As Only Your Mama Can…..

It was four years ago in September that I wrote my first blog to you.  You were a college freshman at WKU.  So much has happened since that time. Some wonderfully happy things, some painfully sorrowful things….some things which brought praise to our heavenly Father, some which only He could love us through.

My daughter….my precious, precious daughter…..we have been through so much together.  And all of it….ALL of it….I can honestly say, I have heartfelt thanks.  Some things drew us apart….but, oh so many things brought us together…

 Together…..you and I

 

 

 

Together us and HIM 

Truth is….you deserve the best life has to offer.  The very very best….and, truth is… 

I am not that best. 

But, for some reason, God gave you to me as His gift and I have come to understand that He does not make mistakes.  I may.  You may.  But, he does not.

So, we are together through this life to help one another make it through the rough, tough times and to celebrate the wonderful, joyful times.

And, I think we do that….

Do that very well. 

As I close out this year of blog writing through the alphabet…A through Z, I have special joy in my heart for the opportunity to be your Mama, Mother, Mommy, Mom….to be your friend…..and, I praise Him for the opportunity…

Z is for Zariba, zsiag, Zion with a little bit of zorroant thrown in for good measure! 

Z is for Zariba.  Zariba is a fortified camp.  Fortified means to strengthen, make stronger, tougher, able to resist.  A camp is a short term accommodation. 

That is our life.

Not just the kind of house we live in…but the kind of soul in which we reside. 

Life can be hard.  It can be tough.  Sometimes, it is our own decision making which makes it tough….but, sometimes, it is just the act of living which is tough…..what makes a difference is the foundation on which we build our life and the type of fortified camp we create. 

When we have as our foundation the truths of God….when we build our “house upon the rock”…..then if the trials come….when the trials come….wherever they make present hardship into our lives…we can be ready….and able….to stand.

Baby….you have personally witnessed seasons of living in a fortified camp and seasons when you did not live in a fortified camp.  We both know which is better…..more live-able, more calm.

My greatest prayer on your and your brother’s behalf is that you build for yourselves a strong and mighty fortress to live….build by the saving grace of a loving God….with Godly hands and hearts who would pour into your very foundation a mighty and masterful and strong home….life….walk with God.

Chose to live in a ZARIBA……a mighty fortress fortified by God. 

Z is for Zsiag.  Zsiag means the essence of being fabulous.   

Sometimes, as we age, we think we have to let go of our child-like wonder.  Don’t. 

The best most wonderful most lovely individuals I know are strong and thoughtful adults who have the heart for and like a child. 

They understand that God has made so many wonderful, magical things for us to enjoy…. 

The break of waves on the beach, the cotton-candy colored sunrises, the laughter of a child, the holding of a little baby’s hand, the smell of a new born's neck.

These things are not just sweet…and darling…. 

They are fabulous….outstanding…wonderful….even magical. 

Enjoy the fabulous!!   

Live the fabulous….. 

And, make no apologies to thanking a creative God for all the fabulous things He has given us! 

Z is for Zion.  Zion is a place of Christian life and worship emblematic of the household of God. 

There is an old song, “We Are Marching to Zion…Beautiful, Beautiful Zion”…….. 

It’s where the heart of God lives….within the heart of us.

You will walk all your life in a march either toward Zion or away from Zion. 

March toward, precious daughter. 

Understand the gift you have of your Christian faith….embrace it and walk it. 

And understand…

Zion is not just a place you seek to live… 

It is a place you seek to “be”….. 

Where the presence of God is felt deep within your heart….where your soul clings to His hand, where your head lays at rest on His shoulder and where you can lay down your burdens at His feet.

Zion...the household of God 

Walk there…..on purpose…. 

Z is for Zorroant.  Zorroant is an anonymous, generous person. 

Be that baby.  

Be an anonymous, generous person. 

Go…give…do…be… 

In Jesus’ name, be a giver…. 

Of your heart, your soul, your personhood. 

Of your finances, your work ethic, your personal wealth. 

Do it not for your own glory or reward 

Do it for His Glory....

And, do it often. 

Don’t give to the point of broken-ness in your own life so that those who watch you live see it as a burden they would not want to adopt. 

Give as we are taught by the ultimate Gift giver so that others who witness your giving see the love and holiness of Christ…

So that they want to come to know Him..

