Virginia Crews Brady June 30, 1928- November 8, 2020

Virginia Crews Brady has always been one of those pillars of the foundation of my life. Did I have a everyday relationship with her, no, but I knew that I knew that she loved me, yet required nothing from me. I recently was in her neck of the woods probably for some conference in the area and spent the night with her. She sat in her big lazyboy with her warm slippers and talked to me like we talked everyday. She always had a big grin on her face and she will be remembered in my heart for the way she honored everyone around her. I think the honor was best expressed in her nonjudgemental attitude for wherever in life you happened to be. That acceptance for the journey of life that everyone has to take just encourages forward motion.

In my younger days, we would for many summers go and spend a week or so with her and her family. Her homestead had family that surrounded her, family of uncle Frank's and the most gorgeous views of rolling hills and farmland. The trees had been cleared for farming so you could see for miles on top of the hill where her house sat. The marriage between Aunt Virginia and Uncle Frank built a legacy of love for their family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, extended family and community, and especially their church community. For all the trials that they encountered as a family they fought well and loved well. I always loved going to Aunt Virginia's during those summers because of a view of a life that expressed another facet of what love could look like. The Brady's loved our Lord and walked and lived and expressed His love to those around them.

All of my mother's sisters, Virginia being the oldest had these incredible marriages. Uncle Frank and Aunt Virginia's marriage was clearly built on the foundation of Jesus Christ. They were a beautiful expression of "oneness", as they would be in tune as they expressed ideas, and or pursued one person in the crowded room. I seem to be the object of their pursuit on more than one occasion. Uncle Frank would begin a conversation with you by explaining to you how something worked always expressing that working as a metaphor for life, and then drift off to talk with someone else. I would find Aunt Virginia's eyes and she would just grin or add another piece to the metaphor that would add to the consternation. These people had simple lives but were filled with brilliance. They were always teaching and leading by example.

I remember when my grandparents were still alive, my mother's three sisters would sit at the piano in the family home and all three would play a part of the song they were singing and the energy and playfulness of those moments were captivating. There was no evidence of the "dysfunctionalism" that seems to define my family of origin. Just pure joy and acceptance and love expressed in being family. I am grateful for these rare moments where the Lord allows a glimpse into the fullness of a life lived in Him and how Virginia's life expressed that fullness.    

Virginia and Frank's children, David, Diane, and Donnie, are all perfect expressions of the brilliance and compassion that they passed on. I know they fought well for her in her last years as she was robbed of her beautiful mind, but her grace and eloquence never left her. I love you Aunt Virginia and I thank you for always teaching me what it looks like to live a life well in Jesus Christ!