'Rock of Ages'
The epitome of love29 total reviews
Comment from Ronni
Quite a profound and heart searing story about your dear Grandmother Emma and her friend
Ettie May Brown dear Jimi! What an exceptional, wise, loving and compassioned person
Emma was, and little wonder 'Rock Of Ages' was her favorite hymn, and why she sang it
so often, and also had a richly gifted voice to sing it at services and special events.
She truly exemplified the true meaning of spiritual grace and acceptance of all, whatever
creed or race, in her firm belief that to think oneself better than anyone else, was to
assert that God was flawed in creation of mankind, creating all equally, and to be
treated and respected as such. That also is most apparent in her friendship with
Ettie May, and her loving and caring for her all the years they had together as
neighbors and friends. Her empathy and compassion, pride and dignity was most
preciously conveyed in recapturing the funeral scene for Ettie Mae, and your dear Emma
singing that amazingly powerful hymn, with the token lilacs and hat placed on her coffin.
So vividly captivating were your sentiments and reflections shared throughout, and
especially in this scene, tears just rolled as if I had been there...
Upon the sad loss and passing of your precious Emma, that you repeated and in
a similar way recreated the love and compassion your Emma did at Ettie's services,
you took on the mantle and mantra of your precious Emma and also sang that
favorite hymn for her and to her, and most poignantly, the same good man who
assisted Emma's wavering voice, was there to steady and enjoin in his singing
with you too. This was not just coincidence. This was legacy and destiny ever
so lovingly and incomparably honored and cherished!
Thanks for sharing this lovely and tender reflection, you come from a most
precious heritage and legacy! And you honor it ever beautifully!
Love and blessings, Ronni
reply by the author on 07-Dec-2014
  |
Quite a profound and heart searing story about your dear Grandmother Emma and her friend
Ettie May Brown dear Jimi! What an exceptional, wise, loving and compassioned person
Emma was, and little wonder 'Rock Of Ages' was her favorite hymn, and why she sang it
so often, and also had a richly gifted voice to sing it at services and special events.
She truly exemplified the true meaning of spiritual grace and acceptance of all, whatever
creed or race, in her firm belief that to think oneself better than anyone else, was to
assert that God was flawed in creation of mankind, creating all equally, and to be
treated and respected as such. That also is most apparent in her friendship with
Ettie May, and her loving and caring for her all the years they had together as
neighbors and friends. Her empathy and compassion, pride and dignity was most
preciously conveyed in recapturing the funeral scene for Ettie Mae, and your dear Emma
singing that amazingly powerful hymn, with the token lilacs and hat placed on her coffin.
So vividly captivating were your sentiments and reflections shared throughout, and
especially in this scene, tears just rolled as if I had been there...
Upon the sad loss and passing of your precious Emma, that you repeated and in
a similar way recreated the love and compassion your Emma did at Ettie's services,
you took on the mantle and mantra of your precious Emma and also sang that
favorite hymn for her and to her, and most poignantly, the same good man who
assisted Emma's wavering voice, was there to steady and enjoin in his singing
with you too. This was not just coincidence. This was legacy and destiny ever
so lovingly and incomparably honored and cherished!
Thanks for sharing this lovely and tender reflection, you come from a most
precious heritage and legacy! And you honor it ever beautifully!
Love and blessings, Ronni
Comment Written 06-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 07-Dec-2014
-
Dear friend, your reviews astound me, leave me feeling so much gratitude. For I know without a doubt you have read me and have grasped my intention. I am humbled. Your eloquence cannot be matched.
Emma was my rock absolutely. She was the stability in my unkind childhood and if it had not been for her , I would never have garnered the wisdom and had been rescued by the grip of grace.
Thank you immensely dear friend for reading and for the stars.
Comment from Aussie
Firstly, can you break your paragraphs up? Some are way too long and would read better at - say 7 lines. Apart from that, I was really touched by your story and it gave me insight into your growing up and the hymn Rock of Ages. Our elders set our feet upon the path of god, the rest is up to us. Best wishes for the contest. Love. K.
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2014
 |
Firstly, can you break your paragraphs up? Some are way too long and would read better at - say 7 lines. Apart from that, I was really touched by your story and it gave me insight into your growing up and the hymn Rock of Ages. Our elders set our feet upon the path of god, the rest is up to us. Best wishes for the contest. Love. K.
Comment Written 05-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2014
-
Hello sweet Kace. How are you dear friend. Yes, I must learn to break up sentences. I am so long winded. Lol.. Best to you my sweet Aussie. Thank you.
-
Happy New Year my dear friend. Love, Kace XX
Comment from Joe_P
This is certainly an inspiring story.
Notes:
1. "Emma would arise every morning, traipse through the back yard..." Change "would arise" to "arose". See the definition of "traipse" (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/traipse?s=t) and decide if you still want to use this word.
