My dear Aunt Nora went to be with Jesus last night, after a long battle with cancer. I don't think I've ever posted a picture of her before, but her grandkids and daughters make frequent appearances on this little blog.
There are people writing beautiful, true things about her, at this very moment, all over the world.
...how she trusted God completely.
...how she cared about other people so much, even when she was in pain.
...how she prayed faithfully for specific things, and then praised God when He answered her.
...how she sang with our worship team in front of church, faithfully, every Sunday.
...how she loved Jesus.
...and how she inspired so many people to love Jesus more {myself included}.
...how she loved loved loved her husband, her daughters, her grandchildren, and her son-in-laws.
She was an amazing woman, and I don't say that lightly. Where other people would have despaired, where someone else would have faltered, and when dark news came... she trusted. She thanked God. She was obedient.
When I think of my Aunt Nora, here's the memory that comes to mind:
I'm a little girl, sleeping over at my cousin Katie's house. We stayed up late the night before, eating candy and watching movies, and now it's early morning, and I stumble down the stairs, looking for breakfast. To my left is the kitchen, but to my right is the dining room, and past that, the living room. And there's Aunt Nora. She's sitting on the corner of the couch, Bible open on her lap, cup of coffee on the mug warmer on top of the radiator.
That image is forever imprinted in my mind. Aunt Nora, studying her Bible early in the morning, every morning that I slept over at my cousin's house. She had no idea what she was impressing on her little niece: the importance of faithful, regular time spent with Jesus every morning.
My Aunt Nora left an incredible legacy. Her daughters, her grandchildren, the lives she impacted, and the clear memory of her faith are precious, living gifts.
Thank you God, for Nora Speziale.
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