If It’s Monday, It’s Mama 

B is for Beneloventia and Betty….. 

Life changes at the foot of the Cross….. 

Life is forever altered at the foot of a beloved Papaw’s grave…….may all those lessons you have learned this past week as you celebrate the life of your precious Papaw be put on fire in your heart and in your spirit and in your life. 

As we enter our fourth year of “If It’s Monday, It’s Mama”, I decided to start each week’s blog with a letter of the alphabet, so this is Week “B”.  By year’s end, we will have gone through the alphabet two times. 

 

B is for Benevolentia and Betty (Mamaw)

Benevolentia is Latin for kindness and benevolence, which is what you witnessed among your family this weekend as you laid to rest your 85 year old Papaw.  When one is drawn to the foot of another’s grave, in the lives of most people, grace for one another replaces all that which is opposite of grace.  unLove becomes LOVE, unForgiveness becomes FORGIVENESS, unCharity becomes Charity for one another.  And, those who embraced Him, act on this. 

Beneloventia…..Goodwill…..Endearment 

You were blessed to witness these things this weekend as you lay your Papaw James McKenzie to rest.  Little kindnesses and generosities…..warmer hugs…..people reaching out who had not before.  All in the name of family and all in honor of Papaw. 

I challenge you…..don’t let your Benevolentia stop now that the flowers cover the grave of your Papaw and life has moved to the first and second and third…..sixth day after his going home. 

Keep alive that sweetness and tenderness you felt as you were honoring him.  Don’t wait for others to lead you.  And, share it with others.

You became a woman the day you laid your Papaw in the ground just as your brothers became men.   

Be womanly and Godly in your life as you move forward…..in honor of your Papaw and in HIS name…. 

Did you know that Betty is the feminine diminutive for Elizabeth?  So, you and your Mamaw Betty are connected via your names….and, I think that is why you have always had a special place in her heart as “her sweetie girl” and as Papaw’s “my girl.” 

Mamaw is on a road she has not traveled before.  She has watched her sisters journey alone but it is different when you take to the path on your own. 

And, while she is one of the strongest women I know, I am touched by how you have reached out to her during your Papaw’s passing.  You did a good job trying to get to see her over the holidays, standing up to your employer in insisting you have Thanksgiving off so you would be with them and then again battling for Christmas to be with Grammy and Poppy.    

Precious are the things you and Mamaw have shared this past week….little memory gifts from God bonding granddaughter to grandmother all the rest of the days of your life and teaching you all along the way how to be a good grandmother when it becomes your time. 

I know you cherish sleeping those first two nights with your Mamaw, listening to her speak of Papaw and other sacred Mamaw/Granddaughter things, some of which you have shared and some of which you hold close to your heart, as you should. 

I am grateful for the late night calls you are making to your Mamaw when you know she is alone and lost…those hours alone before bedtime where she would  normally spend time with Papaw.  Hearing your laughter as you speak to her is precious music to my ears.  Keep it up…..keep calling and sharing and loving….. 

It will be a gift you treasure always…..these moments with your grandparents….all of them. 

I love you, Daughter.  I love everything about you.  Your sweet spirit, your Godly heart, even your times of weak humanity because I can see you striving to do better, to persist, to grow. 

THAT is what life is about….growing….striving with one another and being kind and compassionate and loving to one another through the journey. 

Benevolentia. 

Blessings,

 

ILYAOYMC,

Mama

PS.  This week's Monday became Tuesday because I journed to Paintsville to pay respects to your Papaw and visit your little brother, Joseph and to pray.  It was the bitter-sweetest journey ever.  Thanks for your support.