As Mother’s Day approaches I am struck by how often I talk to Linda and how often she answers me.
Every day my thoughts still settle on my friend…perhaps she lets us still feel close. If anyone could do that, she could! So I say, “Look! The PURPLE irises are in bloom!,” and my heart fills with our love for purple.
This message was taken from a sympathy card that was sent to the family and is being shared here with the author’s permission:
Dear Warren and family,
I’ve never met you and I only had the privilege of interacting with your wife (and mother) a few times. However, those brief times would prompt me to call Linda a “friend.” Even though her time here on Earth was, we feel, ended prematurely, God sees the beginning, the end, and all the times in between. What she did during her lifetime was filled with goodness, enthusiasm, generosity, and passion.
After attending the Tri M concert in Linda’s memory, I was prompted to tell you this story: Twelve years ago, I went to a craft fair/bazaar at the Presbyterian Church. Unexpectedly, I found a dedication gown for my son from one of the vendors. I had not brought sufficient funds for this type of purchase with me. At the time, I lived on Dickinson Road, so I was going to run home and come back with more money. I asked the vendor to ‘hold’ the gown for me. Linda offered to buy it for me and I could pay her back. (Who does that for a “stranger?”)
Linda obeyed the great command of our Lord: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Sincerely,
Angie Chadwell
Linda and I taught together and last year, when she saw me sing The Button Factory (by Dr. Jean) and create an integrated speech lesson around the theme of buttons, she went home and brought me a handful of really cool buttons for the lesson. She had a collection of these buttons—elephant buttons, an apple button, shiny buttons – the kids loved them. Every time I use that theme, her buttons will always be a part of ‘the Miss Ann show’ and as such she will always be a part of my teaching. What touched me was that I never asked for the buttons, she just did it—and that is who Linda was—always thinking of others and just doing. It’s a gift and we can only hope to honor her memory by trying to embody some of those wonderful character traits.
Three months ago I was running errands, coming home from school, on my way home after a long day. I placed a phone call to my mother, who sounded more tired than usual. She said to call me back when I got home. When I arrived, I unlocked the door and called mom back. That’s when she told me the news. Shocked was not the word. But I immediately remembered one of my first memories of Linda.
When I was 14, Linda and mom had started spending more time together. I needed a dress for the 8th grade graduation dance – it was island themed. One morning we (meaning my mom and sister, Linda and Jen, Corinne and Emilie) piled into that famous mini-van and drove for a while – the name of our destination escapes me now. It was so nice to be with a group of ladies, shopping, talking, and having a good time. When I finally picked out my dress, Linda loved it, and even suggested getting something for my hair. On the way home we joked about the dance, who was going and who wasn’t, and the older girls recalled their 8th grade dance experiences. It was a fun trip, and I knew that Linda was going to become a part of our family, as well as the rest of the Gardners.
That was the first of many journeys I remember taking with Linda. She has done so much for my family, and I thank God for her and her family constantly.
If you asked me who Linda was, I couldn’t give you a solid answer. She was my sister’s baby-sitter, she was my mom’s friend, she was Jen, Dan, and Andrew’s mom. She wore a lot of hats. If you asked me what she was, a few words come to mind. The one that sticks out the most is amazing.
Thank you for everything, Linda. And thanks for that rainbow.
Linda was the reason of so much of my life now and future. She loved watching me grow up (I’ve been told) and cared so much for me as my first baby sitter. I was so devastated when I heard the news. I remember it clearly and will probably always. I was so shocked, angry, hurt, saddened, and also felt deprived. I mean she was supposed to be there at my first broadway musical (my dream job) and stuff like that. She touched so many lives and I was very lucky she was part of my life. In my 12 years of living on this wonderful earth there is still one thing that really puzzles me…death. Death is something that we can’t understand (not yet anyway). But I do know one thing about death. For there to be death there must be life. Linda will always have a place in my heart. And at least I have my lord and savior Jesus Christ.
