My Mom – A Woman of Valor: Guest Post at RHE

May 4, 2019 By
I am undone at the news of Rachel Held Evan’s death in the early hours of the morning today. Rachel was one of the bravest, smartest, kindest women I’ve ever ‘met’ on the internet — gracious, perceptive, open, gentle-yet-firm, good to the core. Her honest questions and brilliant answers have helped more lost people to find their way back to Jesus than almost anyone I could name. She leave a remarkable and supportive husband and two very small children — and more than any death in recent memory, this one leaves me filled with questions. In 2012, when blogging was at its peak, she ran a long series on her blog called “Women of Valor.”  A long and varied list of contributors was invited to contribute a piece and I was one of those blessed people. So, in her honor, I am re-posting this from December, 2012. You can follow the links over to Rachel’s remarkable space and read a tribute to my mom — one of two I submitted and the one she much preferred! Rachel was a mensch and a true, true, TRUE Woman of Valor. Eshet chayil!
My beautiful mom, picture taken by my sister-in-law, Sandy Gold, on Thanksgiving this year.
 

It is my honor to be posting in Rachel Held Evans’ series on Women of Valor today. Last month, I told you I would give you a link to this essay when it came up today, and I will do that in just a moment. 

I submitted two essays to Rachel about mom – one outlined her wonderful life with a list of facts and tidbits. The second, which you will find if you click on this sentence came pouring out of me after I had submitted the first one. This is the one I believe the Holy Spirit wrote in me and it tells more than facts, it tells truth in so much love. I love my mom more than I can even begin to put into words – she has been an anchor in my life for all of these nearly 68 years. So watching her fade into this fog has been agonizing on many, many levels. But she is THERE still and some part of her always will be. And all of who she is, her story, her present, her future — all of it is held safely and lovingly by the Shepherd she has followed since she was a teenager. Thanks be to God.

I invite you to read more at Rachel’s place today. Thanks so much.

P.S. I was wrong! This is not the last essay in the series. It will continue until year’s end. Such a wonderful list of valorous women!!

Filed Under: Aging, Beauty, God's gifts, Guest Post, memoir, The Journey with Mom, women

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Comments

  1. Karen says
    December 9, 2012 at 12:39 am

    Oh….I loved this! I have read many of your comments on other blogs and know I would SO enjoy having a cup of coffee with you! I wanted to contact you privately to ask you about being a certified spiritual director, but could not find an email.

  2. pastordt says
    December 9, 2012 at 1:10 am

    Thanks for coming out to comment, Karen. Email is dtrautwein at gmail do com.

  3. Megan Willome says
    December 9, 2012 at 2:17 am

    Really powerful, Diana. Especially thinking about the effect of church teaching.

  4. pastordt says
    December 9, 2012 at 2:27 am

    Yes, indeed. And the culture at that time, too. Paradoxically – in the Catholic connections I’ve made (despite the heavily male hierarchy of the church) there is much less of this baggage. Marriage is mutual, women are gifted and equal. Hard to see how that happens in the polity/structure, but it does.

  5. Donna says
    December 9, 2012 at 2:30 am

    This is beautiful and powerful. There’s something about a child (of any age!) honouring their parents that is very moving. You love her well 🙂

  6. pastordt says
    December 9, 2012 at 2:31 am

    Thank you, Donna. I try.

  7. Anne says
    December 11, 2012 at 7:15 am

    Once again, your words have touched and stirred my soul. Thank you.

  8. pastordt says
    December 11, 2012 at 7:25 am

    Thank you, Ann. This one was both one of the easiest ones I’ve ever written – because I really didn’t write it – it just came out of me! – and also one of the hardest. I appreciate your words.

  9. Martha J Orlando says
    May 5, 2019 at 1:25 pm

    What an amazing and powerful tribute to your late mother, Diana. It has to be, hands-down, one of the most beautiful things you’ve ever posted here.
    And I’m so sorry to hear about Rachel’s passing, and grieve for the family and friends she’s left behind. Praying for comfort and peace.

  10. Elaine Reed says
    May 6, 2019 at 9:22 pm

    With Mother’s Day coming up, what a wonderful time to treasure our mothers and all that they have done for us and for others. You have remembered well.