Giving is really receiving….. 

Receiving the heart of Christ so that you can give the love of Christ. 

Go forth…do it 

Do it often 

In His name

For His glory 

And on purpose. 

Finally, sweet daughter….I share with you my most favorite song…. 

I cannot imagine the numbers of times I have played, listened to…cried, prayed….this song in the past five years.  God used it to minister to me during the most sorrowful time of my life….he used it to walk me through until I once again felt the sunshine of His love on my face. 

Until I could breathe again…. 

God is like that…. 

Walking beside us…sending us precious…tender….loving little reminders that  

HE IS WITH US…. 

Always 

In All Ways….

 

The Prayer

I pray you'll be our eyes
And watch us where we go
And help us to be wise
In times when we don't know

Let this be our prayer when we lose our way
Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe

La luce che tu hai
I pray we'll find your light
Nel cuore restera
And hold it in our hearts

A ricordarci che
When stars go out each night
L'eterna stella sei

Nella mia preghiera
Let this be our prayer
Quanta fede c'e
When shadows fill our day

Lead us to a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

Sognamo un mondo senza piu violenza
Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
Simbolo di pace e di fraternita

La forza che ci da
We ask that life be kind
e il desiderio che
And watch us from above

Ognuno trovi amore
We hope each soul will find
Intorno e dentro a se
Another soul to love

Let this be our prayer
Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Just like every child

Need to find a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

E la fede che
Hai acceso in noi
Sento che ci salvera

 

This song is my reminder that He never leaves us…is always with us…..

His zorroant to us……our gift from one we do not see….

But, ONE we can know….

Deep, deep within our heart, our soul….our being…

Who will walk us to Zion….who will be our Zariba, our fortified camp and who will do it Zsiag….

Fabulously.

God go with you, sweetest daughter….

I love you as only your Mama can….

In His name….

With Thanksgiving in my heart

That he gave me a great gift….

In you.

Blessings,

Mama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is all........

 

…..love held in suspense awaiting those precious words, “I will” 

…..the moment a child arrives and parents are born

…..when kneeling beside my children in silent prayer of thanksgiving  

…..a brother is found  

 

.....a parent is healed 

…..life-long broken heartedness is repaired with three simple words, “please forgive me”  

…..when one gets to the bottom of oneself and arrives at the beginning of God 

…..a precious friend hears the news, “the cancer is leaving” 

…..the sound of ocean waves on the spot where God lives in one’s heart 

 

…..the judge gifting family to us in the form of our nephew and niece 

…..the laughter of my children and my children’s children yet to come 

…..a Daddy and Mama whose hearts live now and will continue living then 

…..childhood friends whose memories keep yours in check…..with laughter 

…..celebrating the lives of those who made your own life a gift 

…..human-kind when we choose love and service over all other things 

…..knowing when to speak and when to grow silent

…..humble acceptance of all things, trusting…..and trusting again 

…..a husband whose love covers in ways no soft-warm blanket ever could 

…..souls who come into your life and draw out your most holy self 

…..our love letter from God 

…..the sweetness which comes from HIS sacrificial giving for MY surrendered living 

It is all……. 

GRACE

As Only Your Mama Can……. 

Y is for Youth, Greek Gamma Symbol “ϒ” and Young 

Y is for youth……

Youth and being youthful is not simply an age, it is a state of being, existing, living. It is a season in our life where so many things are new to us, where we are learning, growing and developing who we are and who we will become.  For some, our youth is filled with glorious experiences joy, and laughter where we can’t wait to get out of bed in the morning to let the fun begin and where we beg to stay up late so that our day can last even longer….a magical season where growing flowers with your Mama and climbing trees with your brothers….where baking chocolate chip cookies and making homemade Christmas presents and swinging full out on the swing are daily parts of your existence.   

And, I sincerely believe that it is during our season of youth that we begin to know God…..perhaps never in our lives are we so clearly able to see God in all of his splendor as in our youth where our view of the world is sweet and innocent and joyful. 

