I love Christmas Cards! I love receiving cards in the mail especially the ones that enclose the family newsletter that give a synopsis of that year’s events and accomplishments. I was cleaning out a drawer and came upon this card.
It was from Nada, one of the most excellent Christians I have ever had the privilege to call friend and mentor. She lived her entire life on the farm, raising crops and children alongside her husband, Evan. In her elegant handwriting, she penned a personal note to us. When I read the last sentence, my eyes swelled with tears. “I bless your chickens with basketfuls of egg this year, 2013”. She understood my heart for homesteading and my love for raising my poultry.
Here is an example of her kindness that endeared her to me.
Once when I had to take my first urban flock out to a mutual friend’s farm, (since the unexpected rooster kept crowing at 3 a.m.). I stopped by her home after saying goodbye to my first small flock of chickens. I told her about having to give my birds away. I thought she might child me for being emotional, as she could tell I was upset. Instead, she agreed with me about how attached you can get to animals, admitting she had cried over a chicken or two in her day as well. Nothing in the world could have comforted me more than those words. My respect for her only increased by her commiserating with my sorrow.
Everyone loved Nada. She was the epitome of a homesteader. I never once heard her raise her voice or get angry. She was very even-keel and steady, but able to express her opinion when warranted. She was what my dad called, “a woman with some spit to her,” which meant someone who had what it took to tough it out through hard times, someone with a backbone. Of course, I mainly saw her at church gatherings, but you can still tell the measure of a person after over twenty-five years of friendship.
She loved to quilt, can, and garden. Her old fruit trees kept her busy preserving their bounty. She most of all loved her family, friends and her Savior Jesus. She was generous in her support to our family all the years we served in missions. I loved going to Nada’s church in Dahlgren. I have never once walked into that church without receiving a warm welcome and sensing the love of Jesus.
Her friends and family hosted a 90th birthday party for her at a local church that had a big enough hall to hold the crowd. I was bone tired that day and almost didn’t attend, but Jim loved her too, so we hopped in the truck and went. The hall was decorated with some of her quilting masterpieces. She could tell you the story of each lovingly crafted quilt. I was so glad to share her special day. She’d told everyone not to fuss and that she didn’t want a celebration, but I am grateful they didn’t listen. She was so happy to see everyone! A few weeks later, she died after a brief illness.
While for many the holidays are a time of delightful happiness, it is also a time to remember those who will not be sharing the place at the table this year. I smile every time I think of my friend, Nada. She shared the Gospel daily by just being herself, living the “good life” on the farm.
I pray for all of you this Christmas is to find the gift of a good friend. Merry Christmas! Be Richly Blessed!
Ann May
