Grief is one of those things that takes time. I was blessed to share 33 years of earthly friendship with Donna. We raised our babies together. Our lives were woven with the threads of faith, friendship and family. One of the best days ever was when our oldest children said "I do" and made that "family" connection official.
This is an old Pumpkin Festival Parade Picture and one of my favorites of the two of us. We both loved seeing the school kids we knew. Her students adored her. It was obvious. Her delight in seeing them in the parade was one of the highlights for me.
Donna's heart was one of her best parts. She had the observational eye of a teacher that saw beyond the surface or behaviors and recognized a child's need. Walker told a story on the day of her funeral I will never forget.
There was a little girl in Walker's class who was struggling. Walker remembers Donna teaching math on an overhead projector (yes... that makes him sound old, but it was almost 20 years ago). The little girl fell asleep and the other children noticed. They giggled as children do. Donna paused and simply said, "She's having a hard time right now. She needs to sleep." And with that said, she matter-of-factly returned to the math lesson, shutting down any giggles.
Her respect for the child's needs was placed before her personal agenda. She demonstrated a kindness that imprinted on my son's heart and the memory has remained for almost two decades. Never underestimate the power of kindness.
She (and Jeff) raised the most amazing young woman who turned out to be the answer to a lifetime of prayers for the perfect wife for Chase. We adore Emma and are so grateful for the many ways we see her mother reflected in her life.
This is Donna's first birthday in Heaven. We know God is sovereign, and we trust His heart... but we miss her. A pre-Covid Bible Study we did together pointed to one verse that I quote here often. We would say it to each other. One would start it and the other finish it. This one verse sums up how we can act like Jesus.
"Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep." - Romans 12:15
She lived this out in her daily life, and I am so grateful for the lessons she taught by the way she served her Lord and those around her.
Today, I am grateful for the lessons Donna taught.
No comments:
Post a Comment