My Grandmother’s Story

It feels a bit strange adding a eulogy here; however, with each passing year I become more aware of the need to share the stories God has given each of us. These stories may testify to the faithfulness of God to those who love and obey Him, or they may tragically tell of the utter ruin and hopelessness of those who lived lives in their own way. I am incredibly thankful for this precious example I was blessed to have. MawMaw went home this past January. The picture above was one of many verses we found posted around her house after the funeral. Judging by the handwriting, it was written very late in life. Here are my memories of her…

I am sure we all feel as though we have the greatest of grandparents, but I really did and still do. They have taught me innumerable lessons, many of which they may not even realize. In preparing to speak of Maw Maw’s life, I realized how difficult it will be to speak of her without speaking of him, my Paw Paw. Ephesians 5 says “the two shall become one,” and that “this is a great mystery.” Indeed it is and has been clearly visible in the lives of Leonard and Patty Richardson. Seventy-one years ago, the two became one, creating a union of two souls by God Himself. Ephesians also states that this union represents Christ and His church. We have seen this lived out: Paw Paw was the head of the household, strong and an incredible decision-maker, yet caring for his wife. Maw Maw loved him dearly and willingly followed his lead, yet was strong in her own ways.

She held herself to a high standard in every area of her life. As Ecclesiastes 9:10 states, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,” so she did. If she determined to do something, she would do it well. She was organized, thorough, and dedicated, causing her to excel at the activities in which she endeavored, whether working, sewing beautiful clothes for her family (a coveted skill passed down to Aunt Sandy), cooking, or baking perfectly shaped desserts with absolutely no proof in the kitchen that anything had been made from scratch that day.

She was the librarian at Nome Elementary, followed by China Elementary for 23 years, a job which she loved tremendously. Her many students still remember particular books and activities which she made come alive for them. I heard something about “magic scissors” the other day from one of her former students. Her coworkers held a very special place in her heart, and she often spoke of her admiration of all their hard work.

She was also the church librarian for a number of years. Maw Maw’s love of books did not end at those places, however. Each child, grandchild, and great grandchild no doubt received a book from her at some point, and she was thrilled if one would actually sit down long enough in her lap to let her read one to them. She loved Ruth Bell Graham and multiple other authors. Uncle Dan was the son chosen to hunt down certain rare titles at used bookstores and online, as he received her love of books.

Maw Maw also appreciated music and played the piano beautifully for this church (First Baptist Nome) for close to 70 years. She began when she was sixteen and only stopped when it became too difficult for health reasons. This love was passed down to my dad, Don, who still leads the choir. Oh, the wonderful memories of them together at the front of the church each Sunday leading us in hymns! I will tell you, though, that it is next to impossible to act up in a small church under those conditions. Ask my brother, Jeremy. He tried to get away with more than I did. Maw Maw played the piano for multiple weddings throughout the years, receiving various gifts from the families for doing so. She treasured those items, which often consisted of jewelry, and she would write the name of the giver along with the date and the event on a slip of paper and keep it with the gift.

Church was a top priority to my grandparents, and they were there every time the doors were open unless some illness prevented doing so. Maw Maw was active in the WMU for many years, which led to some of the greatest friendships of her life. She spoke highly of these women to her family as we gathered around the table for Sunday lunches she always faithfully prepared. She rejoiced when a member of their family graduated, married, welcomed a child, or received any type of recognition. This is still evidenced by the many cards, announcements, and laminated newspaper clippings she neatly kept with her pictures in boxes around the house. Likewise, she mourned when they struggled through a hardship.

Vacation Bible School was another part of church she greatly enjoyed. The activities she chose to accompany her lessons held great value for the young ones under her tutelage. She had a little wooden shelf set with each book of the Bible represented by individual tiny wooden books. The books varied in color, depending on whether they were books of law or prophecy, and so on. It was so fun to arrange them in order on each shelf while she sang the Books of the Bible song.

My grandmother always set the example of how to participate in this great gift of church. When younger, we grandchildren may have seen the directions of no candy in the sanctuary, no running, no talking through service, and dressing appropriately as simply a list of rules to follow; however, now that we are older we see how this was her way of honoring the Lord and showing reverence to Him and teaching us to do so as well. To her the church was a symbol of those few sacred things left in the world, and she taught us how to separate the sacred from the non-sacred. I will never forget the day she taught me how to hold the Bible, gently turning each page by the top corner rather than wrinkling the pages. This simple lesson communicated deeper truths, such as how to rightly handle the actual scriptures within the pages.

Another priority of hers we may not have understood as children was manners. We were taught to set a table, sit up straight, speak politely, and write thank you notes with good penmanship. This may conjure up an image of harsh or strict discipline met with disapproval; however, the opposite was true. Maw Maw was gentle and grace-giving, setting the pattern with her own actions, yet always remembering we were but children. It is now evident that these lost arts held together a framework for a culture that is rapidly ending. She loved all things beautiful and cultivated beauty wherever she went.

Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” This was Maw Maw. She never missed an opportunity to send a heart-felt letter to someone. Oh, and if you ever wrote her a letter or gave her a gift, you know just how much fun it was! As my mom always says, she made you feel like you had given her the item she had wished for her entire life! I will say, though, she had no trouble taking a gift from a loved one in the annual gift exchange at our family Christmases if she spied something she liked. I’m sure we will never forget that slightly mischievous smile on her face while requesting those items.

Her humble heart allowed her to sing the praises of others without any pointing back to herself. She encouraged others with her gracious words and made each of us in the family feel like she was our biggest fan. This could not be more true than with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jonathan was the oldest of the grandkids and was very special to her and Paw Paw; I know he feels the same about them. I often heard them reminisce about activities they did together when he was younger. I was the next grandchild, welcomed into the family with open arms and made to feel as though I had always been a part and always belonged. David and Daniel, who will forever be a pair in my mind as they were born within the same year, came next, and Maw Maw treasured them. She loved to show the pictures of them in their little matching outfits and brag on their many talents and accomplishments as they grew. Then there was Jeremy, who adored Maw Maw and Paw Paw, and I can assure you the feeling was mutual. Maw Maw would lovingly tell of the most recent interaction she had with him and then say, “He’s just such a sweet boy!” I will never forget when “little Lauren” made her appearance into the family. She was not only welcomed but loved immediately. I remember her being asked to sing at every occasion, just so Maw Maw could hear that amazing voice come out of that small body.

A total of 12 great grandkids have been thoroughly enjoyed and cherished by her over the past 15 years. Rylee, Marshall, Brooklyn, Zoey, Dreyton, Maddi, Olivia, Lorelei, Jacob, Robby, Jenson, and Isaiah, each of you were so very precious to her and she loved you dearly.

Maw Maw and Paw Paw were intentional to make everyday choices that honored God, and in doing so, they left ruts in the ground for the rest of us to follow. These paths were travelled so frequently by them and were so habitual that deep grooves were made, making this pattern a bit more natural for the next generations. Our most gracious heavenly Father saw fit to leave Maw Maw and Paw Paw with us for all this time, and because of this, it is harder for us to go outside of the path containing those deep ruts. Though works and specific actions do not guarantee that our hearts will be changed and fully committed to the Lord, they do put us in the right position to do so. And for that, I will be eternally grateful. Maw Maw and Paw Paw, we love you more than you know.