Martha Annis Walker Horn, age 15Today is Neal's mom's birthday. I can't really put into words the feelings I have for this extraordinary woman. I never have known anyone who even compares to her on so many levels. Someone at her memorial service said something so beautiful about her that I'll never forget. They related that speaking to Mama was like "standing by a lit fireplace. As you walked away from your conversation, you felt like you were just glowing with her warmth and love," almost as if it were a palpable heat, her personality was that strong and influential.
Her ability to make you feel like the most important person in the world gained her friends throughout her life; even strangers felt as though she was their best friend. She taught me to always acknowledge that even the small things in my life are deliberate blessings from my Heavenly Father, and that I ought to be thankful for them. She taught me patience, unending love and devotion to family, confidence in myself and my opinions, and how to live with true grace and dignity. Her testimony and unfailing faith strengthened mine, her words and laughter brought me joy and happiness, her determination to live her life to the fullest inspires my hardest days, and she made my wonderful Neal the man and father he is. I love her dearly and miss her daily. I can't wait until the day when she can meet Parker and reunite with her little "Audie Mae;" until then, we have the memory of her love and laughter to sustain us. Happy Birthday Mama!
This is one of my favorite pictures of Mama; she loved to garden, but even more than that, she loved to garden with Neal. And the addition of a crazy little redhead just added to the fun that day.
Here is Audrey with her "Gie." All of the other grandkids called her "Ganmama," but since Audrey was still a baby at the time, she'll always be "Gie" to our little family.Below are some of my favorite excerpts from Neal's brother Jeff's beautifully written eulogy to his mother:
"Though Mama has passed from this life, we shall never be 'without' her. She is so much a part of who we are; there is not a part of us that has not fallen under her influence. Everything we love about life reminds us of her. As John said, 'how blessed we are to be the children of such a courageous, beautiful and tender woman. We couldn’t have loved her any more than we do.' "
"Mama had an incredible ability to accept people as they are. She never faulted people for disagreeing with her, or tried to force them to accept her position. This allowed her to form close relationships with dozens of people who came from different backgrounds than she did, were of different faiths than she was or lived lifestyles that were different from her own. As Aunt Sue said, 'one of the things I loved most about your mother is that she loved me the way I was.' "
"Even in the darkest hours, when she learned that her children were gathering to say their goodbyes, Mama managed to say 'as soon as I am able to get this pain under control and I get a little strength, I'm going to go in there and make some bread for when everyone comes.' "
"One day near the end, while lying down beside Mama, Georgia happened to look at her wedding ring. There was a little touch of bread dough clinging to the bottom of the diamond. How symbolic of her life. Feeding others, physically, spiritually and emotionally, was the focus of her life."
"Mama frequently told us 'I’m not afraid of dying.' She told Shelby recently, 'I had such a good time living.' "
Sorry for the sad post, readers; I just wish you all could have known Neal's mama. All of us who did are much better people for it.
"Though Mama has passed from this life, we shall never be 'without' her. She is so much a part of who we are; there is not a part of us that has not fallen under her influence. Everything we love about life reminds us of her. As John said, 'how blessed we are to be the children of such a courageous, beautiful and tender woman. We couldn’t have loved her any more than we do.' "
"Mama had an incredible ability to accept people as they are. She never faulted people for disagreeing with her, or tried to force them to accept her position. This allowed her to form close relationships with dozens of people who came from different backgrounds than she did, were of different faiths than she was or lived lifestyles that were different from her own. As Aunt Sue said, 'one of the things I loved most about your mother is that she loved me the way I was.' "
"Even in the darkest hours, when she learned that her children were gathering to say their goodbyes, Mama managed to say 'as soon as I am able to get this pain under control and I get a little strength, I'm going to go in there and make some bread for when everyone comes.' "
"One day near the end, while lying down beside Mama, Georgia happened to look at her wedding ring. There was a little touch of bread dough clinging to the bottom of the diamond. How symbolic of her life. Feeding others, physically, spiritually and emotionally, was the focus of her life."
"Mama frequently told us 'I’m not afraid of dying.' She told Shelby recently, 'I had such a good time living.' "
Sorry for the sad post, readers; I just wish you all could have known Neal's mama. All of us who did are much better people for it.
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6 comments:
what a beautiful post. though i only met her once or twice, it was impossible to meet her and not immediately feel how incredible she was.
what an incredible woman - her legacy lives through Neal, and now through your family - can you imagine what wonderful work the Lord has her doing on the other side? Beautifully written entry, Leslie.
I had an aunt who died when the oldest of her seven children was only 12, your description of Neal's mother reminds me so much of her... I know these wonderful women are doing great work on the other side of the veil and that their presence can still be felt by those they love dearly that they are separated from for this short time. I am so grateful for women like her that inspire me to be that kind of woman, I don't even know her, but I feel inspired by her legacy... not sad to read at all (=
seriously leslie, i love neal's mom. i feel the same as stephanie - unfortunately i didn't get to spend much time with her, but the time i did was wonderful. that analogy of a warm fire is an absolutely perfect description of her! she was truly 1 in a million.
Thank you, Leslie. This is a beautiful post. Every year, this day is just so hard for me. I'm trying to move towards the happy memories rather than the sharp pain of missing her.
Love,
Georgia
This is beautiful Leslie. I LOVE the picture of her gardening with Neal and Audrey is priceless.
When we get the blessing of knowing someone like her (let alone marrying their son and having their grandchildren!) it truly changes us for the better. Even if she isn't with you anymore.
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