Leah Maureen Godfrey returned to Heavenly Father on April 26, 2011 leaving children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends much better for having known and loved her. This is Allan's beautiful tribute to his Mother.
TRIBUTE TO LEAH
Sitting here, deep in melancholy reflections about our dear Mother, I find myself longing to be with brothers and sisters—that we might share, and remember, and appreciate. Each of us has our own memories which, when mingled with others, takes on new and enhanced meaning.
I remember her hands. Delicate—lady’s hands—rendered a little less perfect by the toil of life’s demands. Hands which cooked, and sewed, and crafted, and swept and mopped and drove. Hands which soothed and comforted and healed and held.
I remember her smile. Pleasant, charming—a friendly smile, a loving smile, a smile from the heart. Often the smile became a laugh. On occasion even, when with that bevy of beauties who were her sisters, the laugh became a giggle. Her laugh celebrated a good joke.
I remember her beauty – tall, slim and raven-haired. The observations of our friends, “Your mom sure is pretty.” The beauty I saw then was her lemon pies, salmon gravy, warm fresh rolls, and green jello with celery, peas and carrots. That beauty, carefully defined by a young Peter – “Those WEMON pies are WEEWEE good!” Later, her beauty came from her gifts of sacrifice, her spiritual depth, her kindness and her love. This, an ethereal and inherent beauty, was the most memorable and lasting of all.
I remember her character. I use carefully chosen adjectives – strong, honest, loyal, industrious, patient, respectful, tenacious, wise. She had integrity, she had alacrity, she had charity, she had compassion. Compassion indeed -- for all of God’s creatures. Quote, “Why do you boys always want to shoot pigeons or sparrows or gophers—living things? Why can’t you shoot cans or bottles or rocks?” She persisted in this vein until her compassion ultimately took the fun out of our cruelty.
For me, Mom was a metaphor of God’s beautiful creations. Her life was long, it was full, it was pure, it was productive, it was substantive. She left an honorable, fruitful and laudable legacy. For all of us who are her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren, her friends, her neighbors she gave us a great example. We honor her, we love her, and we will miss her.
TRIBUTE TO LEAH
Sitting here, deep in melancholy reflections about our dear Mother, I find myself longing to be with brothers and sisters—that we might share, and remember, and appreciate. Each of us has our own memories which, when mingled with others, takes on new and enhanced meaning.
I remember her hands. Delicate—lady’s hands—rendered a little less perfect by the toil of life’s demands. Hands which cooked, and sewed, and crafted, and swept and mopped and drove. Hands which soothed and comforted and healed and held.
I remember her smile. Pleasant, charming—a friendly smile, a loving smile, a smile from the heart. Often the smile became a laugh. On occasion even, when with that bevy of beauties who were her sisters, the laugh became a giggle. Her laugh celebrated a good joke.
I remember her beauty – tall, slim and raven-haired. The observations of our friends, “Your mom sure is pretty.” The beauty I saw then was her lemon pies, salmon gravy, warm fresh rolls, and green jello with celery, peas and carrots. That beauty, carefully defined by a young Peter – “Those WEMON pies are WEEWEE good!” Later, her beauty came from her gifts of sacrifice, her spiritual depth, her kindness and her love. This, an ethereal and inherent beauty, was the most memorable and lasting of all.
I remember her character. I use carefully chosen adjectives – strong, honest, loyal, industrious, patient, respectful, tenacious, wise. She had integrity, she had alacrity, she had charity, she had compassion. Compassion indeed -- for all of God’s creatures. Quote, “Why do you boys always want to shoot pigeons or sparrows or gophers—living things? Why can’t you shoot cans or bottles or rocks?” She persisted in this vein until her compassion ultimately took the fun out of our cruelty.
For me, Mom was a metaphor of God’s beautiful creations. Her life was long, it was full, it was pure, it was productive, it was substantive. She left an honorable, fruitful and laudable legacy. For all of us who are her children, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren, her friends, her neighbors she gave us a great example. We honor her, we love her, and we will miss her.
1 comment:
dad, that was so, so beautiful and perfectly described our sweet grandma. i know she loved it more than anyone. we love you both and are so proud and grateful for the work you continue to do, even amidst difficult times. thanks for sharing that with us!
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