Legacy: Painting on a cloud

Valera Mae Marshall
Born Dec 1, 1920
Died Mar 15, 2007

Grammie said to Grandaddy (or vice versa---someone could correct me on this) that one day they would each be up on a cloud in Heaven painting side by side. ....I believe they will be painting a legacy. A legacy that they have left behind. I am so thankful to be a part of the legacy that Grammie has sewn...that she has so dearly painted with her life. She is beauty to me. She has given me such insight and precious pearls of wisdom. I am thankful for all those moments that I have breathed with her. Gleaned from her.
Hopefully, my family that views my blog can add some stories they have of Grammie....there are so many memories we have...so many special moments that we shared with her... she continues to live on in our hearts.... Here is my letter to Grammie about some things I remember of her...

Oh, Grammie, how I love you! I can still hear your voice and your laughter. “Hi Sugar Babe!”

I can still feel your soft time-worn hands. The smell of your coffee laced breath. I think I may even have some clothes with a trademark of visiting with you---cat hair!

You have lived a life of rich experiences.

You made me feel special when I came for overnights by myself. You taught me to sew a pillow and crochet.

Meatloaf. Lemon drop Candies, Punkie Pie, Coffee, ice-cream sandwiches

Taking my driving test in your Toyota Celica car

Reader's Digest magazine, Bible on Tape, History Channel, Western Movies, Vaseline Intensive Care Hand Lotion, Rummy Card Games

Your love of animals (and boy, did you have a crew!)

Your love of history.

You loved growing flowers and having them in your yard.

You were a master painter, writer, seamstress (Little Cricket), crocheter, storyteller....

God saw you were getting tired. You were ready to go home to see your Maker and Lord!

So he put his arms around you and whispered, “Come to me.”

A golden heart stopped beating. Hard working hands at rest. Peace. Beauty. Home.

I believe that God sent us you
As our legacy from above,
To share the moments of our life,
As extra measures of His love.

Until then, I want the whole world to know how blessed our family was to have such a wonderful person in our lives.

LEGACY (Song, by Nicole Nordeman)

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...