Remembering Grandma on her Birthday! A Proverbs 31 Woman!

Today would have been my Grandma Margaret’s 94th Birthday! We would always celebrate BIG with her. So today feels different as this is the first birthday since she passed away in January. I cannot lie, I have been sad and down and decided to reframe it and write about who she was to keep her memory alive and share it with all of you.

When filling out some forms when my Grandma Margaret passed last January, I saw that my Grandma’s occupation just said “Homemaker” and I felt like that just didn’t describe all she was.

If that blank space was bigger I would also add:

Margaret– Homemaker, a “Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Tia, Friend, and ‘Military’ Wife of Noble Character

Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV) says, 10 A wife of noble character who can find?

Well, this starts out describing my grandma because “A wife of noble character” my grandfather didn’t have to find, because my grandma was already his childhood friend and he ended up asking her to marry him in a letter when he was overseas in the military.

She is worth far more than rubies.

He bought her a ruby ring for their 40th anniversary and I remember him telling her that she’s far worth more than those rubies were-so sweet!

11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

I know my grandpa was confident that she was taking care of the him, their sons and their home. He had everything he needed and wanted. He lived a good life because she brought good to him. He would always brag that their kids never saw them argue or fight.

13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

She so carefully selected, collected, gathered and cared for that which she used to make garments for her family. She did not wait for things, she made it happen which showed her hard work ethic which she also took joy in, never complaining.

14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

She loved having a garden to grow her own foods since she was little. She talked about how far she would have to carry her water bucket from the nearest well. That bucket is still in her yard- she was so proud of it!

15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family.

She would talk about how she Would wake up early with my grandpa as he got ready for work, sometimes at 4am, and she would make him coffee and breakfast then stay up to care for her 3 sons.

16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

My grandmother bought some land and homes when my grandpa was stationed overseas to invest for their future and she planted a garden every year.

17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

She was so strong, emotionally & physically. Once she moved heavy furniture on her own and her bicep muscle popped and she never had it repaired she just kept on going. She never complained.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

She also used to trade tamales for other items when needed. She never tired, she often didn’t go to sleep until others were waking up.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She was so skilled, wise hearted, willing, active, never having idle hands which are all characteristics that understandably are had by a virtuous woman of noble character.

20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

She, along with my grandpa, always opened their arms to those less fortunate and volunteered their time and donated to their church and local Crucillo retreats.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

She told a story of when they all lived in Alaska and got lost while driving in a blizzard, went into an embankment and got lost, but she was not afraid! She sewed clothes for herself and children to keep them warm and she loved the color purple-she said it was for Royalty!

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She supported my grandpa while he was in the military and in the long hours he worked volunteering in their church. He was a highly respected 4th degree Knight of Columbus and when he passed away, she made sure he had full Knight honors as they stood in attention at each side of his coffin in the church and cemetery along with full military honors.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She not only took care of her family, but was persistent, hardworking, and strong-minded, as she also pursued business (selling Watkins, Avon, Fuller Brush, & Tri-Chem). She supplied a need in her community while contributing to her family finances-this speaks to the servant orientation of her life.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;

Her strength was seen daily especially toward the end of her life when we knew she was in pain, but she continued to walk and do everything for herself. We, her family, ensured her dignity was continued through to the last days of her life.

She can laugh at the days to come. . .

she laughed a lot especially with her two sons and grandchildren. I believe it’s because of her faith and trust in God for them. She knew no matter what life’s stresses brought, or how crazy we acted, that the enemy would always be defeated. She prayed daily and every night until she fell asleep. When we asked if she was afraid to die and said, “Oh, no I am not afraid, I am 93 years old, I have lived a good life and I am ready.” She was looking forward to being in Glory with the Lord and with my Grandpa.

26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She told us life stories and was so wise in always teaching us how to do something, how to live and be better people. She was bold and not afraid to speak up. She made me a better wife and mother.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her eyes were fixed on her family first and what was going on with everyone, are they going to church, are they sleeping, are they not sleeping in, are they eating healthy. She managed her time, her house was spotless, food was always cooking and everyone always had enough because of her doings. Even though I managed her household bills for her, she would have to remind me or correct me on my math. She was sharp!

28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

My Grandma’s three sons and my Grandpa all praised her and cared for her. She took care of them and they took care of her.

29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

My Grandma was so much more than many women even without her high school diploma or a college degree- she gained life knowledge and gave from her heart to others before herself. Because of her choices, all her children and grandchildren graduated from high school, her youngest son has his own business, her oldest son earned his degree, and 4 of her grandchildren have their Bachelor’s Degree and one will have her Doctorate-All because of her.

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

She was a God-fearing woman for as long as I can remember. She took all her grandkids (us) to bible classes and encouraged us the follow the Lord. She was not afraid to die because of her trust in the Lord.

31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate!

We honor her and will continue to honor her and all she has done. We know she is praising and celebrating today in Heaven as she dances with my Grandpa to the songs of angels.