You were a child whose love of God spilled forth from your life in a sweet and precious way….you were enamored with the stars so we lay out on the roof of our home to examine them.  You wondered how high grew the tree in our back yard, so you climbed to the top.  You wanted to fly like the birds so we made you wings and you jumped from the picnic tables.  I will cherish always the way you would hold your little hands over my very pregnant belly, with your brothers, and listen to you giggle as they would kick your hands…”Mama, watch….Mama watch” you would tell me as their kicks seemed to follow the warmth of your body.

I love how it is written in Ecclesiastes 11:9 

“you who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth….remember your Creator in the days of your youth.”

You were clearly a child of God then as I know you are a woman of God now.  And, I believe with all of my Mama’s heart that you brought great joy to our heavenly Father in the sweet way you seemed to love just being you….young, sweet, innocent…. 

Delightful…. 

Baby, being youthful is a choice.  And, the great thing about growing older is that you don’t have to forgo the wonderful things of your youth…you can still have a youthful heart.  You just twine that youthful heart with maturity and grace and wisdom which comes from age…. 

You have a wonderful example of that in your Grammy and Poppy…..watch them closely….follow their footsteps….for they have figured out that while God calls us to obedience and Holiness, He also calls us to delighting in our lives…..

 Delight in your life, baby…….and, do it on purpose! 

Y is for the Greek symbol “Gamma” 

There is no “y” in the Greek Alphabet; however, there is the symbol for Gamma which is ϒ.  I started not to use this until my research indicated that this symbol stands for “loyalty”……and, I like that. 

Loyalty defined is “faithful adherence to a sovereign cause”.   Isn’t that beautiful? 

You and I have talked a lot about loyalty….because we have been personal witness to its opposite and we understand the value of being loyal….. 

Baby, if there is one thing I want to encourage you to be, it is to be loyal. 

Be wise in whom you give your loyalty to, but when you have chosen….then...

Be loyal from the beginning…..until the very end 

Be loyal to God in how you spend yourself...your thinking, speaking, living

Be loyal to your husband….in your behavior, words and love

Be loyal to your children….in your commitment to mothering, loving and caring for them

Be loyal to your family…

Be loyal to your friends…

Be loyal even to your enemies…..not standing and allowing them to strike your heart but in praying for them and theirs

And, sweetheart…..most of all…. 

Be loyal to yourself….

You are God’s girl made whole and delightful and lovely.  God is growing you into a beautiful woman, with a great heart, a deep spirit and a precious soul……love, nurture, grow and develop yourself on purpose every single day knowing that you are here for a God-given purpose…..so, be loyal to HIS guiding, leading and molding of you.

Y is for YOUNG…. 

As you know, when I was a young girl who crushed on Ian, his Daddy would tell me, “well, honey, if you marry my son you will be young all of your life.”  He said that to me often from the time I was about thirteen until I was eighteen and possibly a few times even after that.  At the time, I thought that was his way of saying I would remain youthful….but, as I think on his words now while married to his son, I think he was telling me even more…. 

Being a Young is a blessing. 

This reality became evident to me as Ian and I visited his parent’s home place this past weekend.  We went to Williams and Bedford Indiana where Ian’s Mama, Dorothy Young was born and raised.  And, his Dad was born in Terre Haute, Indiana.  

The Young legacy was boundless….from the Church of Christ Dorothy attended as a little girl and then with her husband and son to the family home place, to the covered bridge to the gravesite where Dorothy and Herschell now rest their physical bodies, you could see evidence of their lives.   

And, while the Young part of your family is a graft to your personal family tree, it is a blessing to have that graft as a part of your life, your heritage, your spiritual development. 

Being a Young means a lot of things…..God first, family second; Commitment to the end; Personal Intelligence and Human compassion.  If you are a Young, you have excellent work ethic and a heart for others, you know how to give and as well how to graciously receive.  You understand that the Son rises on you…..but, just as well on others, that houses are just storing places for things we love but homes are where that love is shared and nurtured and treasured.  When you are a Young you understand that to know God is to love His children, to give sacrificially of yourself and to share what you have with those in need.   

