A Matriarch Passes
Great Aunt Naomi was buried today.
For the past year I have promised myself that I would get up one morning and drive to see her. I heard she had wonderful stories. Everyone said that her long term memory was intact.
I’d spoken to her over the 33 years I’ve been married into the family, but our conversations had always been superficial.
I learned some interesting things about her today at the celebration of life.
*Her close family pronounce her name, Nay- O- muh.
*She knew the name of every wild flower that grew in the arid hills and ravines, and where to find them.
*If you wanted to know what animal left its tracks or scat, Nay-O-muh was your gal.
*Nay-O-muh never yelled or was cross to anyone. Ever. In fact, one of her nephews who spent summers on the ranch said that he practiced his swear words out by the harvest equipment. Nay-O-muh never chastised or corrected him.
*Although she was a petite woman, her hands were as strong as a man’s … the hands of a wheat rancher.
*Nay-O-muh wrote a memoir, parts of which were read to the many people who came to honor her today.
That last one prompted me to make a new plan. Next week I am going to call her daughter and ask for a copy of Naomi’s memoirs, and get permission to publish some of her history on this blog.
Naomi was a physically beautiful woman. The daughter, at 86, is also still attractive.
It appears that all the granddaughters are carrying on the fair maiden tradition. (It isn’t fair, I tell ya!)
And, it was very apparent that they all thought that their mother, grandmother, great, and great- great grandmother was even more beautiful on the inside.
That is a legacy.
For the past year I have promised myself that I would get up one morning and drive to see her. I heard she had wonderful stories. Everyone said that her long term memory was intact.
I’d spoken to her over the 33 years I’ve been married into the family, but our conversations had always been superficial.
I learned some interesting things about her today at the celebration of life.
*Her close family pronounce her name, Nay- O- muh.
*She knew the name of every wild flower that grew in the arid hills and ravines, and where to find them.
*If you wanted to know what animal left its tracks or scat, Nay-O-muh was your gal.
*Nay-O-muh never yelled or was cross to anyone. Ever. In fact, one of her nephews who spent summers on the ranch said that he practiced his swear words out by the harvest equipment. Nay-O-muh never chastised or corrected him.
*Although she was a petite woman, her hands were as strong as a man’s … the hands of a wheat rancher.
*Nay-O-muh wrote a memoir, parts of which were read to the many people who came to honor her today.
That last one prompted me to make a new plan. Next week I am going to call her daughter and ask for a copy of Naomi’s memoirs, and get permission to publish some of her history on this blog.
Naomi was a physically beautiful woman. The daughter, at 86, is also still attractive.
It appears that all the granddaughters are carrying on the fair maiden tradition. (It isn’t fair, I tell ya!)
And, it was very apparent that they all thought that their mother, grandmother, great, and great- great grandmother was even more beautiful on the inside.
That is a legacy.
Comments
Some of Danny's family says our Naomi's name that way, too. I've always thought it was the strangest thing. They trip all over it and just can't seem to say it Nay-oh-mee. When we were visiting PW, she asked, "How do you say the nah, the N-A name?" It never occurred to me that people wouldn't know Na was "Nay" and short for Naomi:o) There are actually quite a few people around here who cannot say Nay-oh-mee. In addition to Nay-oh-muh, they also say No-mee and No-amy.
Finally, I love that you had a celebration of life for Great Aunt Naomi instead of a funeral. I know "memorial service" is supposed to convey the same sentiment, but I like "celebration of life". That's what I want when it's my time. I want people to tell stories and laugh and remember the good times more than the present sorrow. I think it's easier for people when it comes at the end of a very long and full life, so I'd like to live to be very old, too. Just to make it easier on everyone else;o)
Doesn't it make you wonder what wonderful things your family will say about you some day? ;-)
What a great story of a great lady. I hope you are able to publish her stories here.
These old gals were great, strong, wonderful women.
And I've missed it.
Yeah, I'm comin' back...
(((BIG WET SMOOCHES)))
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