Tribute to My Mother-in-law

On January 28, 2015 my mother-in-law, Margie Lorene Folkner breathed her first breath of heavenly air as she left this earth for a home prepared for her by her Jesus. No, I do not claim to know all about the eternity that awaits us at our passing, but I do know of the faith that sustains in times of trouble. Mom was a woman who adhered to the biblical teachings about a place prepared for her.

As we laid her to rest on February 3, 2015 here are my words I shared:

I met this gentle and soft-spoken godly woman about 32 years ago. I was interested in her daughter, Carolyn.

She was a woman of few words but I knew she sorta liked me. At least I sensed that. Now I am her favorite son-in-law. (married her only daughter)

As I spent time with her and Carolyn, it was at church where I learned of her “power” voice. It resonated with authority. I remember being in her adult Sunday school class that one Sunday, and her godly power was truly there. Her voice resounded with the truth of the Scriptures. This was evident as time went on and I was in other services with her and she was asked to testify — She knew the Word of God and declared it with authority and believed it.

She reflected the true character of Christianity. Any man would be pleased to have such a mother-in-law. Carolyn often said she loved me more than her. I felt the confidence she had in me and respected her.

I never heard her raise her voice in anger or lash out at anyone. If you needed godly intervention, you called on her. Through the events in Carolyn and my lives she was often the go-to source for intercession.

I am thankful for her wise frugality that has passed down to her daughter, my wife—- it means survival in a difficult and cruel world. We appreciated the coupons and tokens of her excess soaps, shampoos, and other products.

I will say — she was a serious game player! She could literally skunk me in the scrabble games, or any word game for that matter. A true strategist. 

Eventually I got to the point of being able to tease her about boyfriends and she would put on that blushing smile, chuckle a bit and always say “no”. 

When the terrible event of dementia attacked her, our visits always included my question about her fictitious boy friend I called "Henry". At each visit I would ask her about "Henry" and she would smile in brief recognition of what I was doing. It brought a smile to my face too. Sometimes she would even chuckle a bit.

It was difficult to visit her the past two years in the rest home and for me to know where she was. It hurt to see her begin to rapidly deteriorate and become less conversant.

I look forward to seeing her in her wholeness and I think maybe we will sit down by the River of Life and join the rest of the family in a game of heavenly scrabble. And we will forget about "Henry".

Thank you, Mom, for bringing Carolyn into this world for me. I am forever grateful and blessed. You have impacted my life with your love and faith.