2. "...so obscured from civilization..." The word "so" is not needed.
Joe_P
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2014
|
This is certainly an inspiring story.
Notes:
1. "Emma would arise every morning, traipse through the back yard..." Change "would arise" to "arose". See the definition of "traipse" (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/traipse?s=t) and decide if you still want to use this word.
2. "...so obscured from civilization..." The word "so" is not needed.
Joe_P
Comment Written 04-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2014
-
Joe P. Once again a big thank you. An old story. Will look at the word. Your review is appreciated very much. Again thank you JLS.
Comment from reconciled
hello Sunflower...-smile-.....rock of ages cleft for me...I remember the first time out of two in my life....I saw my father cry.....it scared the crap out of me. Some castles you never dream could be sacked. You write this for us to live.....exceptional. love you Michael
reply by the author on 07-Dec-2014
|
hello Sunflower...-smile-.....rock of ages cleft for me...I remember the first time out of two in my life....I saw my father cry.....it scared the crap out of me. Some castles you never dream could be sacked. You write this for us to live.....exceptional. love you Michael
Comment Written 04-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 07-Dec-2014
-
I know you, you are not from here. Emma was not only my grandmother but my mentor and a woman who had a great influence on my life. She was the shelter from a tumultuous childhood and she was the hands in which God provided for me to fall into the grip of grace, His underserving grace. She, too, was not from here, for her heart and wisdom was unlike anyone I had ever known. Truth be known, I always had the sense she was a real angel before I even knew about angels. I cannot explain it. After my dear sweet Emma passed, I always had dreams of her and still do. The dream is as real to me as if I was sitting across from you. We are sitting at her kitchen table and I can touch and see and smell, not only her famous fried chicken and her fresh canned peaches, but her lavender scent mingled with her morning glories which bloomed on her porch every morning. In the dream she was sitting at the kitchen table across from me and I knew this was a dream. I told her so. I would say "Grandma, you are not really here, I am dreaming." She would then say, "And my sweet baby, what makes you think dreams are not real?" And then I would say, "Because when I wake up, you will not be here, neither will I." She would then say "Just because you cannot see me does not mean I am not touching you. You only see me when you are open to possibilities and consciousness does not limit reason. I have never left you nor has God left you, my darling child." It was at this moment I would wake up and I knew, knew she had been with me because I could smell her lavender. Now you might think I a bit crazy or perhaps wishful thinking, but there is never a time since she has passed, when I have gone through fear and heartache and heartbreak, that she does not show up in my dreams. And it is always the same conversation. Once when my Steven lay in a comma in the hospital and the prediction for living was grim, a new nurse came in to take care of him. On her tag was the name Emma and she took one look at me.. Introduced herself and said, "I am here to take care of your son and tough I cannot say in an ethical manner he will be okay, I can say in a spiritual manner he will still be with you tomorrow." I was floored, simply because the night before, Emma had appeared in my restless dream to hold my hand and I screamed at her, telling her she was not real, my Emma was dead! I told her to go away. And in a split second she let go of my hand and disappeared. I awoke distraught and in fear that I was going to lose my son. The very next day, this nurse discovered a fungus on his breathing tube and called his doctor in. This was what was causing his suffocation and decline and he immediately ordered an antifungal. Within 24 hours he was in the clear and on the road to recovery. Amazing right? Okay, enough said. So did she send you too? I think she did. I long for her everyday and she has been dead almost 30 years. You will never ever know she is in my heart everyday as you are.
Love you
Jimi
Comment from Misrael
That song is very familiar to me and I will always like it. What your grandmother did is to be applauded and admired. When people judge others because of their skin color it is wrong and very un Christian. It does not matter what skin color we have we are all made in Gods image. Great read, great story and keep up the good work.
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2014
|
That song is very familiar to me and I will always like it. What your grandmother did is to be applauded and admired. When people judge others because of their skin color it is wrong and very un Christian. It does not matter what skin color we have we are all made in Gods image. Great read, great story and keep up the good work.