My family moved to New Jersey in 1984–the sixth time we had moved since our marriage in 1976. My older daughter started first grade shortly thereafter and my 3 year old, Laura and I were lonely and a little “lost”. I took Laura to storytime at the local library and she, being a quiet little girl, immediately sat herself down next to the only other child with her intent and quiet demeanor–a lovely blonde curly-haired child with pink glasses. I noticed Linda, this child’s mother, and we struck up a friendship as did our daughters. As time went on, we became close friends and storytime evolved to include play dates and lunches together, sometimes at Linda’s house and sometimes at mine. Laura and I were both thrilled to find just what was missing–best friends! Linda and I shared tales and tribulatio ns of being stay-at-home moms, husbands who worked long hours or multiple jobs so that we could stay home to raise our own children, recipes, and maternity clothes. Soon Danny came along and shortly after that, my son, Kevin. Linda listened to me cry on the phone with all the time in the world to listen to my heartache when things went wrong and offered comfort that no one else could understand. We shared about two years together before the inevitable happened and my husband’s job took us off to another state. We stayed in touch through the tough time I had house hunting and moving with two little girls and a newborn son. While I lived like a single parent for four months, Linda was my lifeline. After the move, Linda and her family came to visit us in our new home, but as happens in busy lives, we drifted apart and the cards and letters became less frequent and eventually stopped. I didn’t understand at first, but I came to realize that Linda had given me such a gift. The knowledge and experience that enabled me and my children to know that we could make great friends by just walking up to a likely prospect and introducing ourselves. We moved six more times after that and now have made friends in many parts of the country. (We do have a soft spot for the library friends!) I think by gently breaking away, Linda helped me to grow and to teach that skill to my children. Of course, I have never forgotten Linda and her kindness to me and have thought of her many times over the years. I was happy that I found her on Facebook recently, but alas, before we did much catching up, I saw the news of the accident the day before my Laura’s wedding. My heart aches for her family. Warren, I am so glad that you are recovering from your injuries. Jenny, we remember you so fondly as Laura’s dearest and first best friend. Dan–you were the cutest, happiest baby ever–it’s hard for me to think of you as all grown up! Andrew–I did not have the chance to know you, but I do know that your mother was oh so happy when you arrived–I am deeply sorry for your loss. Thank you all for sharing your wife and mother with me and my family. She will never be forgotten. I have though of her every year on this date and said a prayer of thanksgiving that she was my friend.
When my son Marco was four years old, I had serious doubts about in-home child care. But Glassboro’s Child Study Team said one of the area’s best caregivers lived right on my own street. It was Linda.
The moment I met her I knew she’d be good for my son. I didn’t know she’d also be good for me. Marco ended up spending five years in her wonderful, loving care. During that time Linda taught him skills like how to blow his nose and how to get along with other children. Meanwhile, she was teaching me how to be a better mother, more sensitive to his needs.
She taught me the importance of celebrating every occasion. She would never let a child’s birthday go by without homemade goodies, a present, and a fun celebration. Halloween parades around Rodgers School were a big event, and Christmastime always brought a special gift handcrafted by Marco (with lots of help from Linda, I’m sure). These treasures still brighten our home on the holidays.
No matter how exhausted she must have been by the end of the day, Linda didn’t rush parents out the door when we came to pick up our children. Instead, she listened with interest and compassion as we poured out our troubles, asked her advice, or exchanged funny stories. I always loved talking to Linda, whether it was about heavy issues or just silly things.
When I heard about the rainbow appearing over Rodgers School on October 4th, all I could think was, Linda made the world a more beautiful place while she was here. Now she’s doing the same for Heaven.
I’m so very grateful that God put Linda in our lives. She was truly a blessing.
25 years ago, laughing and talking 3 hours non-stop on a joint trip to our mom’s – minivan full of juice boxes, snacks, and potty seat. Linda’s wisdom – one day trip – pack enough to survive for 3 days – keep ’em happy!
20 years ago watching Linda slice onions – such extravagance – she tosses the outer INCH! I never slice onions any other way since and smile at the toss…
10 years ago – I find out we both LOVE Havlah bars and prefer marbled! Everyone else cringes…
all moments I have always treasured and now hold tight…
Scripture
Colossians 3:12-15 (New International Version)
1Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Message of Hope
I read this passage because it reminded me of Linda. She clothed herself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. She was forgiving. She put on love. And she was thankful.
