Tributes and Such

Yesterday on our BLT show, we spent the hour sharing stories of some of the best traits we inherited from our parents {or grandparents} {or mentors}. It got me all in the mood to pay tribute to some of the people who have made me who I am so today is tribute day here in old Shafferland.

I mentioned a couple of days ago that last Sunday would have been my Grandma Kesot's 100th birthday, so I'm going to start with her.

Grandma Kesot: Grandma was already retired {all my grandparents were, actually} when I was born so I remember her as a stay-at-home wife who dearly loved being with her husband. In fact, I think that's where I got the idea that you can be married forever and still genuinely enjoy spending time with your spouse. It wasn't just something she said. It was something she did. She loved her family and doted on us. She cooked for and hosted all the holidays, and she baked {and decorated} cakes for all our birthdays. Grandma and I became extra special buddies during my high school years, after my Grandpa died. I spent a lot of weekends at her house, and I loved that time with her. I appreciated her undying devotion to everyone she loved, and I hope that her love for and dedication to my Grandpa is something I replicate in my love for Ryan.

Grandpa Kesot: Well, Grandpa had much more of a quiet strength about him than I've EVER had about me, but one of the things I remember most about him was that sweet twinkle in his eye. He could say so much{good} with one look. He was so funny...so often when he didn't mean to be. He'd get words mixed up {like the time he told us all the cartridges wore out in his knees} and then those words would become our words. I can't even come UP with the word cartilage now without much effort. We'd tease him and he took it all in good-natured stride. Grandpa died when I was going into my freshman year of high school, and I miss him. I appreciated the gentle way he served as our family patriarch and if I ever stop being so bull-in-a-china-shop, I hope to find within me some of his gentleness.

Grandma Freelan: Grandma and I were buddies...and if there's one thing about her in her dealings with me...she was long-suffering. When I was little, she'd come stay with us for a couple weeks at a time now and then, and when she did, I took over. I played nurse and she was my patient. I played teacher and she was my student. I played piano instructor and she sat dutifully on the bench and pressed her thumb against middle C for four counts before I gave her a check mark on that page. She was so patient. {Yeah, I didn't inherit that one.} The other thing I remember about her was how devoted she was to her prayer time, and I'll tell you what...until the day she died, I was one of the three most-prayed-for-ever grandkids you ever met.

Grandpa Freelan: I didn't want you to think I ignored him, but he died before I was born, so I can't tell you what I remember most!

Mom: I shared this on BLT this week, but my Mom is a funny lady, and I have been told I have a delightful blend of both my parents' sense of humor. And the thing I shared on the air was that I always appreciated her devotion to her quiet time. She's a morning person {yeah didn't get that either} and I remember watching her do her devotions while I ate breakfast before school. A million things to do before she headed out to work, but she always made time for that and it was such a great example to me. And my goodness, does she ever have a servant's heart. She lives to help others, and I admire that so much about her.


Dad: The other half of my sense of humor came from this one. He's funny too, though in a completely opposite way from Mom. Dad is a HARD worker and has put in many late nights {got that from him} working to make sure everything was in order for the family. And from him, I inherited my love of studying the Bible and really digging in to learn all sorts of things about it. I appreciate the foundation he gave me in an above-average knowledge of Scripture when I was just a little thing!

And now I have the joy of a whole new family - with in-laws! I have two mothers-in-law and two fathers-in-law and I appreciate so much how all four of them have welcomed me in and made me feel like I belong. They're all kind, generous people who have been a joy to get to know in the last two years.

Ryan's dad (Gary) and step-mom (Lynn) have included us in their celebrations, they made the trip to Florida for our wedding, and I enjoy it when Lynn sends a text out of the blue to share about something she read on the blog or a fond memory she has of time spent with us. I really treasure that! I appreciate witnessing their love for and commitment to one another and to the family.

Ryan's mom (Nita) and step-dad (Allen) have made me feel every bit as much their child as Ryan is. I've appreciated their hospitality, Nita's photography documentation of our relationship, and their constant willingness to help us with anything we need. I also appreciate how they've included my parents as part of their huge family too! They're encouraging and affirming to both of us, and we appreciate that.

And of course I saved the best for last. Ryan has really changed my life, not just in all the obvious ways, but in the character traits he teaches me on a daily basis. He is such a good listener. He's hysterical and can get me to laugh even when I am so sad or so angry. He loves me even when I'm {ahem} grouchy. And probably THE biggest thing I've learned from him is how to have a generous spirit. He gives and gives and gives to anyone in need. He always sees the good and the potential in people and wants to help in any way he can. I've watched him buy a tank of gas for a total stranger {while I huddled in the corner with the phone at the ready to call 911 because I have watched too much TV}, I've watched him haul a car a long distance for my co-worker who had no way to get it to the shop, I've watched him sweep branches off the roof of his great-aunt and uncle who couldn't do it themselves, I've watched him help his co-worker bust up a slab of concrete and haul it away, and I've watched him treat his patients with dignity and the utmost in kindness as they struggle to rehab. He is amazing. I'm blessed to get to learn from him every day.

 Oh goodness. I could go on for days. {And some of you already think I have.} But these are just a few of the folks who have showed me how to live well. I'm grateful to have been part of their lives. And I hope SO MUCH that I can leave even a fraction of this in the lives of others. Truly.

Join me? Honor some people who have blessed you?