Nana
Today would have been my Grandmother's 86th birthday. She passed away shortly after Jason and I got married, but not before leaving a mark on my life that is as unique as she was.
I couldn't possibly write all that Nana was to me. She was quirky and funny and spunky and my favorite late night phone buddy. But, there are three pieces of wisdom that she passed on to me that I will never forget.
1. Pretty is as pretty does. Of course, this cliche has traveled the world over. But, during the times in my life when the cliche clinking around in my head sounds more like "Pretty is when your thighs are cellulite-free and you finally lose that baby weight and your skin clears up and you don't have muffin top every time you put on your jeans", Nana's words remind me that indeed, true beauty radiates from the inside.
2. You can count your true friends on one hand at the end of a lifetime. I was quite skeptical of this phrase as I sat at my high school cafeteria table surrounded by what I knew were my "lifelong friends" - the ones that I last saw at graduation. But the older I get, the truer I find this to be. I'm learning that God gives most friendships for a season of life; but, there are a very precious few that He's given to weather all of life's seasons alongside of you. Without regard to distance or circumstance, you both have a mutual passion to stay part of one another's lives. And this passion, it walks hand in hand with the forgiveness you grant one another. Over and over and over.
3. Those who don't listen have to feel. I have found this to be painfully true. Oh-so-painfully true.
Today, and so many other days, I miss my Nana. And, her wisdom.
She sounds like a wonderful, wise woman! My grandmother, too, passed away several years ago, but she also left a lasting mark on my life. We named one of our twins after her. Hopefully our grandkids will remember us this way!
ReplyDeletewow, such wise words! i hadn't heard of #3 before, but it makes sense. thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour Grandma was a wise women. How wonderful that she was such a part of your life that she left a lasting impact. Both of my Grandma's died before I was four so I don't have those lasting memories. I hope I can be that sort of Grandma someday too!
ReplyDeleteVery wise words from you Nana. I'm sure you really miss her...I honestly can't imagine what life will be like without my Grandma. She's very dear to me. May this day bring you treasures of her.
ReplyDelete#3 speaks volumes in just a few short words about human nature.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about your grandmother - we need more like her.
she sounds like a wonderful and wise lady. all good but i really like #1. and how fun that you can pass this on to your family (not to mention the blogging world). thanks for sharing her with us.
ReplyDeleteI miss her, too, and think about her so often. One of my favorite sayings of hers wouldn't be appropriate to write, but remind me to tell you later.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I got to meet her even if it was only once to be able to put a personality with the words. She was such a welcoming woman and I loved listening to her talk. And her words of wisdom are awesome, Sar. I couldn't agree more with all of them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet tribute to pass on her advice to others... sounds like she left a wonderful legacy for you. Thanks for sharing it with all of us!
ReplyDeleteOh, Sarah. You had me at "Nana"...
ReplyDelete*sigh*
I've shared with you before that #2 still rings in my head from time to time. So glad I was able to meet her.
ReplyDeleteI so understand what you are feeling. There was no one on this earth that has ever meant more to me than my grandmother. She's been gone ten years now and I can't wait for the day I see her again.
ReplyDeleteWe are blessed to have had these women in our lives.
a very wise woman, your nana. i hadn't heard #3 before but oh how true it is....
ReplyDeletethe older i get the more #1 and #2 become abundantly clear!
sorry you are missing your nana today. i hope you are finding some happy, joyful memories today!
Very, very wise.
ReplyDeleteI lost both of my grandmas 10 years ago. They, too, were very wise.
Great words of wisdom. Definitely food for thought.
ReplyDeleteYour nana would be so proud to hear this from you, Sar. What a precious legacy she left to you.
ReplyDeleteEm
i miss my nana too (mine i called mama)... she went to be with the Lord 28 years ago and i still have dreams of her SO ALIVE AND REAL that I wake and seems she's been with me all along.
ReplyDeleteAwe, Sarah....when i first met you (over 10 years ago)....you would tell me about your long talks you had with nana, and all she had taught you and encouraged you. I always thought that was very special.
ReplyDeleteMiss you!