Lennie, whose love for me was daily expressed in her faithfulness, companionship, devotion to me and to our four wonderful children and ten grandchildren, and who more than any other quality was characterized by her love for God, quietly left us the afternoon of Sunday, March 19, 2023, and exchanged our embrace for that of her Heavenly Father.
Fifty years ago, shortly after we were married, Lennie and I fell in love with a series of books by Harold Bell Wright. Often we would close out our day reading aloud to one another of the fictional adventures of Wright’s whimsical characters.
In these last days together, I took great delight in returning to that practice of reading to my dear wife.
Just a couple of nights ago, I read to Lennie from Wright’s “The Shepherd of the Hills”.
In a cabin in the Ozarks above Mutton Hollow, two marriageable age young ladies are discussing what love is.
The first says, “Hit’s a cookin’ an’ a scrubbin’ an’ a mendin’ fer him, an’ – an’ – sometimes hit’s a splittin’ wood, an’ a doin’ chores, too; and I reckon that’s all.”
The other responds, “No, it ain’t. It’s a heap more’n that; it’s a nursin’ babies, and a takin’ care of ’em ’till they’re all growed up, and then when they’re big enough to take care ‘o themselves, and you’re old and in the way, it’s a lookin’ back over it all, and bein’ glad you done married the man you did.”
At that point I paused in my reading and looked over at Lennie who appeared to be sleeping and asked, “are you glad you done married the man you did?”
And though her voice had been quieted from the cancer, and though the medication to ease the pain was having its affect, she looked back at me, and smiled, and whispered, “I am.”
And I responded, “and I am glad I done married the woman I did.”
They say hearing is the last to go so I leaned close yesterday afternoon, and with tears falling, voice breaking, I whispered to my dearest treasure on all the earth the words she had sung to me and the other graduating seminarians forty years ago.
“Just think of stepping on shore-And finding it Heaven!
Of touching a hand-And finding it God’s!
Of breathing new air-And finding it celestial!
Of waking up in glory-And finding it home!”
Well done good and faithful servant. These are the words we hope to hear when we meet our creator. The example of Lennie and David are a model for all of us to emulate in our lives with our spouses, families and communities. Thank you for a life well lived. Rest in peace Lennie. Our thoughts and prayers are with you David. Blessings to your family.
Lives well lived and tears down my cheek. A tear of happiness for the rewards of traditional marriage and morals. A tear of appreciation for life in the greatest time and place. A tear of thanks for the hard work and suffering of those who made our life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness possible. A tear of blessing for the support of wonderful parents. A tear of joy for my wife of 49 years. And a tear of sadness for recent and future generations who cast off proven the lessons from our Creator for a happy life. God bless us all.
We tend to complicate this life and under-appreciate the best parts, until we are forced into a place of reflection.
Thanks for sharing your journey David.
We are better for it.
You have me crying, David. What a beautiful letter. And what deep sadness over your loss. Yet, your love is shining way beyond it, and it is an example for how fulfilling it can be in each and every tiniest moment that is shared. May you find solace in your family and friends. And may Lennie rest in peace.
We and many others, surely, were with you, Lennie and your family–in spirit and prayer– during her last days with you here. Thank you for including us. As Brian said, “We are better for it.”
As we kept vigil Proverbs 31:10-31 came to mind.
What a lovely tribute. So very sorry for the loss of your beloved wife. May she rest in eternal peace.