We mourn the earthly loss of her and I can hardly believe it's been an entire year. When I say we, I mean her extended family and a multitude of friends.
Jesus feed more than 5000 on a hillside, Nancy Jane likely loved on more than that. There is no better example of christian love and grace, than the oldest daughter, middle child of Lora V and Herbert M Craft. Nancy Jane was a constant in my childhood and growing up, along with her younger sister Suzanne and older brother, David. We lived approximately five hours apart but managed to visit each other several times a year.
I cannot remember Nancy without remembering from where she came. Aunt Lora, my mothers older sister was a beautiful, strong woman with a drive and intellect that rivaled any man and she knew it. There was a side to Aunt Lora few may have seen. She had a soft spot for those who struggled, I believe her humble roots never left her. I know my mother loved her sister deeply but she also admired her, which said a great deal about who she was.
Many years ago mama shared this story with me. Laughing and enjoying sister time, they walked to the car on a particular grocery trip. Aunt Lora asked mama to get in the car, she would only be a minute. Mama loaded their groceries and sat down in the car. Aunt Lora walked to a nearby car with children, a young mother and father. After a couple minutes of talking together Aunt Lora went back into the store, the mother beside her. They soon emerged laughing and smiling with enough groceries to fill the car. Mama watched as the young man sheepishly thanked her and Aunt Lora shook her head as if to say "not necessary." What Aunt Lora had noticed my mother had not, was something about the young man that told her he had served his country. My aunt was, as we say, "good people."
My Uncle Herbert (Uncle Hub) countered his wife in personality about as perfectly as anyone could. A gentle, easy-going soul with kind eyes, handsome, full of humor and loving. His children knew when he meant business and when he was simply amused with them. My Uncle Herbert loved his sports almost as much as he loved his Lora. That precious man could eat more ice cream than anyone I ever knew. I don't know where he put all that ice cream! Together, they raised three intelligent, loving children. Nancy Jane had the gentle graciousness of her father and the "get it done" drive of her mother. She liked to remain low key and out of the spotlight. Always attentive if you needed her, she gave great thought when asked a question and had strong opinions yet was gentle in her replies or any rebuff.
What I remember most as a child was how she could diffuse a situation or a person with ease- (usually her mother) My Aunt Lora's personality was often very intense. I would see her get all wound up about something, usually details that didn't get finished or completed in the manner she would have preferred. Nancy could breeze in with a smile, add a different perspective to solve the same problem and completely diffuse her mother. My Aunt Lora would smile and you could see her mood change instantly. Nancy had a gift and a way with her mother. God-given I am sure and I'm guessing the entire family loved her more for it.
[Melanie and Nancy]
God's Word has quite a bit to say about our serving one another. Nancy sought to bring honor and glory to God daily. She was not perfect, as none of us are but she had a gift and the heart of a servant.
She married and raised two beautiful, intelligent children. I know they will carry her lessons with them for a lifetime. I watched her daughter lovingly and gently care for her mother throughout her illness. It's in the blood, an attitude of gratitude. It's a learned gift to care for someone you love, knowing what makes them feel comforted and secure. You did it well Melanie.
It's a strange thing, living without one's mother. It's often as if an appendage has been removed from your body but eventually you adjust to your new normal. You make new memories but you still want to tell your Mother about them. My own mother died eight years ago tonight, 12:01 a.m. May 1st and I still sometime want to pick up the phone and tell her something fabulous or share my day with her. It is no longer painful to think about her, there is only joy where she once was.
The week before Nancy passed I had the opportunity of sitting with her one last time. We talked of family and how fortunate we were to have grown up in the time we did, of all the fun we had as children, of our connection through the years. I am better for having grown up with this family, with these people as mine. I carry them with me daily.
Nancy leaves a legacy of love and grace, a perfect example of how we should treat each other in the time we are given. I cannot even imagine the depth and scope of who she touched in her life.
That's just one person, imagine what you can do with a little love and grace.