And, in addition to being a Young, it became real to me that we now are also Maegerlein-Youngs.  Ian’s mother, Dorothy may be a woman you never personally met while here on this earth, but you are the beneficiary of her life through your ladder, Ian.  Dorothy was a sincerely Godly woman who gave her all to be His Girl, just like you are trying to do.  I met her sister, Carolynn, the twin image of Dorothy, and when I hugged her, it brought a flood of remembrances of those few times I ever hugged Dorothy.  What a blessing to add these two women to your family tree and spiritual journey.  Both are strong, determined and hard working.  Both raised equally strong and intelligent and Godly children.  But, most importantly, all are now a part of your Godly heritage…..and, a blessing to your…to our lives. 

Being a Young means you Love…love….love children, Christmas and dogs.  It means you love, love, love, love family, shaking hands and written notes.  It means that you will go the extra mile for another and sit an extra time to listen as someone speaks to you.  It means you will love studying His word and reading the words of others.  It means you will travel great distance to be together.  It means that while you may have differences, you will overcome them to remain in the circle of family.  

And, most importantly….being a Young means that God is your Father, Love is your labor and Grace is your gift. 

Blessings, 

ILYAOYMC,

Mama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Only Your Mama Can… 

Precious daughter, we are coming to an end of our “through the Alphabet” blogging….now into the letter “X” which I am finding to be one of the most difficult letters to date…..but, then, is it?  As I was awakened early this am with the urge to get going with your weekly blog, it became clear how to use “X” in my writing to you this week…..and, I think you will like…. 

X is for X-mas, X-ray and a working Cross…… 

X is for X-mas.  When you were born, I rarely saw Christmas spelled out as X-mas.  Truly.  I don’t know if I wasn’t paying attention or if the abbreviated use of Christmas was just not a popular term, but I don’t remember seeing it and when I did, it was typically written by someone in a hurry to get their writing done. 

Sadly, that same cannot be said in today’s holiday environment…..Not only do you have to work to find the word Christmas spelled out in full form, but when you do find the word, it is usually associated with a religious experience such as in a church and no longer a part of our daily living. 

Sweetheart…..notice these types of things…. 

I truly believe the simple removing of Christ from our Christmas and replacing Him with an X is indicative of a world moving toward un-Christ like living and into secular, worldly living. 

In our home…..Christmas is about remembering the birth of Christ…..Jesus……Savior. 

If we lose sight of that fact, we lose everything.  If we give way to replacing the precious name of our Holy Christ with an X, I am not certain our life can truly have any real and meaningful purpose. 

I don’t want only us to place His name around our home in bold letters and bake Him birthday celebration cakes.  Let’s not just put out our manger music boxes and hand-made nativity scenes…..all of those are good to remind our eyes of a heavenly savior….

Let’s do more…..let’s seek a presence, a quiet time, a celebration and yes, a season of worship….not just on December 25^th, but every day…..every day…….every day….. 

X is for X-ray 

An X-ray is a photograph of the inside of an individual in order to assist in the examination of that person (actually, it is more complicated than that, but for our purposes, this definition works). 

We don’t hear the term x-ray used as often as we used to for it has been replace with CT scan and MRI and other bigger, bolder procedures…… 

Basically, an X-ray is an examination of whatever is being x-rayed…….a taking of a closer look in an effort to see what activity is taking place within….. 

Something we need to personally do daily….often….as it is by taking such a self-examination that we are able to see how we are faring in this thing called life…… 

We are often encouraged to take the time to examine, to delve deeper, to seek the truth of our lives, our hearts, our souls….. 

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.  Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – Unless, of course, you fail the test.”  And Psalm 26:2 “Test me Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:40 “Let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord.”

And, there is a reason we are encouraged to examine ourselves…to x-ray our lives….because it is in the so-doing that we come to find the truth of our lives…. 

And, only in truth can we have the life God intended for us to have…..Holy and pure and passionate and praise-worthy.  Only when we get to the nitty-gritty and the “bare-bones” and the “give me the facts, only the facts” about ourselves are we able to find out who and whose we really are….. 

And, baby…..as God as my Holy witness…..that is all which really matters in this life…. 

That upon self-X-ray, self-examination, self-observation, you know whose you are…for whom you live….

And, all the in-between of your life should be an example to the world of this living…..so that whenever others x-ray the inside of you where God resides….where Christ is evident….where your spirit exudes…..

they see the love of Him 

Within the presence of you. 

“X” is for well……….. “X” 

You know….as I came downstairs to make my tea prior to writing this blog to you, it occurred to me that the “X” for which I was soon to attempt to write about is really a simple thing when viewed by itself….

