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Oct 8, 1946_Our Beloved Sister...Betty_Oct 14,1990
"Sister"
She liked yellow roses and sunshine....
Pink Carnations and faded blue jeans
Carousel Horses and funny faced clowns
And anything that could be redeemed.........
She loved to take that old furniture
Scarred from the years it'd been through
And patiently work, until sometimes it hurt
And lovingly make it like new..........
She married a family so shattered
By the death of A mother too soon
But she had her gift for 'restoring'...
And with her love she mended their wounds.
She loved God, her husband, her family,
She loved life and each day was a pleasure
The car accident that took her from us.......
Gave Heaven This Earth's Greatest Treasure.
Rinda Nelson ©1999
Betty (left) and I....Just being together was fun.
"Little Sister, I miss you
so much"
"Little Sister, I need
someone to talk to...
Someone who isn't afraid
To speak right up to the 'old one'
Who often's too set in her ways.
I miss the wisdom you offered,
Your support in my every endeavor...
The way that you seemed to look up to me
Not knowing it was you that was clever.
Little Sister, I need someone to talk to...
And I'm angry that you've gone away
I'm angry at that careless driver,
and at God for not letting you stay.
"I must accept what I can not change"
Sis, I know that's what you would tell me
But this is too much, I need your comforting touch
And I know that it never can be.
Little Sister, I need YOU to talk to............."
Rinda Nelson ©1999
My last conversation with Betty was October 8, 1990. We lived 300 miles from each other, and didn't get to see each other as often as we once did. It was her 44th birthday, and I called to wish her a happy one.
After the initial "Happy Birthday's", the usual laughter and teasing that was a part of any contact we had, she asked me about my daughter. She knew my daughter was in a relationship that I was having problems dealing with. It was a mixed union, my daughter being Caucasian, her fiancée an African American. Betty and I had several conversation concerning this, with me insisting I was NOT prejudiced, that I objected for other valid reasons. (Sometimes it hard to face the reality that we are not the person we always thought we were, isn't it?)
"Sis", I said, "she's pregnant, and I don't know what to do".
"Do?" she answered. "Why, there's nothing for you to do...except love that baby."
She reminded me how much I love my daughter, and that the child she was expecting was My grandchild. She said if other family members, friends or anyone else couldn't deal with it to remember that was their problem, not to make it mine. We said our "I love you's", and I hung up the phone knowing that she was right, and that everything would work itself out.
One week later the call came from my mother, telling me I needed to get there immediately. Betty had been in a bad car accident. Five hours later I was at the hospital......
I never heard her sweet voice again.
Sis, If Angels can look down upon us mortals, then I want you to know.....Yes, there were some difficulties to deal with, and just as you knew we would, we dealt with them. Like you, my grand-daughters are beautiful, inside and out. My daughter has matured into a lovely person and a wonderful mother. You would be so proud of them.
Thank you for your never-ending love, wisdom, and support. I love you, and I'll catch ya' later.
The following poem was written by Betty, I believe in 1980.
It speaks of the person she was far better than any words I can say about her. I don't think she would mind if I share it with you.
On My Knees
My God and I ....We had a talk
And on my knees we took a walk
into my past...He filled my thoughts.
While we were there He showed to me
The things I wished most not to see
Things like how I failed my son,
a little babe of only one.
And how it hurt my family
To see this new and wilder me.
But mom turned not away....
Instead on her knees she prayed...and prayed.
She stood on her faith, and did believe
In Christ...The Cross...and Calvary.
No, mom turned not away
And through her faith I was saved.
But in my righteousness I found
faults in those I was around,
Until God made me look within,
And showed me this too was a sin.
Now here's the words God spoke to me...
"These things you see and condemn
You judge and call it a vile sin,
Yet look deep within your soul
Was it then...or now...so pure and whole?
You pride your self on things you do
Your arrogant... assertive, too.
You ask for love, but love not others
In life you fail as wife, daughter, sister, mother
Until you can love as Christ loves thee
Your no good to them, much less to Me.
I must have a cup that overflows....
With great concern for saving souls.
If you will put my ministry
first in your life, a change you'll see.
Judge not others, lest I judge thee.
Strive for humility!!"
Written by Betty Gillum ©1980-2004
"Then the king will say, "Come you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundations of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me." (Matthew 25:34-36) "I assure you, when you did these things to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me." (Matthew 25:40)
Betty lived her life in accordance with the above scripture. I believe that on October 14, 1990 , Our Lord said to her "Well done, my good and faithful servant."....and gave Betty her inheritance.
Sis, you don't need to walk on your knees with God now.
Angels can Fly !
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"If
Tomorrow Never Comes"
Recorded by Garth Brooks