"And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." Colossians 3:14

Monday, November 15, 2010

Ruby

Usually I leave work at 4:00 on Mondays to get to class by 4:30. Today, I was taking my time for two reasons. 1. We have an event at work tomorrow that I was preparing for, and 2. It was rather cold and rainy and I simply wasn't in a huge rush to walk to class (whyyyy did I wait until years after "graduation" to take freshman biology??).

My father called me at 4:40 as I was about to drag myself into class to tell me the news.

I remember driving to the hospital in complete silence. I remember thinking that I hoped I didn't get in a wreck because I could tell my reaction time was really bad, and it was almost rush hour.

I refused to go into the room. My grandmother is a beautiful, spunky, bubbly, lady. Not the body that remained. When the nurse said, "She's ready if you want to see her now" my grandfather replied, "She isn't in there. She's in heaven with her savior". 

I drove home in the rain and remember getting really frustrated that my windshield wipers weren't working. I realized tears were crowding my vision, not the rain.

I didn't know what to do when I got home. So, I took a bath. And I texted my most loved friends because they always know the right thing to say.
 

Em encouraged me to write. So I did. And I am.


Her name was Ruby. She has been struggling with health complications for about 16 months.

Her name is Ruby.

I have no idea what her natural hair color is because she began dying her hair red to match mine ever since I could remember.

Her favorite song is the hymn, "In the Garden". She claims that the only book she ever read all the way through was the Bible.

She ate dessert first, especially if it was chocolate. She is the only person I know who drinks more Coca-Cola than I do.

Memommie and Me, 2006.
She loves college basketball. And  I loved watching any show on the Food Network with her, especially The Barefoot Contessa.

She makes the best waffles and never drinks coffee. I never drink coffee.

I would really like one of those waffles right now.

She was a child of the dustbowl era and a survivor of hard upbringing in the Oklahoma country. If she never mentioned it though, you would never know it, her face didn't show it.

She was classy and kind, generous and thoughtful.

Ruby means precious gem, brings light into lives. 

There is not a single person on this earth that was more vocally encouraging to me on a consistent, daily basis than my grandmother. She was my biggest cheerleader. 

She was the definition of a lady and taught me how to be one, too.

"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Proverbs 31:29

9 comments:

  1. What a fitting tribute to your wonderful Ruby. She was a precious gem. I'm so sorry for your loss, the world's loss, but heaven's gain.

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  2. I'm sorry for your loss Jacquelyn. That was a really sweet post.

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  3. oh, girl, my heart was squeezed and my eyes filled with tears as i read this. what a beautiful post. prayers for you and your family!

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  4. Jacquelyn, Thank you for sharing your heart about your Grandmother.It was a beautiful tribute and showed the love you had for her.
    She truly was a gracious and caring lady and we are blessed she passed our way. I will never forget the chocolate cheese cake she made me for my birthday. For the same birthday your Mom made me a strawberry cheescake. Those were the best birthday cakes I had ever had. I had never had a chocolate one and quickly became addicted. She was a sweet person and always had a twinkle in her eye. She knew how to give freely. She knew how to love. Thank you again your words. Vivian

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  5. Precious post. Praying for you.

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  6. Hi Jacquelyn,

    I felt compelled to comment tonight after reading this post... I'm so sorry for your loss. Ruby sounds like such an amazing soul; what a beautiful post to honor her.

    I came across your blog last week, very much inspired by your thoughts on faith, in particular, your post about "Grace" (I think back in...August?). God seems to be placing this as a recurring theme in my life as of late... :)

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  7. You described your grandma so well. "Classy & kind" are exactly what I think of when I think of her. She was grace personified.

    I felt about my grandma they same way you do. She was my biggest fan. When I was going through some problems at work a year or so after she died, I missed her the most because I couldn't call and ask her to pray for me.

    What a blessing to have such wonderful women to shape our lives. I'll be praying for you in the days ahead. Love you!

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  8. Beautiful post. What a blessing to have two lovely, strong ladies in your life. Your mother and your grandmother. I am so sorry for your loss, life without someone you love can be very difficult. You wrote beautifully about Ruby.

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