In a letter written to me by my friend Jeanie, in 1999, are these words....
"Miss you coming to tea- "
In the one year we lived in Bullhead City Arizona, Jeanie became one of my dearest friends.
She was 79 years old then, and died a few years after we moved to Pleasant Grove.
Many happy moments were spent sitting at her kitchen table in her small yet clean trailer, drinking herbal tea. We both loved this simple treat, often nibbling a cookie or two as we discussed the trials and joys of our lives. She encouraged me, a younger mother with different trials than hers. I can still see her face as she smiled with her hand reaching across the table to pat mine...thus gifting me a portion of her spirit.
I learned great details of her dear family, her childhood and earlier life, her aches and pains, and enormous blessings. Jeanie's dog, Georgie Girl, was huge...but someone forgot to tell her. Much to Jeanie's delight she thought she was a lap dog.
Jeanie helped everyone she could, driving to doctor appointments, visiting the sick and lonely, taking food to anyone she thought of...and personally greeted each person walking into Relief Society every Sunday.
Dear Jeanie created (old style) cut and paste handouts each week to accompany the lesson. This would take hours of cutting out the flowers or birds and such of old greeting cards and stationary then pasting them to a folded half sheet of paper. She then added a hand written message adding a scripture in direct relationship to the lesson for 35-40 sisters each week.
She went to Young Women's and Primary to be sure each sister got her message.... hand made with great love and dedication to her calling. Her calling was Relief Society Greeter, and so it was she greeted> and then greeted some more, abundantly.
After church, Jeanie went to the sisters homes who were not able to attend that day and delivered their message of hope and peace.
Simple acts of kindness, simple talks over herbal tea, simple visits and humble serving have brought me to a better understanding of true Charity.
Jeanie was a beacon of God's light, a shinning example of the extra mile and the purpose of being a true disciple of Christ. She gave more than was asked, blessed more than was expected and more importantly she loved without judgment.
I watched and listened as she slowly hobbled along the path of righteousness. Her body weak and joints screaming, she sang the song of redeeming Love.
Jeanie and Georgie Girl are among my sweetest memories deep in the bottom of my LeafyTeaPot.