It is a reminder of what weight on a cross will do…..we all have our crosses to bear in this life…..it is not just a simple fact, it is a promise. 

“whoever wants to be my disciples must deny themselves and take up the cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will save it.  What good is it for someone to gain the whole world but forfeit their very self.”   Luke 9:23-24 

Not only are we promised that we will be called to take up the cross daily…..but in the so-doing we must follow Him…and, Honey…we all know where that led here on earth…..to His death… 

But, do not be afraid….carry your cross and count it as a blessing as you are being prepared….in the most holy way possible to be ready….so that, when upon examination, you are found to be…

His… 

And, there is peace in knowing that you walk not alone…but, with Him…who has taken this path before you and lights the way so that your path is made clear….. 

And, Sissy……He has the power to protect, to provide, to keep promises made to you and to every other person who makes the decision to take up their cross and follow Him…. 

We know this to be truth for so many reasons…but, one of my favorites is this fact…. 

HIS is the only cross which does not give way to its weight….His is the only one which remains straight…and tall…and unbending. 

His cross stands upright and points our way…… 

ILYAOYMC,

Blessings,

Mama

At first, it comes in such smallish piles, mostly white items…these little girl undies and t-shirts meant to cover …. 

Then, it grows a little larger with colors more like rainbows and opportunity and self-examination all red and black and navy and yellow… 

And still, with professional work it grew a little more sophicated with hues of colors never seen prior and names attached…such as salmon and daffodil and Chanel and Victoria’s Secret…. 

Then, with marriage there was a lot of white and soft pink and sexy black and red, but mostly pink and light shades of my character because I was a girlie girl in that way…my quiet introspective self.

 As children came so did the soft cotton pregnancy panties and mama panties and cover your stretch-marks as best you can panties with an occasional hot pink attempt to be sexy for my husband size 8…no, truthfully, size 10.

During a season of single life when my dresser drawers were just as single my life returned the cotton whites and soft pinks and pale blues, the colors of comfort and peace… 

And, as current day and age and marriage to my sweetheart would allow, if you peeked into my dresser drawer you would find me….all shades of the rainbow representing all stages of my life and a confidence which comes with age and the slipping on of those items which hold and cover and protect.  You would see all sizes and shapes and curiously enough….

You would come to see a little piece of me….

With just a glance

Into 

My “personal”….. 

Laundry… 

 

 

 

As Only Your Mama Can…..

 

W is for Wayfarer, Worth (Latin=Excellentia) and Whisper 

My precious, precious daughter.  Tender is my heart toward you as I write this tonight.  Ladder is playing “The Greatest Commands” on the piano and as you know, this always melts my heart as do you. 

W is for Wayfarer.  A wayfarer is one who takes a journey, usually on foot.  I so enjoy this word.  Not only is it lovely in appearance, but it rolls off the tongue in a lovely way as well.  But, more significant to me is that when I think of the ultimate wayfarer, I think of Jesus.  Once he became an adult, he truly did not have an earthly home.  His live lasted only 33 years and yet, he traveled far and wide seeking to fulfill the goal His Father set out for him.  But, He always knew…Heaven was His home and it is yours as well.

You, too, dear daughter, are a wayfarer.  Your feet will travel many miles, God willing, as you walk this journey of life.  I so want it to be a wonderful journey for you.  I pray God smooth the path and make it clear.  I pray He joins in your steps and that He sends Godly people with whom you can share your trip. 

 A wayfarer, by nature, need be willing to go in faith and trust toward the destination God has set before her.  You may not always see out into the distance a clear path, and when that happens, that is when your prayers deepen and strengthen and take flight.  At other times, the path will be clear and strong and outlined for you and it is during these trips you may find seasons of respite and quiet and deep conversations with God. 

Enjoy being a wayfarer….enjoy each day…live in each moment….walk toward your purpose. 

Seek out the good, let go of the bad.  Forgive, forsake that which needs be forsaken and love. 

I pray God guide your precious feet each and every step of your way…. 

W is for Worth which in Latin is Excellentia.  When I was 13, Ian wrote out the whole passage of “The Wife of Noble Character” and gave it to me.  He told me tonight as we were walking around the neighborhood that he could tell I had a beautiful heart even when I was a young girl and that is why he gave it to me…. 

