 |
| With her baby boy and nephew |
 |
| In her early twenties--wasn't she stylish? |
 |
| As a thirty-something |
 |
| Marian's middle years |
 |
| Four generations |
 |
| One of her most difficult moments... |
 |
| With two of her grand girlies |
 |
| Easter dinner, 2015. Granddaughter, Erika on the left, great grandson, Caleb on the right |
 |
| At our wedding, she welcomed Jim into the family |
 |
| Marian at 93 1/2 years old, me in my knee scooter. July, 2015 |
She was the ultimate grandmother and great-grandmother. Marian would always have treats for each of them when they visited her house. It didn’t matter if she lived in her own home, an apartment in the retirement center, or even in the room at the adult foster home. There were Jelly Bellies, Hershey’s Kisses, and Werther’s butter creams. For nearly all of her life, there were home made chocolate chip cookies, and at Christmas time, Spritz, Butter Pecan Balls, Thimble Cookies, and many others. Oh, and root beer floats. She made cookies until she couldn’t see to put them together, though I’m sure she knew the recipes by heart.
She was a wonderful mother who loved her boys fiercely. They were her life—as were her four nephews and one niece. Once her sons, Bill and Don were married, she became a mother-in-law. She was gracious and kind. That’s not to say she didn’t have her own opinions about baby care and child raising. Sometimes I thought she was right and I welcomed her advice. Other times I resisted her advice and if I did, she would not say any more. Throughout the 53 years of knowing Marian, I always felt accepted and loved by her. She didn’t have daughters and when Nancy and I became her son’s wives, she considered us “hers”.
She was also a devoted wife to George, her husband of 59 years. He had multiple health problems and she was always by his side in sickness and in health.
It’s really hard to believe I can’t call Mom on the phone and invite her to an event at my home. It’s really hard to believe I won’t sit and visit in her home—with a cup of coffee and a cookie.
Before she moved out of her house and into an apartment, she was the ultimate hostess. There were birthdays, barbecues, picnics at Lewisville Park, and Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter dinners. It didn’t matter if the numbers were many, we somehow all fitted into her dining room. And her food was tasty. “Mama’s dumplings were always better than mine,” she’d say. I didn’t agree. Marian’s food was just as good. Mashed potatoes and creamy gravy, along with fried chicken, clams or fish—all fried with Crisco—and of course, pot roast with browned potatoes and carrots. There was always dessert: apple, pumpkin or my favorite, lemon meringue pie, German chocolate cake, strawberry shortcake, and many other delectable confections.
More than an ultimate hostess though, she was a praying woman. It’s hard to believe she won’t be praying for all of her family members and her friends anymore, those prayers that were as an incense to our Savior.
Marian had her difficult days. And during these days, she was incredibly brave. She’d said goodbye to her husband of 59 years. Her siblings and friends. Those good-byes were expected, but I think the hardest goodbye she had to endure was when her son, Bill, died. In her grief, she extended her love and sympathy to me. I won’t forget that.
When she had to move from her family home, pare down her belongings, and move to a retirement home in a smaller apartment, she did it. Without much complaint, for she knew that was the best for her.
After she moved, she was unable to hostess those family dinners and parties, and was grateful to be included in our family activities.
What can I say about Marian Rudberg that I haven’t already said? She was a godly woman, who loved her Savior mightily. She prayed powerful prayers and memorized many Bible verses. The binding on her Bible, worn, the pages tattered, with much handling. Each year, she included in her Christmas card, a verse she selected as her yearly verse for the upcoming year. She most likely memorized it.
Though she was challenged with dementia in her last days, she never forgot her family. Always knew me—and even Jim who’d only been in her life for two years.
I’m going to miss Mom. It’s hard to believe she’s not on this earth anymore. But I’m so glad I have the assurance I’ll see her again when I leave my life here for heaven. Though it has been five days since she entered her eternal rest, I believe she’s still worshipping her Lord and Savior and thanking Him for what He did for her. We don’t know exactly how heaven is, but I’m pretty sure there were people waiting for her when she entered those eternal gates. Her parents, friends through the decades, her husband, her son, and the grand baby she never met. Wow.
Good-bye Marian Rudberg, I’ll see you later for this is not the end. We love you. We’ll miss you. But we’ll see you again.
For more about Marian, see the following link:
http://myredleatherjacket.blogspot.com/2011/12/tribute-to-marian.html
No comments:
Post a Comment