The passing of Lovington's dearly loved Pat Rogers prompted me to stop once again and ponder the "circle of life", the seasons of our lives and God's hand in it all.
Three fresh, little newborns entered the worlds of Lovington families on Wednesday, Jan. 18. On Thursday, one life left Lovington families and entered eternal glory. We firmly believe she was united with those waiting there for her, and most of all, she saw the Presence of her Lord. What a pep rally that must have been.
Life seems to move in circles, ebbing and flowing, with birth and death as bookends, and this thing called life in between. The dash between the birth and death dates is small but represents, in Pat's case, a life lived to the fullest. Life is the journey, not the destination.
Maw, as most of us knew her, was the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman. Her physical beauty couldn't outshine her inner radiance of kindness and unconditional love for everyone she met. No matter who you were, she made you feel like the most special and most important person to her--and YOU were !
Her graciousness endeared her to everyone she came in contact with--from the littlest Wildcat to the oldest. Heaven only know how many meals she cooked through the years for her kids, grand kids and ALL their friends. The most recent recipients of those meals and love were friends of Taylor. She was Wildcat to the core and never missed an athletic event. She arrived early in her electric chair for those important Wildcat football games--hair done, makeup immaculate, dressed in Wildcat blue, and always had a smile waiting for Taylor and his friends when they looked for her from the field. Neither weather nor ill health deterred her from her Wildcats.Pat's life and presence filled up our hears and this town, and though she's not here physically, we will always have those fond memories of her love and beautiful smile indelibly stamped inside us. This leads me to marvel at the blessing of living in a small town. Life in a small town is special in that when birth or death happen, we circle the wagons around the rejoicing or hurting. We bring flowers, food, cards, love, help and support. Those life experiences weave our lives together like a hand pieced quilt. Some pieces are bright and colorful, while other pieces have tear stains and are faded, but they all fit together to make a beautiful tapestry.
Pat placed many pieces in that tapestry and each one has a different name. Her love for her family and friends is woven deeply throughout the tapestry. "She is clothed with strength and dignity" and her children "arise and call her blessed."
Thank you Maw for being who God called you to be. Tears may be the best words a heart can speak and our hearts are speaking profusely. "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever. His faithfulness continues through all generations." Ps. 100:5
