A Tribute Honoring My Memaw
Hey dear friends! It’s been a tough week. The celebration service remembering Memaw was on Tuesday at 11 AM. I was so very honored to be able to have a part in the service by reading this tribute…the eulogy. I’m posting it here because I want to have it somewhere forever and this is a good place to keep such things. I would love if you read.
The last two weeks have been full of reminiscing, memory making, tears, laughter and love as we cared for our beloved Memaw as she lived her last days after learning of her terminal illness. I’m thankful for the time we had to love on her, sing with her and say Psalm 23 together around her until that sacred moment when she drew her last breath. Surely if we had listened more carefully we would have heard the angels wings ready and waiting to carry her home.
She answered to many names. Memaw. Grandmother. Grandmama. She was Memaw to me and always will be. I’m speaking today to honor her memory.
Today is a celebration of her life. We grieve for ourselves. Not for her because she’s in such a better place with our dearest Granddaddy who we’ve been missing for nearly 17 years.
Memaw was what I like to call a “sweet firecracker.” She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She spent her life taking care of us. Her love language must have been acts of service and she loved on us with food. Delicious food. It’s a legacy that I hope follows for generations to come. Just a few weeks ago, while in the hospital, she wanted to get out of bed and fix us a meal of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans or butter beans with pound cake for dessert. I’m sure she would have had dr. pepper to drink too.
You may wonder why I call her a firecracker. If you knew her, you know she had no reservations about speaking her mind. Two days before she left us, she was ordering us around to do different things. I loved that precocious aspect of her personality.
Memaw was one of the most resourceful, frugal and creative people that I’ve ever known. She was the epitomy of tight-wad which brought out the most creative spirit in her. She was an incredible cook, fabulous seamstress, master gardener and food preservationist. She was always willing to teach us how to do different things. She taught me how to can tomatoes, cut corn off the cob and shell peas.
Memaw was also the spray paint master. I’m convinced that her spray paint love rubbed off on me. Every Spring, Memaw loved to give her backyard swing and outdoor furniture a new coat of white spray paint.
My family and I will never forget Memaw’s dislike of snakes. We will remember the time she crushed and buried our snake eggs and the time she fell trying to run up the hill behind her house after a snake. There was probably a snake memo that said to watch out for the old lady brandishing a hoe.
Memaw was the glue that brought us all together for holidays and family get togethers. May we honor the memory of both Memawand Granddaddy by our continued love for each other and our love and obedience to God. Their legacy lives on through us.
I’m thankful that Memaw was trusting Jesus when she left this earth for her heavenly home. She always had a tender heart toward the things of God. In the hospital, Dad began reciting these words and Memaw finished them…
“I need no other argument, I need no other plea. It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me.”
Today is not “Goodbye.” It’s just a “See you later.”
Thank you for walking beside me through this difficult time. I am so incredibly grateful.
xoxo
Myra
That is so very sweet! I like that it was more of a celebration of her life and your great memories of her than a sad eulogy. Like you said, you WILL be seeing her “later”.
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Beautiful tribute to a life that we now know through you gave to many.
Myra,
What a beautiful eulogy! So thankful you were able to participate in her home-going celebration and honor her, as well as your grandfather. Thanks for sharing…..praying for you and your family.
Blessings,
Lanita
Thank you for sharing. The eulogy for your Memaw makes me wish I had the pleasure of knowing her. I’m so glad that she gave you and your family such a “Goodly Heritage”. Sounds like she lived a life for the Lord with no regrets! A life that was fit to follow 🙂
Praying for you!
Misty
What a beautiful tribute to your Memaw! I am so very sorry for your loss.
She sounded like a beautiful lady! I pray that you feel God’s enduring comfort in this time! xoxo
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Big hugs to you.
Well that’s lovely. It’s such a small thing (kind of, in the scheme of things) but shelling peas is something I am glad in retrospect I “had” to do. My kids are a little worse off for the lack of late evenings spent on the porch with jobs like that. And I agree on the hymn lyrics too – such a part of my childhood. Blessings; she sounds like she was wonderful.
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Very sweet words.
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Memaw was what I like to call a “sweet firecracker.” — It sounds like you’re carrying on her spirit, sweet friend. 🙂 This is beautiful.
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<3
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Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this tribute to you Memaw. It really blessed my heart and she would have been so proud of you to have haerd this. May GOD continue to bless and comfort you and your family in the days to come. We will all be together one day and hopefully soon..love and prayers..
Dear Myra, I’ve never written to you before & have only recently been following your blog; however, I was touched by the story of your dear Memaw and my heart hurts for your loss. I can see the strong family resemblance in your photos & one can clearly tell what a loving and wonderful lady your Memaw was. I will pray that the days ahead in your life are blessed ones and that your pain may be gently eased with time. Thank you for sharing such a loving tribute and memories. Karen
Oh sweet friend! This just totally brought tears to my eyes. My grandma and I are very close too and I can’t help but think of our relationship as I read your story. What a lovely lovely lady your Memaw was to you. Thank you for sharing her life with all of us online. She sounds like a Proverbs 31 woman, one that anyone would love to have as their example. I’m so glad that you have all those sweet memories of her. I find such encouragement in your words and how positive you are that it’s not goodbye but see you later. Thank you for sharing your heart today Myra!
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beautiful, thanks for sharing
Myra – Thanks for sharing the lovely tribute to your grandmother. My grandchildren call me “Mema” and I love it! Hoping your hearts heal in the days to come with the knowledge she is waiting for you with open arms.
So sorry for your loss. My mother is dying of cancer and probably only has a couple more months if that with us. I think she will be meeting Jesus sooner than later. God Bless you and your family.
You have a very special angel now in heaven. May you have many wonderful memories of your Mema. Grandmas are very special women.
I am so sorry for your loss.
You have been through a difficult time of love and loss for your MeMaw and have shown in a remarkable and tangible way your faith in the Lord Jesus as you have continued on in His strength. Your beautiful tribute will go on for years to come and be an inspiration for others who will travel this road someday. May the Lord continue to bless you and all of your family as you go forward bearing your pain and witness.
I’m so sorry for your loss. If I get to meet you at Haven this year, I’ll give you a hug in person! Until then, though, praying for peace and comfort. It’ll be a great reunion someday, won’t it?
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Very sweet tribute. Reminds me of my own grandma.
So sorry for your loss.
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Thank you so much for sharing it all with us
Your tribute is beautifully meaningful
and you didn’t forget that hint of humor that
gives Life its savor… even through tears…
I smiled at times because you seem to have
inherited a lot from your precious Memaw 😉
(I remember a post about a snake that you wrote)
Still praying for you all…
Warm hugs
Estelle
Oh Myra, this is so beautiful! I will be praying for you all tomorrow. I know it will be beautiful.
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Love you sweet friend. Prayed for you that week…and still praying as I know grieving takes time. Love to you,
shaunna
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