I have this aunt. Nancy. Who is more than an aunt. More like a spiritual guide in my life. A mentor. A life coach. She's always been like this for me. So valuable. If you don't have a Nancy in your life .. that's just a shame. Everyone needs a Nancy.
Recently she and my uncle got their mission call. To where? Colorado Springs. Someone knows I needed her close. Am I lucky? Is is coincidence? Certainly not. I believe everything happens in life for a reason. Blessed? Of course!
When things go wrong (or right) in my life .. or I feel overwhelmed, Nancy is the one I go to. She always knows the right thing to say. Actually the medicine she usually gives is a good dose of reality. She has me look past the rain to see the rainbow. Pick your head up Alana ..
In fact, here's the latest 'Nancyism':
"Stop walking a tightrope Alana. Life isn't a tightrope, it is a broad path thru a beautiful meadow - which is littered with cow patties. Watch your step, but seek beauty along the way". Isn't she perfectly right?
She's a funny, brilliant, warm, witty, caring woman. I would trust my life in her hands. I have. I'll do it again. I don't know what I would do without her. The life lessons she teaches are invaluable.
I have folder after folder of quotes and stories and fun things she has shared with me over the years.
A new one came just yesterday that I wanted to share. We can all learn a good lesson from this story...
"My Grandmother – the one and only Margery May Adair Beers ..
How I loved coming home from school and talking to Grams. She always had time for us. She loved to hear about our lives and loved to share her own.
One day she told me a story that burns within me to this day.
She told how her brother had borrowed money from her (a widow with 5 little children) and had never paid it back.
Therefore, she was without funds to pay the taxes on her property.
One day (this was in the early 1920’s) she heard a truck pull up into her farmyard and walked outside to investigate.
It was the Sheriff and an assistant – they had come to pick up her only milk cow to sell it to pay her back taxes.
As a 15 year old, I was horrified. And, I was sad. I asked her what she did.
She told me that she walked out into the woods for awhile and then came back inside to start supper.
In high drama I pronounced, “Ohhhh Grams!” I never-ever could have done that!”
She reached across the kitchen table where we were sitting and she pinched my arm harshly and painfully. It got my attention.
And then looking me square in the eye she said, “What choice did I have?”
Outside of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, these may be the most powerful and influential words ever uttered to me in life. They were shocking words – five words that shocked.
And five words that prepared me for my future.
My life has been plunged into some mighty painful situations. Every single situation I could hear my Grams voice, yet again, ask – “What choice did I have?”
I realized that with pure truth – I too had no choice but to square my shoulders, hold my head high and walk into the challenge.
And like Grams – I had to survive.
Our Heavenly Father has blessed our family with love and example unrivaled in other families.
And perhaps, especially we women are blessed by her towering strength – the strength to raise five children in abject conditions. She is followed now by four more generations of men and women who have met their trials – both imposed upon them or self imposed – and have come forth victorious.
After all, “What choice do we have?”
Nancy DeBrular Richardson
How I loved coming home from school and talking to Grams. She always had time for us. She loved to hear about our lives and loved to share her own.
One day she told me a story that burns within me to this day.
She told how her brother had borrowed money from her (a widow with 5 little children) and had never paid it back.
Therefore, she was without funds to pay the taxes on her property.
One day (this was in the early 1920’s) she heard a truck pull up into her farmyard and walked outside to investigate.
It was the Sheriff and an assistant – they had come to pick up her only milk cow to sell it to pay her back taxes.
As a 15 year old, I was horrified. And, I was sad. I asked her what she did.
She told me that she walked out into the woods for awhile and then came back inside to start supper.
In high drama I pronounced, “Ohhhh Grams!” I never-ever could have done that!”
She reached across the kitchen table where we were sitting and she pinched my arm harshly and painfully. It got my attention.
And then looking me square in the eye she said, “What choice did I have?”
Outside of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, these may be the most powerful and influential words ever uttered to me in life. They were shocking words – five words that shocked.
And five words that prepared me for my future.
My life has been plunged into some mighty painful situations. Every single situation I could hear my Grams voice, yet again, ask – “What choice did I have?”
I realized that with pure truth – I too had no choice but to square my shoulders, hold my head high and walk into the challenge.
And like Grams – I had to survive.
Our Heavenly Father has blessed our family with love and example unrivaled in other families.
And perhaps, especially we women are blessed by her towering strength – the strength to raise five children in abject conditions. She is followed now by four more generations of men and women who have met their trials – both imposed upon them or self imposed – and have come forth victorious.
After all, “What choice do we have?”
Nancy DeBrular Richardson
I love learning through her example. This coming up week I will remember these words. I will myself hold my head high and walk into my challenges knowing I determine my own fate. I can't control some of my circumstances but I sure can make the best of them. Just like Margery. Just like my own aunt Nancy. Just like the pioneers. Just like others around me with trials. I can and I will!
Thank you Nancy. I sure love you ... I treasure you ...
4 comments:
Wow! Can Nancy write a book for the rest of us? What a wise woman she sounds like. Reminds me of my family from Arkansas and Missouri -- she can see the plain truth and expresses it so eloquently in a way you don't encounter much these days.
Thanks for sharing your determination and Nancy's wisdom. It is inspiring. You are inspiring.
I loved reading this Alana...how true these words are. Praying for you my dear friend. Talk to you soon.
When I think of you Alana, I think of one who really knows how to 'enjoy' the journey in life...thanks for sharing!
Post a Comment