I thank Quin for this incredible song, they were truly the wind beneath my wings.
There isn't a person in this world that was blessed with the most incredible grandparents that I was. Now I know that sounds a tad partial, but I am allowed since I was the proud and beloved granddaughter.
We can't know why some things happen but we can know that love and beautiful memories outlast the pain of grief
And we can know that there is a place inside the heart where love lives always and where nothing beautiful can ever be forgotten...
If I have learned anything down the years, it's that nothing beautiful in this world is really lost, those we cherish will always live on in memory.
My wonderful grandmother Mildred and my grandfather Noah, my fathers parents. I did not know him as well, since he passed away when I was twelve years old, but I remember his humor and his great love.
I used to sit by the hour and brush Grandmas hair in the hammock, it was a great joy for me. She would tell me stories of my father, probably not to his liking I am sure. *smile*
Mildred Thomas Rothwell was married very young(16)to Noah Rothwell and the couple had 5 boys and 1 girl (whom did not survive). She had a very hard life because much of the time they had relatives living with them. She was a stay at home mom until the boys were grown. She had a big garden and if you ate it at Grandmas house, you can believe she canned it. She was a widow at age 55 and went to work as a nurses aid to support herself. She worked, by choice, until her mid 80's, when she was compelled to retire. She was an avid and very hard worker in her church and many, especially me, called upon her great wisdom many, many times. She is now 93 and living in Westfiel, N.Y., where three of her sons live and visit daily. I get up to visit as often as I can. I Love You, Grandma!!
My beloved Grandmother, Mildred, passed away April 18th, 1999. It is with a heavy heart that I add this,
but also with a thankfull heart that I was allowed to
have this miraculous woman in my life.
Noah Rothwell was a farmer. With the help of the boys, he farmed many acres and managed a herd of milk cows as well. He was a talented wood worker and carpenter, which he did when he could find the time. He also worked at a furniture factory. He had arthritis and when in his early 50's, he had a massive heart attack, from which he did not survive. He was the first of my beloved grandparents to ascend to be with his lord and savior. I know he has been smiling down and watching over all of us these many years. I miss you, Grandpa!
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Always take time to smell the rose. Life is very short. Do the
things that make you happy before it is too late. For a short
time the rose is beautiful. How quickly the petals fall. Life is
like that.
My wonderful Grandmother and Grandfather Smith, Lillian and Fernando, my mothers parents. What a very special pair they were, as long as you didn't take a car trip with them! *smile*
It is often said, by family members who are no doubt jealous, that I have my grandmothers heavy foot. She took a bunch of the granchildren one day for a ride, and I don't even remember why, but we were on the tailgate of the old station wagon and she apparently was going 80 miles per hour. Well no one got hurt, and we had a great ride.
Nancy Lillian Edith Wright was born in 1905 and lived to be 92 years young. She was a writer, and I so wish I had inherited her wonderful talent. Her pen name was Nancy Moore. She also did many painting, most of them were of sceneries. She was talented in many areas including, cooking, sewing, and she ran a flower shop. She attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and while there ministered in the street meetings. She was a musician, playing the violin, organ, and other string insruments. She also often sang solo's in various churchs. She had six children, one which was adopted as a baby. She was married to my grandfather for over 60 years when he passed away. She was woman of the year twice, in Sherman, New York, the last time was when she was a young 89, I believe. She rode in the parade and was a great source of pride for all of her children and grandchildren. She was a constant source of encouragement and strength for me, as well as so many others. I miss you more than you can imagine, Grandma!
Fernando Smith was born in 1906 and lived into his late 80's. He attended Taylor University in Indiana. He and Grandma were married in 1925. He was a farmer and a bible teacher. A quiet unassuming man that had the strength of JOB. I have never known anyone to work so hard and steadfast for his beloved family. His last few years he was not well and needed constant care the last year of his life. He hated that, but was gracious and always always tender and loving with us all. I miss you Grandpa!
Shake It Off And Step Up
A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule.
The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer
heard the mule 'braying' -- or -- whatever mules do
when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing
the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule,
but decided that neither the mule nor the well was
worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called
his neighbors together and told them what had
happened... and enlisted them to help haul dirt to
bury the old mule in the well and put him out of
his misery.
Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the
farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and
the dirt hit his back... a thought struck him. It
suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel
load of dirt landed on his back... HE SHOULD
SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did,
blow after blow.
"Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step
up...shake it off and step up!" he repeated to
encourage himself. No matter how painful the
blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old
mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING
IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!
You're right! It wasn't long before the old mule,
battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY
OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL! What seemed
like it would bury him, actually blessed him...all because
of the manner in which he handled his adversity.
THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to
them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness,
or self-pity...THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG
TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE
POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT AND BLESS US!
Remember that FORGIVENESS--FAITH--PRAYER--
PRAISE and HOPE...all are excellent ways to "SHAKE
IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which we find
ourselves!
A few poems from Grandma Smiths Book!!
Sometimes
I long for a quiet place
Within a quiet wood
Where one can breath
Peace, as one should.
A small cabin there,
With a fence and a gate,
Through the dry brown leaves,
Where I can listen and wait,
On the woodland floor.
Together we'll go,Hand in hand,
To greet the flower faces
by our cabin door.
Touche'
He rode on a tall white horse,
Straight into my heart that day.
His jacket was torn, his cap askew,
And I fell in love, to my dismay.
I can still see his boyish smile,
And the blush on his suntanned face,
They are indelible in my heart,
A picture I've never been able to erase!
Believing
You have to believe in rainbows,
With pots of gold at the end.
You have to believe in flowers,
Growing just around the bend.
You have to believe in friendship,
Or you never will have a friend.
You have to believe in laughter,
When sorrow has come your way.
You have to believe in sunshine,
Though clouds may darken your day.
You have to believe in goodness,
When someone has gone astray.
You have to believe in praying,
Or you never will learn to pray.
It's believing that gives you courage,
To climb up on the ladder's rung.
It's believing that presses you on
When hope by a thread is hung.
It's believing that brings back youth,
When the heart is no longer young...
It's believing that gives you a vision,
For the thing that has never been done.
It's believing in the task at hand,
"Till the goal you are seeking is won.
It's believing that builds up trust,
In the heart where love has begun.
It's believing in believing, always!
That makes life worth living, my son.