Comment Written 04-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2014
-
Misrael, thank you ever so much for stopping by to read and review my work. I am humbled. Again thank you.. jls
Comment from daeneam
Surely, there's a person or two, who had touched our lives and who became so dear to us. I believe they are looking from heavens and watch over us. Good luck in the story of the month contest and God bless you! c', mae
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2014
|
Surely, there's a person or two, who had touched our lives and who became so dear to us. I believe they are looking from heavens and watch over us. Good luck in the story of the month contest and God bless you! c', mae
Comment Written 04-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 30-Dec-2014
-
daeneam, how humble am I that you have stopped by to read and review my work. I apologize for the delay. Again thank you.. JLS
Comment from God's Writer
Oh my dear one. Such a praise story. Thank you. My mother's name was Emma and Rock of ages one of her favorite hymns. She used to sing it while doing things around the house. I am sorry. It is hard to type and cry at he same time. For you have brought back many memories of her to me. I lost my wife of 21 years and then 3 months later lost my mother and brother. My mother's sermon was the hardest or the three for me to preach. The elders asked me if I wanted one of them to do it. I said no it was my mother's wish for me to preach her funeral. She just loved my sermons after praying daily on her knees for over 20 years that I would come back to the Lord. It was the highlight of her weekend to hear me preach. This day i walked up as usual with my cue cards in order, cleared my voice to preach. My eyes went to heaven and I preached for nearly 2 hours on the glory of the Resurrection day and the journeys end with God. Afterwards another minister asked if he could have my cue cards. He said that he would love to use this sermon at funerals. I handed him the card and on it was written "God help Me." That was all. What a blessed day when we shall be reunited with our Emma's in the earth to come. Where we will never again be ripped from their grasps. Thank you my sister in love. Love heals all wounds the bible says. Thank you for this really great story. I read the story as promised last night but was crying to hard to write back. Thank you for sharing yourself with me. Thank you my special angel.
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2012
|
Oh my dear one. Such a praise story. Thank you. My mother's name was Emma and Rock of ages one of her favorite hymns. She used to sing it while doing things around the house. I am sorry. It is hard to type and cry at he same time. For you have brought back many memories of her to me. I lost my wife of 21 years and then 3 months later lost my mother and brother. My mother's sermon was the hardest or the three for me to preach. The elders asked me if I wanted one of them to do it. I said no it was my mother's wish for me to preach her funeral. She just loved my sermons after praying daily on her knees for over 20 years that I would come back to the Lord. It was the highlight of her weekend to hear me preach. This day i walked up as usual with my cue cards in order, cleared my voice to preach. My eyes went to heaven and I preached for nearly 2 hours on the glory of the Resurrection day and the journeys end with God. Afterwards another minister asked if he could have my cue cards. He said that he would love to use this sermon at funerals. I handed him the card and on it was written "God help Me." That was all. What a blessed day when we shall be reunited with our Emma's in the earth to come. Where we will never again be ripped from their grasps. Thank you my sister in love. Love heals all wounds the bible says. Thank you for this really great story. I read the story as promised last night but was crying to hard to write back. Thank you for sharing yourself with me. Thank you my special angel.
Comment Written 04-Mar-2012
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2012
-
Happy Poet, thank you ever so much. I am glad this touched you.. jlsavell
-
It was very touching. I think too touching, because that and other issues have thrown me into deep depression. I tried to take my life the other nighjt. I ate a bunch of pain pills and drank a bottle of whiskey. Well it didn't work.
-
I am sorry to hear that Eric. I hate to see a fellow being in so much pain. Are you seeking any kind of help? If you need to talk I can give you the name and number of a doctor.. psychologist that you could talk too.
-
I need a female psyche that can deal with sexual abuse. I was also raped by men so I don't feel at all comfortable talking to them. On top of my father abandoning me. I don't trust them at all, SO I am still stuck dealing with this problem that has changed my whole life and not for the best. I appreciate your concern. It makes me feel better that someone cares about me.
Comment from Trybuck
A heart touching story of love and acceptance as real love has no boundaries set be race or social standing.
It's easy to see why this one was chosen to be in the running for Story of The Month.
Very well done, Buck
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2012
|
A heart touching story of love and acceptance as real love has no boundaries set be race or social standing.
It's easy to see why this one was chosen to be in the running for Story of The Month.
Very well done, Buck
Comment Written 21-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2012
-
Trybuck, I am speechless, thank you so very much for this honor. My grandmother was a very special person.. again thank you for taking the time to read and review. I am humbled.. jlsavell
Comment from Skyangel02
Few stories ever make me cry but this one succeeded in doing so. Your story is very emotional and full of love. Extremely well written. You have done a great honor to your dear grandmother.
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2012
|
Few stories ever make me cry but this one succeeded in doing so. Your story is very emotional and full of love. Extremely well written. You have done a great honor to your dear grandmother.
Comment Written 21-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2012
-
Skyangel102, I am truly humbled. Thank you so very much for this honor. My grandmother was an angel.. again thank you.. jlsavell
Comment from MissMerri
A most touching story, and sweetly told, too. You captured the emotion, the character, the beauty of spirit in your lovely grandmother. I loved seeing these events through the eyes of the very young granddaughter, then the more mature one. It was like being there myself. You did a great job with this.
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2012
|
A most touching story, and sweetly told, too. You captured the emotion, the character, the beauty of spirit in your lovely grandmother. I loved seeing these events through the eyes of the very young granddaughter, then the more mature one. It was like being there myself. You did a great job with this.
Comment Written 20-Feb-2012
reply by the author on 21-Feb-2012
-
MissMerri, thank you very much for such a wonderful review. It was such a pleasent surpirse to see you drop by. I am thrilled. Again thank you ever so much.. jlsavell