The first reader-friend to offer to share a story is Shirley S from Mississippi. Here’s her tribute to her grandmother:

“The special lady that I would like to honor this Mother’s Day is my maternal grandmother. She married at 16 and gave birth to 13 children. My grandfather was a preacher in a little country church that just met every other Sunday. Usually on the Sundays when that church was held, Grandmother had a houseful of company for dinner. There would be so many people at the house that we ate in shifts, but you never heard her complain about feeding them on her limited income. When I think of all the folks she fed on those Sundays I often think of Jesus feeding the 5000. The thing about Grandmother that made her so special to me was her faith. She had absolute faith that no matter what happened to her that she was never alone. She would tell you that when she buried two small children with three days of each other (one of them a newborn) that He was there for her. When you oldest remaining child died of unknown causes as a man with a young family He was with her. As she buried a young grandchild He was there. She knew that she was not alone as she battled cancer. In fact, her faith was what many of her family held onto in her last days. Her faith shone in everything that she did.

As a teenager and also as a young bride, Grandmother was a bulwark. She offered a shoulder to lean on and advice when needed. She didn’t have a lot in the way of schooling having quit school in the eighth grade. She was well read in many subjects; however, her main source of knowledge and inspiration was her Bible. Her heart was open to God, and she shared His light with everyone she came in contact with. I can only hope to be the person that she was. I miss her dearly, but know that I will see her again one day. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”–Shirley

Thank you, Shirley. What a great example she set for you and all of us.–Lyn