This week marks one year since we lost her. On May 3rd, 2017 she stepped into the arms of her Savior. I imagine they both teared up as they recalled what she had been through. Then I imagine she had much to say about that. My sweet feisty mom-in-law always had lots to say. She would have loved the recent weddings of several of her grand and great-grandchildren. I imagine her wearing her pearls like Barbara Bush and looking classy with her thick white hair. I also imagine sitting beside her as she comments a little too loudly on the girl with the bright orange dress and matching hair. But she would have been thrilled at the sight of one of her great-granddaughters who is expecting twins. I can hear her ‘whispering’ now:

“SHE LOOKS FANTASTIC! Thank GOD she’s FINALLY gained some weight, bless her heart!”

I see her son slowly helping her walk up the path from the wedding venue to the beautifully decorated barn. She stops every few feet to catch her breath and comment that growing old is “for the pits.” Though she spent ninety-one and a half years on this earth, she never tired of seeing new things. She loved Salisbury and read the Post from front to back every day. When a new business came to town, she’d want to ride by it to see what progress they were making. When a new road or bridge was built, she’d want us to take before and after pictures so we could remember how it used to look. And she loved keeping us informed. Sometimes she’d call at a crazy hour to give us a piece of news. Then she’d apologize saying, “I have to say things while the train is still on the track. I never know when it’s going to jump off and make me forget.”

She used to send iris tubers with our daughter to plant wherever she and her pastor husband lived. She loved telling that she had irises all over the United States. When she died, several people dug up tubers to plant in her memory. My sister texted me a picture the other day of Nina’s first blooms in Lynchburg, Virginia. Nina would be so proud. By now she would have invited me over to pick a bouquet. Though she had several large beds of them, for some reason they didn’t bloom this year. I guess there was just no reason to.

Though Nina isn’t there, she left a legacy. She is remembered for many things like her care for others; great home cooked meals; her tender heart and wonderful sense of humor. She had such strength in the midst of hard circumstances; and a sense of duty to do what’s right no matter what. But her best legacy was all about family. Oh how she loved us! I wish you could have known her. Like her irises, Nina left a splash of color everywhere she went.

What a beautiful southern lady!

Lynna Clark lives in Salisbury. Read more at LynnasWonderfulLife.wordpress.com