As we celebrate the life of our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, neighbor, and friend, I am once again reminded of the exceptional characteristics and values we have learned from her and the people of this, the great Blacklick Valley – people such as you, your parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.
From the most difficult and trying of times to our best days and celebrations, you have left us with a heritage and legacy; preparing all of us to engage the future and change the piece of the world God has purposed us to transform, no matter how great or how small.
As miners, steelworkers, lumberjacks, farmers, soldiers, and wives, you imparted to us a fearless resolve to press forward in spite of life’s circumstances. You taught us to trust in God, to rely on the abilities and common sense He relegated to us, and to embrace family and friend. Without explanation or apology, you indoctrinated us in the virtues and ethics of hard work simply because “you said so.” You constantly reminded us to take pride in who we were and where we were from, so that in turn, we knew where we were going.
You were not without your imperfections, but after watching your lives I am convinced now, more than ever, that the Book of Life is more than a mere list of imperfect believers, it’s the unending, miraculous accounts of the perfections of grace.
Today, as we celebrate my grandmother’s life, it is appropriate that another member of “The Greatest Generation”, who toiled incessantly through The Great Depression, two world wars, and the era of “big coal” and steel, will be laid to rest on a day we celebrate the backbone of America and rest from our labors, and while our family may be fewer in number, we are greater than the sum of our parts because of our legacy, our heritage, and God’s love and grace.
©Copyright 2013 Scott Rhoades/Ivory Hill Studios
Scott Rhoades 
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