Thankful {Doll Edition}

Since it's Thanksgiving week, I thought I would take this time to write about the things for which I am thankful. For day 1, I would like to honor my grandmother that I called, "Doll." Her birthday would have been November 11. I couldn't let November go by without honoring her. I can't wait to see her classy self when we meet again one of these days.

I wrote her eulogy when she passed away in May.

I'm glad I came across it again because it of course reminds me of her, and it causes me to be thankful for the years we had her. Here is just a glimpse of who she was:

"We gather together to honor a woman who touched us deeply in so many different but wonderful ways. All of them consistent: all of the good. You may know her as Joan, Momma, or as I call her, Doll. Many of you have more memories of her or clearer memories than I do, but we all knew who she was as a person.

I can remember going to her furniture store. I just loved going there. The things I remember the most about that store is the old cash register, the old fashioned tub, the smell, and sweet,put-together Doll. Nothing would bother her about all the kids running around, as I'm sure we were a handful. She was so graceful about everything: from frying bread dough to making pralines to keeping her skin looking younger than young.

It's a very rare thing when people have consistent things to say to describe a person, and even more rare when it's all good things! Galatians 6:22 says the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Doll had all of those; all of the time. I have days when I haven't possessed a single one.

I now challenge myself and I now challenge you to be classy like she was. To be kind like she was. To be patient like she was. To be loving like she was. And ultimately, like in 1981, accept Christ as she did was unyielding faith.(Ephesians 2:8-9). It's hard for me, as I'm sure it is for you to make sense of this last decade in Doll's life. We must know that God's ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8). Be comforted to know that our Doll is dancing in Heaven with our Maker not because of her wonderful nature, but because of her decision to walk by faith and to walk with Christ."

Doll suffered with Alzheimer's for about 15 or so years. The only thing I would have added to what I wrote back in May would have been lyrics to a particular song written by Ginny Owens. Doll never heard this song or these words, but I know that her heart sang these words in her own, sweet way.

"If You Want Me To"

The pathway is broken

And The signs are unclear

And I don't know the reason why You brought me here

But just because You love me the way that You do

I'm gonna walk through the valley

If You want me to

Chorus:

Cause I'm not who I was

When I took my first step

And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet

so if all of these trials bring me closer to you

Then I will walk through the fire

If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen

When you lead me through a world that's not my home

But You never said it would be easy

You only said I'd never go alone

So When the whole world turns against me

And I'm all by myself

And I can't hear You answer my cries for help

I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through

And I will go through the valley If You want me to