Of Noble Character
How do you want to be remembered?
This past week I began the tedious, yet rewarding, effort of going through boxes of greeting cards and other memories similar. In these jewel boxes I found the memorial program for a woman named Pearl Alf. In a previous story about my husband’s grandfather I mentioned lifelong friend’s Raymond and Pearl Alf.
Pearl was a teacher, artist and poet. The cover of her program began with the words below by Confucius and a gorgeous inking she rendered of the prolific flowering Lily Guinea Gold. With golden speckled petals, they are known as the crowning glory of a summer garden.
Inside of the program I found a notecard from Pearl that I had saved with her familiar drawing of the Lilies. Her program was laced with worship, prayer, scripture, remembrances, her favorite poems and her own poetic thoughts. Our friendship was only a few years old.
Recently, I had lamented about memory. How far back can I remember? How is my mom remembering so much in her later years? Why do some of my children struggle with their own childhood memories that seem so vivid to me?
Boxes sitting in a dusty attic keeping our memories safe and secure. Pictures of who we were, who we are and what we might become.
It was Christmas time 1990 and my cards had been mailed. I had a three year old and a 22 month old. During this time I began to purchase toddler slip-on tennies and little t-shirts. I painted palm trees and boats on them. My friend Cathy and I would also collect men’s old suit vests and jackets, sewing vintage buttons, and adorning lace on them. We’d bake, set up coffee and tea and do boutiques in my home. Eventually other friends would contribute their creations. For us stay-at-home moms we created community and we found a way to create.
Pearl wrote in her notecard to me these words: “you should be in journalism - you write so well; and your sense of humor is so good. Also, you’re a great photographer. Never have I seen more adorable pictures than the ones you have taken of your beautiful children. Thank you for sending all that wonderful Christmas cheer! Love, from Pearl & Ray.”
Christmas Lights by Pearl
Clusters of little stars
on the jade plant
Twinkling at the day time sky
Welcome back
Gentle evening
Lights are glimmering
Through the trees
Our neighbors are home
Anna Pearl Alf passed away on December 22nd, not long after I received that note. Just shy of 90 years old. Her light still burning bright.
An unexpected discovery in a box reminding me of who I was and who I might become.
In the year 2000, with all three of our children busy in school, I found myself in school for photography. I would end up an older woman in the field of photography for over 20 years.
Almost embarrassed to display her words here, I’m not sure I ever believed them. Yet there they were and 11 years later I was actually doing what she thought I could do.
In 2022, with an aching in my heart, I would desperately find my way onto this writing platform.
Pearl symbolized her name.
A much older and wiser woman giving me a ticket to dream about being myself in the midst of being a young “mom.”
Someone who I didn’t know well, yet saw a pearl inside of me?
On Saturday we attended the memorial for the most beautiful of women. At least three times Nancy Laurina Youngblood was described as a “woman of noble character.” She was born in 1946 and passed away February 13th, within 3 months of a rare cancer diagnosis, while on the road with her husband. They were heading toward their third and final act., settling in Tennessee with family.
A serene, and deeply convicted woman it was apparent that Nancy loved God with all her heart, soul, mind and strength. Most importantly she trusted Him in every season of her life. I remember her beautiful smile and the wisdom written all over her face before she spoke. Oh how I wish I could attain one quarter of that wisdom. Nancy was our first church’s secretary. If you called the church it was her kind voice you heard. She would grow to lead a mid-life woman’s group, learned sign language so that no one was left out of worship or any other areas she could participate in and so much more. Nancy’s hands and arms were the extension of a ballerina as she expressed words in sign. She was an artist, creative spirit and saw pearls inside of those she knew and met. For many years, after moving to Wrightwood, California, Nancy owned and operated a gift shop where people would come from all over for her hand painted bags.
For all of the verses in the Bible to choose from, Nancy’s favorite verse was this:
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD
and exult in my saving God.
GOD, my Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet swift as those of deer
and enables me to tread upon the heights. -
Habakkuk 3:18-19, last words of a hymn to God’s reign and mighty power.
From the little known book of Habakkuk, in the Old Testament, a prayer of the prophet Habakkuk. He was the only prophet to devote his entire work to the question of the justice of God’s government in the world. A dialogue is followed by a series of observations on the disastrous nature of tyranny, and by a vivid description in chapter 3 of God’s appearance to save the people.
After reading this book, I realized the extent of daily practice it takes to shed our flesh and trust in His ways. This verse describes a woman that lived to pursue the effort of great heights.
Letting go and letting God lead.
In the end, Nancy asked God to use her in the midst of excruciating pain to reach others. Nancy understood “the purpose of light” while living.. and in keeping that light on during a painful death.
I have not been able to stop thinking about this.
He makes my feet swift as those of a deer? incredible.
I can tread these heights.
Can I shine bright until the end?
I don’t believe I will achieve the memory of someone with noble character yet I’d like to pursue the effort of half.
See the pearls in others.
Speak truth to light.
Pursue my purpose.
..and consider it love.
That’s how I’d like to be remembered.
Lovely to read. Pearls of wisdom!
I am sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute. Thinking of you.
😊🥰