Grace, Strength & Beauty

Today marks one year since I've seen this beautiful woman....I miss her every single day.  There are so many things I want to talk to her about and get her insight on, my heart just aches missing her.  I'm so incredibly thankful God gave me her for the first 30 years of my life.  Now her lessons live on in my heart until we meet again.  I had the pleasure of giving the eulogy at her funeral last year; it was a weak attempt capturing the essence of this amazing woman in a brief moment:

Dorothy Richards
Better known to family and friends as “Dot” and even better known to loved ones as wife, sister, mother, or g-mom was an amazing woman who leaves behind an example of faith and dedication to the Lord like none before her.

Today as we celebrate her eternal life through Jesus Christ those closest to her reflect on the legacy she impressed upon our lives.  Some of the important lessons in our lives we learned from this beautiful woman…

To some she taught how to be a ‘real’ lady – and that to be treated like a lady, you must conduct and carry yourself like a lady.

To others she taught the importance and impact of a parent’s presence at important life events such as graduations, commissioning and other ceremonies commemorating significant moments in our lives.

And still another learned lesson was the impact of one’s words and the value of thinking before you speak…especially when those words are mixed with strong emotion.

She also taught us service to the Lord is demonstrated by honoring others including our spouses, children, parents and siblings…even when it seems they might not deserve it.

Her devotion and commitment to her loving husband is an example of true marriage built around the loving Savior and how love goes way beyond the words “I love you” – love is demonstrated in attitude and actions.

She also taught us less important lessons that I’m sure will sneak up as subtle reminders of her in moments throughout our days….for example:

The fact it is perfectly acceptable to vacuum one’s house every single day

or

that it is okay to cheer for the Miami Dolphins regardless of how the team actually plays

and

the fact you can never have too many rosters, baseball cards, Barbie dolls, beanie babies or movies…even if that means you accidentally purchase a duplicate copy of any one of these things. 

But perhaps the most important things we learned from her were in her final years with us.  Her faith and love for her Lord and Savior were an example to family, friends, medical providers and even complete strangers.  Even up until her final week with us on earth, she taught us everything works according to His Will and His timing.  Her faith in the Lord was so apparent that it was no surprise to some of us that the Lord waited until a Sunday to call her home because that was “grandma’s day”. 

Her passion for the Lord was unmistakable- to such an extent that on the day of her departing, a granddaughter said “She’s been waiting her whole life for this.  She’s finally home”.  

Her life exemplified Matthew 6:33:  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

May each of us carry Dorothy’s legacy and honor her example by honoring and loving Jesus Christ each and every day.

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May the Lord comfort all those who mourn her absence in our daily lives.

Grace, strength and beauty,

Ashley Lucille