Mothers-in-law are a tricky thing. They come as part of the package, so to speak, and you never can tell exactly what you'll get when it's all said and done. I was blessed!
Over my 30 year marriage Jinny has become a mentor, teacher, spiritual advisor, encourager, and friend. She sings beautifully, preaches a deep and meaningful sermon (just to us), can keep up with Martha Stewart easily in the decorating department, is an over the top hostess, has been a wedding planner, and cooks like nobody's business.
Jinny's most recent uncovered talent is writing. About five years ago she wrote and self published a "Little House on the Prairie" type book called "My Heart Remembers", based on her childhood in Arkansas. And she blessed her family once again this Thanksgiving by writing a very sweet poem, expressing her love and tenderness for her grandchildren and her Savior, Jesus. So this Thanksgiving I'll be most thankful for my mom-in-law and honor her by sharing part of who she is:
A Red Scarf Christmas
Our Thanksgiving meal is over and oh, how wonderful it turned
out to be. Even though some dishes had to be amended
for some of our little ones, you see. Some don't like onions,
nuts, and even dressing; something wonderful to me. The
Thanksgiving dishes rattle as women scurry about and little
feet dance sweetly for the candy that melts in their mouth.
I heard the cry from a newborn baby doll held tightly in
Adelaide's arms. She pats her tummy, and then gives her a
kiss. She waits for applause, and then smiles at her success.
Cash runs to find his daddy, Chris, and climbs up on his knee.
And I hear him say sweetly, "Daddy, can I have just one more
piece of candy, please:" I smile as Chris holds him close and
thank God for the fine man our first grandson has grown to be.
Hannah looks at her baby sister with love in her eyes and her
heart. As I look at her it's easy to see what a wonderful
mother she will be. She favors her mother. That's easy to
see. This must please Elyse greatly for she is beautiful to me.
Then there is Mimi & Lily. What a wonderful, happy gift. They're
as sweet as can be. We all love them dearly with their shiny
black hair, big brown eyes, and the most beautiful skin you
will ever see. Truly two perfect China dolls.
I look at our Bob Number Three, so handsome and tall and
wonderful to me. He's Captain of The Fly Boys. As he leads
the other planes far from me I wait and pray.
Then there is our beautiful Kaylee, our first granddaughter to
be. We love her dearly and a good example for the rest is she.
She has a new house and it will be blessed as she turns it into
a home.
I feel happy as I see all the family and friends sitting about.
They are good people and all have sweet stories they could
tell. Yes, I am thankful for the family and friends we care so
much about.
There is a Christmas tree in the corner. It is smiling brightly
for you and me. And on that tree in the corner is a bright
red scarf we can see. A reminder for those who love Him
what Christmas really means.
So many little stories are stored up in my heart, but nothing
will compare with the sweetest love story ever written. It was
written in red on a tree. Oh, what a blessing Jesus is to me.
I love to tell the story of how He came to set us free.
by Jinny Jacobs
