Our family has just lost an incredibly important part of our lives recently – Mammy. She was known to me as Mary Ann, my mother-in-law, Mom to my husband, and Mammy to my children. But she was a lot more than that. She was a good friend, a generous host, a wonderful cook, a dedicated daughter, a faithful wife, and so much more. You were lucky if you had Mammy in your life.
All that being said, technically, she was far from perfect (if you find perfection on this earth, please let me know!). But even in her moments that were not the best, she was always well intentioned. As her youngest son shared at her funeral, she was just trying to tell you the best way to do things, and the best way just happened to be her way! (:=
I learned so much
I learned so much from that woman. She was the gracious matriarch of the family. I watched her closely because I didn’t have much of a clue on a whole lot of random things, like hosting a large party (she was literally an expert) or allowing the younger kids to make a mess and then patiently cleaning it up (I’m still working on that one). I so appreciated little things that she would do, such as how no one would ever sit alone when they ate at her house. Even if she wasn’t eating, she would sit with them. Her thoughtfulness was unmatched.
Her gift giving was off the charts, as well. But it was never random gifts she would throw at the kids, but well thought out gifts that each of her grandchildren loved. All 18 of them. She’d tell you that she was disorganized, but I don’t know many people who could hold a candle to her.
Simply the best
Mammy was not my mother, but she was the best mother in law that I could have asked for. She has left an enormous hole in the lives she touched and she will be unimaginably missed.
Of course, thinking about her life and how she touched the people around her made me think about the importance of a life well-lived…a beautiful life.
What’s your life melody?
We all have our flaws and shortcomings. But what does our life predominantly convey to those around us? Are we harmonizing with the melody that God has put in our lives? Are we bending our will to match who the LORD has made us to be, so that we can best live out the life God has called us to? Every life on earth is different, to be sure. God is clearly not boring and He likes all kinds of music. There are no two life melody’s that are alike. But will we fight what God has for us and do things our own way, or will we submit to living lives that are music to not only God’s ears, but the ears of those around us?
Our Mammy lived a beautiful life. She was the family matriarch. We all knew this day would come, but I think every person in the family just refused to think about it. Because, how could we? She was Mammy, and somehow, she was always going to be there. And yet, life happens and we must accept the reality of living in a world with the inevitability of death. Even death to those beautiful lives.
Thankful
I’m thankful for so many beautiful lives that have been lived. God has personally given our family Mammy for a season, and we are forever grateful. I pray we can learn from other beautiful lives, too, both from those the LORD allows into our lives personally, and those we can read about.
Praise God for His goodness and faithfulness, and for the beautiful lives lived out for us all to admire and learn from.
And Mammy, we will always love you and we already miss you so much! Thank you for all you were to me.
