Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life….

She finds wool and flax and busily spins it… She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work…

She is energetic and strong, a hard worker… Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.

She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy… She has no fear of winter for her household because all of them have warm clothes…

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions. She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequence of laziness.

Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:  “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.   … selections from Proverbs 31 (NLT)

I tend to view her as perfect, especially in my older years.  She would be the first to say she is not.  I’m glad she isn’t.

In my young person life she was the first grown-up to speak these words to me… “I’m sorry”…. “forgive me”…. “I love you, let’s fix this”.

In my old person life, I see her face and work through her shortcomings… which in turn helps me deal with mine.

It’s OK not to be perfect.

She still leads the way in humble grace… being altogether lovely.

Thank you, Mom