My first view of the house I thought: elaborate home.
After 32 years of being married into that home and clan, I think: God’s greatest blessing.
Nanny had her routine and faithfully purposed it in her heart every week to get those things done. Laundry on Monday (which included a clothes line!), ironing on Tuesday, vacuuming and dusting on Wednesday, groceries on Thursday along with her hair appointment, and Friday was an outdoor day as she got the massive yard ready for Papa to mow on Saturday.
Sunday afternoon BBQ’s around the pool where uninvited or spur of the moment guests were always included and welcomed. Games were played, cannon ball splashing went on in the pool, yet hospitality flowed while Papa cooked and Nanny served.
Memories come flooding back at times, when my own children or grandchildren arrive at my house:
While I’m not the household diva my Mother In Law has always been, I cringe to think of all of the times that she gracefully loved on us with a smile. She cooked, cleaned, babysat, read to, nursed back to health, and loved her husband along with every one of her kids, their spouses, grandchildren and now great grandchildren.
Not once has she ever expected anything in return. She has always loved unconditionally.
1 John 3:16-18 says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers (or sisters, or aunts or uncles or mother in laws). If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words but with actions and in truth.”
Therefore I am privileged to give back to someone who has given so much. The Rausch clan once again rallies together as we make the most amazing wife, loving mother, supportive grandmother and cherished friend feel the love she has lavished on all of us……….
