your sweet speech, even as all the while you listened
closely and made each child feel exceptionally valued and deeply cherished. We
all found healing and renewal from being wrapped up in your strong embraces,
especially when they were accompanied by a word of affirmation whispered
resolutely or a prayer lifted up in full assurance of it being answered in just
the right way.
You lived and breathed Jesus, and his love, like honey,
flowed through every part of you. Your generosity was unsurpassed, yet done
discreetly, as you and Grandpa, an intrinsically united team, sought to bless
many people in a myriad of ways. You modeled an exemplary marriage, exceeding
most mortals in your immense patience, and dazzling us with your whole-hearted
dedication to building your home into a prayer-soaked haven, where countless
individuals found a place of solace and refreshment, and caught a glimpse of
God.
As we ache in your absence, we celebrate your ascendance,
and look forward to redemption and reunion, holding fast to our hope in Christ.
When we need a word of wisdom, we’ll reflect on what we’ve learned from you and
take to heart the truths that anchored your faith. When we’re missing your
mighty voice in prayer, we’ll grasp each other’s hands as we follow your
example to boldly and gracefully approach the Father with righteous requests,
knowing that your ever-powerful voice echoes our own from realms unseen. And
when we encounter the hurting, the wandering child, the weary seeking refuge,
the lost longing for a sense of home, we will extend our arms, our tables, our
hearts and embrace them with the divine comfort that we came to know through
you.
We are left with a legacy of the life you’ve woven together
with Grandpa, and it is our honor to have known it and to inherit it and to
attempt in some way to live it out and to manifest the unfathomable beauty of
the good news, which coursed in abundance through every part of your precious
life.
It’s with an intense blend of joy and sorrow that we see
this chapter come to a close and continue in a new one, ever richer for who
we’ve become and who we’re becoming all because of the way you walked with God,
letting him make you beautiful, reflecting more of his glory day by day. We love you, Grandma, and we hold on to the
faith, hope, and love that you lived, and await its fulfillment in our eternal
home.
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