There is a song called “To Live His Song.” The verse goes like this:
To live his song, to be his music;
to know a harmony with Christ that sings and soars;
to live his song, even when sorrowing;
To live his peace, his joy, his love, to live his song.
Linda lived the song of God. In life, she lived in harmony with Christ that sung and soared. We have been given a gift. The gift of knowing Linda. We were given this gift for 56 years, all of us knowing her in various degrees and numbers of years. As we think of this gift, let us turn our thoughts from what has been taken from us to what has been given us. Here are two gifts Linda has given us:
She left us with the assurance that we were loved.
The first time I encountered Linda was over the phone. I was living in Madison, WI, and she called to say that their church had an opening for a pastor, and would I be interested in interviewing for this position. I don’t remember much of that first conversation, but I do remember Linda’s voice.
Linda had a wonderful voice, didn’t she. It embodied who see was. It was a musical voice filled with warmth, joy, kindness, gentleness, peace, love. It was a voice that said she was interested in you. She didn’t have to say those words; you just knew by the tone of it. She had a gift of meeting someone and within a short period of time, she had you thinking you had been friends for a long time. We felt loved when we encountered Linda. To live God’s song, to be his music.
Linda loved her family; they were her world. She talked about them all the time. Go out into the hallway today and look at those pictures, and in almost every single one, she was loving her family. She loved having them around her. She and Warren had an amazing marriage with a deep love for one another. To live God’s song, to be his music.
Linda loved people. She included everyone, always seeing the good in them. Someone may disappoint her, but she never thought bad of them. She didn’t think of herself first – even with the stranger. You are all here because you were loved. To live God’s song, to be his music.
There was a gentleness, yet a toughness. There was emotion but strength. We could count on her for anything. She never let us down. If we were in trouble or needed something, Linda was there. To live God’s song, to be his music.
We were left with the gift of being loved. I believe that God gives us people like Linda who loved greatly and so deeply, because that is the kind of love God has for us. “Show them, Linda.” God says, “Show them how much I love them.” The Bible says nothing in heaven or earth can separate us from this great love of God, not even death.
Linda gave us the assurance we were loved. Linda gave us another gift.
She left us a good example on how to carry on our lives.
To know Linda is to know you met someone special. To know Linda was to know greatness and kindness. She taught us by her example how to live life. She lived life with gusto, joy, great energy, and laughter. Life was fun. I don’t how many times I heard – “It will be fun.” To live God’s song, to be his music.
Linda’s gift is what she did for others. She knew what she was good at and did it. Being a foster parent. Always making room in her house for those who needed it, many of them friends of her own children. To live God’s song, to be his music.
Linda taught us how to serve. She served you. She served the community. She served the church. And in all that serving, she was serving God. I just learned about the meals program at First Presbyterian called “Third MEAL.” Linda heard about the idea and ran with it. Every third Monday, the church feeds people in the community who need a meal, or someone who just needs to eat with someone, someone who needs companionship. By the way, MEAL stands for “Monday of Eating and Laughing.” Sounds like Linda, doesn’t it? To live God’s song, to be his music.
We have been given a great gift in knowing Linda. She moved us and touched us. She loved God by loving people. She served God by serving people. Linda has given us an example of how to live life to its fullest.
Distant songs yet unknown;
call our hearts as his alone;
Draw us ever toward his throne.
We are called to live his song.
I live near Tucson, AZ. The other day I was sitting on my porch looking at the mountains thinking of Linda. And I said out loud, “What is it like, Linda? What is it like to be in God’s presence?” Draw us ever toward the throne.
As we walk out these doors today, even as we grieve, we are given the hope of Christianity – there is more after this life. The Resurrection proves it. That Linda is with her Creator. Her life has been completed because death marks the completion of something that was started so long ago at her birth. So, we teach eternal life. Death is not the end, it is a being of a new life for Linda. And thus, the hope. The hope of seeing her again.
Linda has been called home. She has heard the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” We are here to carry on the work.
To live his song, to be his music;
to know a harmony with Christ that sings and soars;
to live his song, even when sorrowing;
To live his peace, his joy, his love,
We are called to live his song.
Linda has showed us how.
Thank you, Gracious God, thank you for Linda’s life that teaches us how to live. Amen.
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