Jul 2010
April 17, 2008 (it has been 7 years since I stood here)
Anna Bell Williams
It is morning in Heaven for Anna and the angels rejoice.
I have known two great women in my life time. The one who raised me and guided my life to become the person I am today and the one who allowed me to marry her daughter who helped me get over my backward ways.
There has not been a mother-in-law joke that ever fit my mother-in-law, Anna. She has been a sweetheart to me for more than 40 years. I particularly liked Anna’s attitude toward me; you see, my wife said her mother thought I could walk on water. Well, I most definitely can not accomplish that feat, of course, but I was not going to tell her that. There were times I did good just to keep from drowning from time to time.
Anna has always been a caring, giving lady. When she saw a need in someone’s life, she would give assistance in what ever form was needed. When her neighbor and friend became terminally ill, she spent many hours, days and months taking care of her, making her last hours tolerable. In the process Anna led her to a relationship with Jesus. This is just one example of how she spent her life.
She became a surrogate mother to a young lady who was dying of cancer and was there for her when she died.
She was there for her sister, running errands and helping around the house, just doing what ever was necessary to lift her spirit. There are numerous stories, I am sure, many of you have, as you remember her life and how she influenced your life in some way. Success in life can be, and should be, measured by the difference you make in another’s life as you pass through this short time we have on this earth. She was very successful in life.
One thing I noticed over the years, Anna was always on the go. She only had one gear and that was “fast forward”. The only time she was “in park” was when she was asleep. She loved to go to the coast. Just mention going to the coast and she was out the door and ready to go. Well, maybe not quite that extreme, but close.
It was difficult for her the last few years to accept slowing down. And even more difficult, accepting help instead of giving help. The last time we sat at the kitchen table having a cup of coffee, she talked about how hard it was to not be able to do the things she wanted to do. We got a little misty together that time.
Over the years I have written a number of pieces which I gathered together and gave her a copy. That morning she said there was one piece she read over and over when ever she was down in her spirit. She said the words restored her spirit every time. I never found out which piece that was but I was deeply touched and honored that she found the words a source of inspiration.
She has run the race and finished the course. The long night is over and a new morning has dawned for her where no pain or sorrow will ever again touch her body and spirit.
To paraphrase a small piece I wrote about what my life has been and I hope will be: and I believe she experienced as well—goes like this
————————————————
Here she stood as the evening of life drew near
She tried to follow the paths found dear
Paths of love and honor, from examples she did see
From those before her, that she strove to be.
Here she stood, asking, “did I make the right choice?
Did I follow the loud or the still small voice?”
Now, she understands the power of love.
It’s the power given by our God above.
Here she stood to survey her life today.
She began and ended, on the edge of the day.
The choices she made, Jesus was always near
His Grace and Mercy has brought her here.
Now she kneels in His presence, the race is run
His grace sustained her, the journey is done.
He brought her through, the dusk, the night
To a brand new day, what a wonderful sight.
————————————————
We rejoice with you Anna. You are home now. You are in his presence now.
Goodnight sweet lady. See you in the morning.
Anna Bell Williams
It is morning in Heaven for Anna and the angels rejoice.
I have known two great women in my life time. The one who raised me and guided my life to become the person I am today and the one who allowed me to marry her daughter who helped me get over my backward ways.
There has not been a mother-in-law joke that ever fit my mother-in-law, Anna. She has been a sweetheart to me for more than 40 years. I particularly liked Anna’s attitude toward me; you see, my wife said her mother thought I could walk on water. Well, I most definitely can not accomplish that feat, of course, but I was not going to tell her that. There were times I did good just to keep from drowning from time to time.
Anna has always been a caring, giving lady. When she saw a need in someone’s life, she would give assistance in what ever form was needed. When her neighbor and friend became terminally ill, she spent many hours, days and months taking care of her, making her last hours tolerable. In the process Anna led her to a relationship with Jesus. This is just one example of how she spent her life.
She became a surrogate mother to a young lady who was dying of cancer and was there for her when she died.
She was there for her sister, running errands and helping around the house, just doing what ever was necessary to lift her spirit. There are numerous stories, I am sure, many of you have, as you remember her life and how she influenced your life in some way. Success in life can be, and should be, measured by the difference you make in another’s life as you pass through this short time we have on this earth. She was very successful in life.
One thing I noticed over the years, Anna was always on the go. She only had one gear and that was “fast forward”. The only time she was “in park” was when she was asleep. She loved to go to the coast. Just mention going to the coast and she was out the door and ready to go. Well, maybe not quite that extreme, but close.
It was difficult for her the last few years to accept slowing down. And even more difficult, accepting help instead of giving help. The last time we sat at the kitchen table having a cup of coffee, she talked about how hard it was to not be able to do the things she wanted to do. We got a little misty together that time.
Over the years I have written a number of pieces which I gathered together and gave her a copy. That morning she said there was one piece she read over and over when ever she was down in her spirit. She said the words restored her spirit every time. I never found out which piece that was but I was deeply touched and honored that she found the words a source of inspiration.
She has run the race and finished the course. The long night is over and a new morning has dawned for her where no pain or sorrow will ever again touch her body and spirit.
To paraphrase a small piece I wrote about what my life has been and I hope will be: and I believe she experienced as well—goes like this
————————————————
Here she stood as the evening of life drew near
She tried to follow the paths found dear
Paths of love and honor, from examples she did see
From those before her, that she strove to be.
Here she stood, asking, “did I make the right choice?
Did I follow the loud or the still small voice?”
Now, she understands the power of love.
It’s the power given by our God above.
Here she stood to survey her life today.
She began and ended, on the edge of the day.
The choices she made, Jesus was always near
His Grace and Mercy has brought her here.
Now she kneels in His presence, the race is run
His grace sustained her, the journey is done.
He brought her through, the dusk, the night
To a brand new day, what a wonderful sight.
————————————————
We rejoice with you Anna. You are home now. You are in his presence now.
Goodnight sweet lady. See you in the morning.