Can you understand what it means to have your husband tell you something as precious as that?  That even when you were young and forming and growing and developing that amongst all that crazy changing and molding and shaping that he could see I had a heart for God? 

Priceless

Especially when you and I both know that I am far from all of that….. 

But, what Ian did for me at 13 and does for me at 51 is enable me to see myself through God’s eyes…and, to God…..I am beautiful and lovely and pure and worthy.  What a beautiful gift he gives me by doing so…. 

What makes this especially precious to me is that Ian told me he saw the same heart in you….that yours is lovely and tender and kind.  That the heart he sees when he is with you is that of a young woman who loves and cares and gives.  That is strong and compassionate and fair.   

He sees you through the lens of our heavenly Father…..and, baby, that too is a gift.  That is what we all should do for one another…

Hold up God’s mirror to one another so that we can see ourselves as God sees us….. 

Beautiful….and lovely…. 

Excellentia…. 

Worthy….. 

W is for Whisper 

When you were little and I was trying to get your attention, I used to whisper to you.  As you got older, I continued that pattern and it worked.  You seemed to know that if I was whispering, I was speaking something important and you would give me your full attentiveness.   

I whispered when I would sneak into your bedroom at night as you lay sleeping and would quietly say I love you in your little ear

I whispered to you the words to your favorite book as you nodded off to sleep while I was reading…Good Night Moon 

I whispered to you to be quiet so that your baby brothers could sleep, and you did… 

I whispered prayers on your behalf as I lay on the floor outside your bedroom door when you were a teenager and out of sorts

I whispered my support as you laid your head on my shoulder and poured out your heartaches 

I whispered my gratefulness when you said you forgave me for not being the Mama you deserved… 

And, even now…..though you are living out on your own, I whisper my wishes and hopes and dreams for you to God, and I know He is listening…

I whisper praise for your heart and thanksgiving for your strength.  I whisper halleluiah when you succeed and hold fast to her heart when you are challenged… 

I believe with all of my heart that God hears the whispers of a mother as she lifts up her child to him… 

And, I will continue to whisper every day….. 

I love you

I’m proud of you

I am grateful for you

I am glad to be your mother 

And, I will keep whispering to God…. 

Thank you for this daughter

Praise you for this child 

And, I will whisper….and whisper and whisper….. 

Until I can whisper no more…. 

ILYAOYMC,

Mama

 

 

 

 

 

 

….As Only Your Mother Can 

Dear Daughter Madison,  today, October 6, is Ladder's mother's birthday.  She was a wonderful woman....and, while you will never know her directly, you see evidence of her through her son, so today's blog is written in her honor. 

Today is proof that how you live your life matters.  How you spend your time….it truly does make a difference.  What kind of person you are, the way you treat others, are you a prayer warrior, do you know His word? 

Are you making the most of the days He gives you on this earth?  Do you reach out to those in need?  Do you take care of yourself in a way which reflects God’s love for you?

Are you generous with your blessings?  Do you enjoy the little things this life has to offer? 

Do you love?

 

Today, we celebrate the life of Ian’s mother….Dorothy Magerlein Young.  And, while you were not blessed to know Dorothy, you can know about her because you know her son. 

Dorothy was an independent, intelligent, hard working woman.  She was a forerunner in “breaking the glass ceiling”  and you are where you are today in your profession due to women like Dorothy who had to be strong and tough and intelligent in order to survive in a man’s working world.  Dorothy worked as one of the top civilian women on Fort Knox being the administrative assistant to the Colonel on base.

To hear it told, “to get to the Colonel, you had to go through Dorothy Young”.   

I have known Dorothy since I was four years old, but I didn’t really know her other than being the mother of Ian Young, my first crush and love.  She intimidated me.  She was tall to my petite-ness (I now realize she was only 5’ 5”), she dressed to perfection, always kempt and hair in place.  She enunciated her words in a way which would make any professor of linguistics proud.  And, she had very discerning views of how a young lady should behave (I know this because she made me behave accordingly one time when I was with her son and some friends at her home).  

