My guest today is Author Nancy Mehl, the Author of the “Curl Up & Dye” mystery series for Barbour Books. Here’s Nancy:

“I’m happy to guest on a blog about strong women. I’ve been fortunate to know several strong women and try to create resilient female characters in my novels. But recently I was made aware of a very special kind of strength. I call it quiet strength. It doesn’t ask for attention and will even slip past you if you don’t know what to look for.

My mother-in-law, Wilma Mehl, recently passed away at the age of 92. I still remember the day she welcomed me into her family. My husband and I married away from our hometown in a small service with only my father and grandmother as witnesses. Wilma never once complained that we hadn’t waited so she could watch us say our vows. Instead, she told me, “I’m just so glad my son married someone like you.”

Quiet strength.

Down through the years, she never interfered in our marriage, never insisted on attention. Instead, she was grateful for whatever time we gave her. Several years after her husband Fred died, she began to have problems living alone. She made the decision to move to a place that could provide the additional care she needed. So she sold her home and took up residence in a retirement community that provided assisted living. My husband once asked her if she’d like to ride over and see the house she’d spent a major part of her life in – the house her husband built with his own hands. “No,” she said. “That’s behind me.” And we never heard another word about it.

Quiet strength.

In the last years before her death, she would always thank us for coming to see her in the nursing home. And she meant it. Not once did she complain if we missed a visit or ask if we could come to see her more often. Surrounded by elderly people who had dementia, who clutched dolls and begged to be taken home, she never complained. And she had the most beautiful smile. In fact, she smiled at a nurse moments before she took her last breath.

Quiet strength.

What gave her the ability to never complain? To never express regret for a difficult time in her life? It was because she was determined, with every fiber of her being, to never be a burden to the family she loved so much. If she ever did express her inner pain, Only one Person heard it. Her precious Lord, Jesus Christ. Then she left her burden with Him.

Quiet strength.

My son is preparing for marriage to a wonderful girl. Besides being mother and son, we’ve also been best friends his whole life. Now I’m going to have to step back and let another woman take first place. It’s a little scary, but I’m not afraid. You see, I have a beautiful light to guide me. Wilma’s example of quiet strength and the example she left me of real love that doesn’t seek its own way.

Thank you, Wilma.

Isaiah 30:15 …in quietness and trust is your strength.

1 Peter 3: 3 & 4  Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. “–Nancy

Thanks for sharing such a beautiful story of a woman who faced life with strength and bravery. You’ve proven that many mother in laws are blessings. If you’d like more information about Nancy and her books, here’s where to go.–Lyn

Nancy’s Web site: www.nancymehl.com

Nancy’s blog: www.nancymehl.blogspot.com

My newest novel, “Blown Away,” is the second book in my “Curl Up and Dye” series. You can find out more about the adventures of Hilde Higgins, hair-stylist to the recently departed at Barbour Books. http://www.barbourbooks.com/product/Blown-Away,6986.aspx?Tab=Books