“Her children arise, and call her blessed ...”

Enid Townsend Platt

1911-2007

Last week God took my mother’s mother home to be with Him.

Family and friends from Colorado, California, Louisiana, and Texas gathered in San Antonio for her memorial service. Her pastor shared the good news of the Gospel, because it was her request that God's merciful plan of salvation and grace be presented at her memorial, for those who may not know. We sang her favorite hymns and shared our memories of Grandma – a time of mixed emotions, joy and sadness and laughter through tears – as we said goodbye to Enid – friend, Mother and Grandma - who will be greatly missed.

She was born Enid Townsend in Kansas in 1911, the first of eight children. She married Fred Platt when they were 19 years old, and they were married for 65 years when Grandpa passed away. Their wedding ceremony was performed by her father, a Quaker minister, and she liked to tell that before the wedding her father said, “I’m going to tie this knot so tight that NOTHING will be able to get it undone!’ I guess it worked!

My mom was the first of six children born to Fred and Enid; they had five daughters and one son, 20 grandchildren and about 30 great grandchildren ... I say “about” because I haven't had my coffee yet and I may have lost count somewhere along the line! And as of right now, one great great grandchild on the way (congratulations to my cousin Debbie, who will be the first of our generation in the family to be a grandparent!)

Fred and Enid lived in Oklahoma and Colorado until the dust bowl and hard times drove them to Southern California, where Grandpa went to work driving a dairy delivery truck, and where they raised their family and lived until Grandpa retired. It boggles my mind to think how the world has changed during their lifetime!

Saturday I took part in a choir retreat, and over lunch I was telling some friends about the memorial service and about Grandma ... one of them said, “What a wonderful heritage!” I heartily agree ... I’ve been very blessed with a strong Christian heritage, from both my father's and mother's side, and I thank God for that!

Grandma was a woman of strong faith, always ready with a kind word for everyone. All her life she was truly a blessing for her family. I’ll close with this passage from Proverbs 31:10-30, which was read at her memorial.

A woman of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.