I do remember her asking me about myself a few times at church.  I could barely hear her words because I was so enamored with the hat and jewelry which she often wore.  She was the kind of woman around whom you stood up straight when you spoke and you definitely looked her in the eyes as she spoke.

And, while I didn’t know Mrs. Young well (as that is the way we regarded our elders), I do remember very clearly that she loved her only son in a fierce and motherly way.  She had high expectations for her first and only born and it was clear, even to a young girl like me, that she wanted only the best out of him and for him.

When Ian and I started becoming “friends” around the time I was thirteen, I got the sense that she started taking note of me.  I was an awkward young girl, all glasses and braces and freckles but, I do remember her making the observation to me that I was a work in progress.  At the time, I didn’t give her words much thought because she just casually said that to me and a friend, Susie, but now, I believe that was her way of letting me know I was going to be “okay.”

I don’t remember how old I was, but I do remember her kindness to me one time when I went to watch Ian play football at North Hardin High School.  Ian remembers the dress I was wearing (burgundy checked with a cinched waist and burgundy boots)!  I don’t remember much about the details of that evening…how I got to the game, who took me, how I got home, but I do remember being dressed up and locating Mr. and Mrs. Young in the stands and waving.  Dorothy waved me up to come sit with them and I did.  As I trudged up the stairs to where they were sitting, she patted the seat next to her and invited me to sit down.  She kept a running conversation asking me all kinds of questions until finally, I relaxed. 

I remember well when Ian and I were dating and he lived in Indiana with his grandmother (due to his job being there).  On weekends, when he would come home, he would come by my home first and watch Dallas with me my family prior to going to his home in Radcliff to stay with his parents.  Mrs. Dorothy didn’t care for that too much and let both of us know it!!  His Daddy would tease us and tell us we better get our priorities straight…and, we all had a good laugh! 

I wish I could have known Dorothy better.  longer.  more.  

She would have been a wonderful mother in law and grandmother to you and I have every confidence you would have been great friends.

But, though she has gone from us now, I can feel her presence every day….in Ian and the way he loves me and you kids, in the way he provides for our family.  I can hear her words in the way he speaks to all of us as he guides us through this life.  The discipline and focus and vision you see in him, I believe that comes from her.  As does the financial acumen, desire to take care of what we have and ability to get things accomplished quickly.  More of her. 

I am witness to her love for her son in the way she has documented the important stages of his life, carefully penning important events and milestones with little hand-written notes.

She has some of the sweetest photos of Ian as a baby…photos in which her love and tenderness for her baby boy is evident in the way she is holding him and looking at him. 

Dorothy was an adventurer, loving to travel and learn and explore.  This is one aspect of her which I did not know until going through her things and hearing Ian tell of their great journeys….Dude ranches, mountain climbing, beach dreaming, Alaskan adventuring…..she loved it all and I have loved seeing photos of her in some of her exploits…..

Dorothy was a lover of things beautiful and delicate and lovely.  This is evident in her silver tea set, and services.  The lovely crystal vases and carefully wrapped china.

Dorothy was an enjoyer of photos and keeping track of family history as evident in her albums and notes and documenting of their life.

Dorothy was a craftswoman…making beautiful quilts and crocheted blankets and hand stitched pillow cases.  My favorite is the handwork on the stocking she made Ian which we still hang lovingly on our mantel today. 

She was a note taker.  Almost every treasure Dorothy left Ian as his legacy of their family comes with little hand written notes explaining what is the item and from whom it came. 

 And, while she did have some lovely and beautiful things which she left behind for Ian, you don’t get the sense that it was the “things” which mattered to her but rather the connection these things had to the people in her life.

Dorothy has accomplished something with our family which I hope will be said of me when I have gone on to heaven…. 

She has made her presence in our home, our lives, our daily living known in a sweet and real and precious way.  Her legacy to us can be felt……

Through her Godly life

Through her love for her husband

Through her mother’s love for her son

Through her grandmother’s love for her grandson 

And, she has set the bar high for how we should live out our own life’s….with purpose, being present…..giving back to others.

So, on this day, we celebrate with thanksgiving a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend…. 

And, while you may not have known her in person…..her legacy to you is that you can know her through her son….your Ladder 

And, I believe, baby….that has already and will make all the difference in your life. 

THAT is her legacy to you…

ILYAOYMC,

Mama