Kind and Gentle

Eunice Humbert was kind and gentle, and she died today. She was 92, in a nursing home and pretty much out of it for well over a year. So her passing is a blessing, as she is now with her God and with the love of her life, Jack. But all day I've been thinking of her and the years I had with her. She was my first mother-in-law, and I loved her dearly. I was 19 when I met her, and she was truly my second mother. I grew up with her. I think back on all the times I did stupid stuff as a young wife, and then a new mom, and she never, ever criticized, ever. Because that was Eunice. Kind and gentle. I remember I always wanted to be like her; I always hoped that some day when we had kids, I would be a mom like her. But I wasn't. Because Eunice was quiet and calm, and that's not in my genes. My family is loud, and opinionated, and laughs loud and yells loud. So I could never hold a candle to sweet, calm, gentle Eunice. But even though I couldn't BE like her, I learned so much from her. I used to relish our conversations over doing the dishes. She was just so easy to talk to, and I felt like I could confide in her about anything. She just had a way of making you feel better. Going to see Eunice was like going to a spa -- her home just had a calm aura about it. If you were stressed walking in, by the time you left you felt like everything would be okay. I used to love just sitting in her calm surroundings. She adored her husband, and loved her kids and grandkids. I think back and remember when she'd get mad at my then husband over stupid stuff he did, all she'd say was "Oh, Mike!", and that was it. She'd be giggling again in a matter of minutes, because she just couldn't stay mad, at anyone. She found good in everyone, and she never, ever spoke badly of anyone. She was a devout Christian and watched PTL and Oral Roberts (the Joel Osteen of the 70s); we think she probably built Oral Roberts University with all the money she sent him. I was so lucky that even after the divorce, Eunice was my support. She never abandoned me, and I knew she loved me as much as I loved her. And she loved her son fiercely, and she loved his new wife. And it was all okay because she had plenty of love to go around. And all of us over all these years were truly blessed that we all got to be in her world. I will never, ever forget her and the kind of person she was and the kind of life she led. Kind and gentle.