This is my Nana. Emily Mary Leighton Byrne. She was 9 years old. Today she would have been 124! As Y’all know (if you’ve followed us for very long), she was extremely important to me. She was My Rock. My Idol. My
Jesus Today. June 12th.
LET ME HELP YOU get through this
day. There are many possible paths to travel between your getting up in the
morning and your lying down at night. Stay alert to the many choice-points
along the way, being continually aware of My Presence. You will get through this
day one way or the other. One way is to moan and grown, stumbling along with
shuffling feet. This will get you to the end of the day eventually, but there
is a better way. You can choose to walk with Me along the path of Peace,
leaning on Me as much as you need. There will still be difficulties along the
way, but you can face them confidently in My strength. Thank Me for each
problem you encounter, and watch to see how I transform trials into blessings.
1 CORINTHIANS 10:10; LUKE 1:79
First, my Nana was a
devout Christian. Episcopalian. (Church of England.) She loved and worshipped
God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Every. Single. Day. Rarely missed church. Wanted
her grandchildren to be good Christians, too.
Second, she helped me get
through so many days of my life. From the time I was born until I got out of
college. She encouraged me. She supported me. She gave me everything she could—her
time. Her love. As much money as she could part with. (She didn’t consider herself “poor.”
But I’ve known for a long time—since I was in college—that she really was. I
often wish she’d never sent me the money she did. She’d mail me $5 when she had it. Two to three
times each semester. I should have saved it and given it back to her. I
fight that guilt. A lot. Yet I believe she’d be sad I’ve admitted this. Because she
knew I needed help. She was proud to give it to me.)
She was a strong woman.
Optimistic. Opinionated. Funny—even though she never really meant to be! (We
called it the English in her.)
I miss her. I miss her
steadfast faith and loyalty. I miss her unconditional love and support. I’ll
cherish every memory I have of her.
On a sidenote: I’m named for her. TLC is named for her. My
middle sister is named for her. Mary. Nana has six great-great-granddaughters
she never knew. (No great-great-grandsons!) One of them is, of course, named
for her: Little Leighton. But today, one of her great-great-granddaughters
shares her birthday! (She’s 4.) And she should share it—because she’s so much
like my sister (She is truly my sister’s Mini-Me!), My sister that is also named
for Nana. It's very appropriate and special.
Happy Birthday, My
Precious Emily Mary Leighton Byrne! Thank you, Dear God and Jesus—for giving
her to me…THANK YOU.
ELC
No comments:
Post a Comment