Erin Wooddell
My NeeNaw is the best. I may be a little biased (because what kid doesn't think their grandparents are the greatest?), but people who meet my NeeNaw love her as much as their own grandparents. That makes it pretty obvious to me that she is a one-of-a-kind, incredible person.
And today is her birthday.
As I was driving back from Delaware this afternoon, I was thinking about her on her special day, and the profound impact she's had on my life. Here are some lessons I've learned from my NeeNaw.
1) Whomever has the need, gets the attention.
With six kids, there were a lot of people vying for her attention. I have no doubt that she often felt as if she was being pulled in every possible direction. But when someone fell and scraped their knee or had a bad day at school, she honed in her focus to help them heal, in the way only mothers can. I experienced this first-hand as her granddaughter.
2) Patience is powerful.
I'm still working on this one. Patience does not come naturally to me, and I am inspired every time I see her work on a puzzle or finish making baby blanket—when I can't even sew on a button without getting frustrated. Her patience also flows from projects to the people in her life. I watch her sometimes when she listens to people discuss their worries or problems, and she never passes judgment or acts irritated that they're taking up her time.
My NeeNaw is the best. I may be a little biased (because what kid doesn't think their grandparents are the greatest?), but people who meet my NeeNaw love her as much as their own grandparents. That makes it pretty obvious to me that she is a one-of-a-kind, incredible person.
And today is her birthday.
As I was driving back from Delaware this afternoon, I was thinking about her on her special day, and the profound impact she's had on my life. Here are some lessons I've learned from my NeeNaw.
1) Whomever has the need, gets the attention.
With six kids, there were a lot of people vying for her attention. I have no doubt that she often felt as if she was being pulled in every possible direction. But when someone fell and scraped their knee or had a bad day at school, she honed in her focus to help them heal, in the way only mothers can. I experienced this first-hand as her granddaughter.
2) Patience is powerful.
I'm still working on this one. Patience does not come naturally to me, and I am inspired every time I see her work on a puzzle or finish making baby blanket—when I can't even sew on a button without getting frustrated. Her patience also flows from projects to the people in her life. I watch her sometimes when she listens to people discuss their worries or problems, and she never passes judgment or acts irritated that they're taking up her time.
3) Faith can get you through anything.
My NeeNaw is the perfect example of unfailing faith. She is a rock. Not one to push her beliefs or feelings on others, the message comes through in the generous and kind way she lives her life. Which leads me to...
4) Selflessness and kindness make a difference in the world.
When the weather is cold and shut-in neighbors can't get out, she takes them food and stays for a visit. When dinners need to be prepared at the church for funerals or church events, she helps out—no questions asked. She is always doing for others, and never expecting anything in return.
5) Be content with what you have.
My longterm goal in life is to find contentment. I know it's attainable, because my NeeNaw has it in spades. She loves her family and loves her life. Though there may be things she's never seen or things she's never had, she doesn't care. She doesn't want for anything. She also never complains, which is an extremely rare trait these days. I remember being a 17-year-old kid, helping her pick berries so she could make my favorite jelly. About twenty minutes in, my back was hurting and I was dying in the heat (whiny, right?) and all I kept thinking was, "NeeNaw is wearing a long-sleeve shirt and she's older than me. She isn't complaining and it's all I want to do. How does she do it?"
6) Family comes first.
Always.
Happy Birthday NeeNaw!
My NeeNaw is the perfect example of unfailing faith. She is a rock. Not one to push her beliefs or feelings on others, the message comes through in the generous and kind way she lives her life. Which leads me to...
4) Selflessness and kindness make a difference in the world.
When the weather is cold and shut-in neighbors can't get out, she takes them food and stays for a visit. When dinners need to be prepared at the church for funerals or church events, she helps out—no questions asked. She is always doing for others, and never expecting anything in return.
5) Be content with what you have.
My longterm goal in life is to find contentment. I know it's attainable, because my NeeNaw has it in spades. She loves her family and loves her life. Though there may be things she's never seen or things she's never had, she doesn't care. She doesn't want for anything. She also never complains, which is an extremely rare trait these days. I remember being a 17-year-old kid, helping her pick berries so she could make my favorite jelly. About twenty minutes in, my back was hurting and I was dying in the heat (whiny, right?) and all I kept thinking was, "NeeNaw is wearing a long-sleeve shirt and she's older than me. She isn't complaining and it's all I want to do. How does she do it?"
6) Family comes first.
Always.
Happy Birthday NeeNaw!