a tribute to Grammy

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My name is Ray. I’m Beverly’s son-in-law.

My first memory of Beverly is from 45 years ago. Jenny and I were in high school, and we were standing on the walk in front of her house on Madison Street in Arlington. We had just been on our third date and I had mustered up the courage to kiss her good night. And I did.

Then, from behind me, there was a tap on my shoulder. I must have jumped 40 feet into the air! I turned around. It was Jenny’s mom. She said, “Can I have some of that?” It’s a good thing that it was dark because I’m sure that my face was crimson red.

During the past 5 years, when I would tell people that my mother-in-law lives with us, I would always quickly add, “She has an attitude to die for.” That’s what I will remember most about my mother-in-law, Beverly—her attitude.

It ‘s not that she led a pain-free or a carefree life. Not at all. To name a few, Mom had lymphedema, bad knees, diabetes, kidney failure, and arthritis. She suffered with them for MANY years. She wasn’t rich. She worked inside and outside her home. She experienced firsthand The Great Depression and World War II, being alone, while her husband was away fighting. She was quite aware of all the evil in the world.

And yet, Mom had an “attitude to die for”. It was because of her faith. She knows the Bible. She knows that she is a child of God, that Jesus died for her, and that God wants her to be with Him in heaven. She understands that to her core.

Mom told me last week that she had “rounded the last bend” and that she was “headed for home”. Mom said, “It’s FINALLY my turn. I’m at the head of the line”. She was excited.

Mom is home now, and I’m happy for her. She’s finally with her Father in heaven, Who she’ll be spending all eternity with.

I learned a LOT from Mom, and from her attitude. I still have a LOT to learn, but fortunately for me, Mom lives on in her daughter, Jenny, who, like her Mom, has “an attitude to die for”. That’s quite a legacy!

Mom and Jenny are my “gifts from God”. He put them in my life so that through them I might know Him better.

Thank you, Mom, for your example. And thank you for your daughter, who continues your fine example of faith, hope, and love in a life well lived.
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Cool vs. nerd

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Taunting has been around forever. It just seems like it’s worse now than ever before.

In school there were those who were “cool”, and those who were nerds. The “cool” were totally image conscience. They had to look cool, and sound cool, which usually meant that they didn’t say much (for fear of sounding “uncool”). They “went along with the crowd”, which is what being cool is all about (pack mentality).

Nerds, on the other hand, are distinctly uncool. They don’t particularly care about how others think that they look. They study hard. They’re not afraid to raise their hand in class and speak up when they’ve got the answer to the teacher’s question. They get As when the rest of the pack gets Cs (or worse).

Mature adults realize that there’s nothing cool about being mediocre, never taking a stand, and following the pack. After all, mature adults have seen how the cool end up working for the nerds.
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Semper Fi

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On Friday Jenny and I went to Navy Federal Credit Union at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island.

I love to go there. While Jenny was in the credit union, I stayed outside watching the recruits drill. A master sergeant came up to me and explained that I was watching Echo Company, and that they were in their third week of training. He said that they were doing well, and that before long they would graduate. I thanked the sergeant for his service to our country. He responded as so many do when I thank them, “no problem, sir.”

We ate lunch at Subway in the bowling alley next to the credit union. It was like family. The employees at Subway, the Marines, and the families of Marines were all having such a good time. They laughed and kidded with each other just the way that families do.

I never go to Parris Island that I’m not touched deeply by what I see. We owe so much to the those serving in the military, and to their families. Their service is not easy in so many ways. But they serve with such grace, and joy. God bless them, and God bless America.

Semper Fi!
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