What you can learn from a photograph...
Sometimes when we look at a photo we look at composition, subject, all things eye pleasing… but do we see the bigger picture. Do we see the story behind the photos? Who a person was, who they loved, what was important to them? What does the story tell the generations that come after we are gone?
As I look at those photos of Aunt Ginger, I see a woman of great beauty, inside and out. One that had her heartaches and struggles but who never let them effect her hope in tomorrow and her faith in God. It’s obvious to see that these hardships never took her smile and tainted her heart. They made her stronger in faith and more loving in nature. She had a huge amount of love to give and she did so freely, without conditions. I‘ve never heard her raise her voice, never criticize, never try to hurt- only encourage us, pray for us, and voice her love for each of us so completely. There was never a day where you doubted that Aunt Ginger loved you, no matter how hard you may have been to love at that moment. She was the one you could talk to about anything, the one that would be there to help no matter what the need.
I see a wife in these photos that dearly loved her husband. I see a mother of two but a woman that was a mom to so many more. I see her with her sons and the pure and complete love that she has pouring out of her eyes for both Jason and Jacob. I see the pride she has in Jason for the job that he does, the son that he is and the father that he has become. I see the hope and the promise that she has in Jacob and feel her cheering him on to become the man that she knows he will be. She always believed her sons were born to make a difference in this world. They have and they will.
The Pictures of her grandchildren tell a story that is most obvious to see, She delighted in their visits and her face would shine in their presence. She was never to busy to stop what she was doing to give them whatever it was they needed.- a hug, a kiss, a kind word, a snack, play time with Nana, or baking a special treat. She cherished all of you and talked about you to anyone that would listen. Tyler, I see in you her patience and her gentle loving spirit as you interact with your younger cousins. Katelyn, You look like her and when you told me you loved me the other day I could hear her voice in yours, you have her capacity to love so deeply. Abby, You have her smile and that spark of Mischief in your eyes that we would so often see in hers . You also see into the hearts of those around you, just as she did. Olivia, You sweet girl, have her amazing sense of fun and adventure and hug just like her. Keep dancing for her. The time I spend with you four tells me a very important thing, You will make her proud.
As you look further you see that love expand to her brothers and her sisters, some related by blood, some related by marriage. She was the baby of the 5 and yet it was her that took over the roll of keeping the family together. She was a peacemaker, encourager, and the glue between them all. She would ask that you honor her by loving each other.
The photos also tell the story of how much she loved her Cousins, her Nieces and Nephews… You see the family gatherings that she hosted, the special gifts that she gave, the hugs and the affection that she had for each one of us. There were never too many of us at her house. Even on Easter when there were 20 some adults visiting and 12 or more Grandchildren and Great Nieces and Nephews running around on a sugar high, she lived for it, she loved it and she loved us all so, so much. Her house was always a home to anyone that wanted to come in and whatever she had was yours. Aunt Ginger, Our family traditions that you taught us to hold so dear will be continued in the generations to come. You have my promise.
You see her with her friends. Some she has known forever, some just a short time. One thing you all have in common is that she made a mark on your heart and you on hers. She loved you all and cherished her friendships. She encouraged you, listened to you, gave you a shoulder to cry one and made you all laugh. Thank You for your outpouring of love for our family and for honoring her today. She was a very lucky woman to have had you in her life and I know you feel the same about her.
Lastly I think about the one thing I see in ALL of her photographs that she so lovingly placed in albums, and that is without a doubt, a deep and abiding love for God. She was a woman that loved the Lord with all of her heart and all of her soul. She lived her life everyday in such a way that it was obvious to all of us around her. I take comfort in knowing that she is in Heaven with Grandpa and Grandma. Knowing that she’s waiting for us with her sweet smile and big hugs. Her greatest prayer, her greatest wish for all of us was that we’d all be there with her someday. My 35 years with her was not enough time. I‘m sure all of us that had the gift of knowing her, feel that none of our time with her was enough. We had more to learn, more to say, more to do but that wasn’t God’s plan and he called her home. She wouldn’t want anyone to be angry about that, she was looking forward to Heaven. She was also looking forward to someday meeting us there.
Thank You Aunt Ginger for loving all of us so well.
I love you,
Tamara
