Virginia Tanner Chamberlain, was an extraordinary woman, who lived a seemingly ordinary life. Ordinary to most, but not to her family. Widowed at age 44, just a few months before my birth, she finally is reunited with Grandpa Arch.
Though she was a widow for over half of her life she was never lonely. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren wrapped their love around her for over 45 years as we visited her each Sunday. These visits became such a ritual and tradition that Sunday evenings seem unfamiliar these days. Few have the privilege to be blessed with a close relationship with a grandmother and great grandmother as we have had. Such a rare blessing.
Yet as I reflect on the flood of memories, I consider the greatest legacy Grandma Ginny left me: family is everything. From family can only true joy and happiness come. She was a happy, witty, and energetic woman, yet her happiness did not come from a spacious home, a nice car, nor exotic vacations - for she had none of these. It all came from family. And the beauty of it is that it cost nothing - to her nor to us. The greatest blessing and satisfaction in life is actual free - it is actual right around us - our family.
So, Grandma, as I seek for true happiness in life, I promise to follow your legacy and seek it in those God has chosen to be my family. I will carry on your legacy and never let the world get in the way of family. I will fight for the blessing to be with parents, children, cousins, aunts, uncles and future grandchildren. Thank you for the joys and memories that I have experienced these past 45 plus years, and for the legacy of family that I will pass on to future generations.
Back in 2002 I wrote a song in honor of Grandma. I now have added a final verse:
Where We Belong
For generations to this home we're drawn
Led by spirits long past
Finding warmth of friendships that last
This place is where we belong
We've worked and played on this blanket of lawn
Explored every inch of the yard
Our imaginations carried us far
In this home where we belong
New faces come, time passes along
But constant is the place
Where families gather and celebrate
At Grandma’s, where we belong
What lures us here to this simple home
Where love and kinship abide?
Her heart speaks the reason why
With Grandma is where we belong
She’s journeyed on, to a place so longed
Where loved ones she now greets
A celebration, joyous and sweet
Grandma’s now, where she belongs
We now long for a heav’nly home
The place where she now abides
Once again we’ll be by her side
With Grandma, where we belong
Once again we’ll be by her side
With Grandma, where we belong
For more pictures of Grandma Ginny see: http://picasaweb.google.com/pachamberlain01
4 comments:
I forgot about that song. It's so good. Looking back on my favorite parts of my life, Sunday at Grandma Ginny's with the family were some of the very best.
You should look at my blog; I wrote a list of memories that stick out the most to me about Grandma.
Amen. I will miss Grandma lots. She embraced me and made me part of the family the fist time I met her, and she really became my Grandma too.
What a beautiful song. I'm sorry to hear of her passing.
Hi Paul this is Brooke Donaven sis, I really enjoyed that, what sweet words!
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