First of all, please let me apologize for my absence. This past week, Husband & I ended up in Ohio after the very unexpected death of my very favorite aunt and 2nd mother, Vangie Hughes. We spent the days with family and friends overwhelmed by the love and support that came from everyone we talked to.
She was truly one-of-a-kind. We heard story after story from people who credited her with being the reason they had a relationship with Jesus, praised her love & acceptance of each person she met, and talked about how she was ‘their very best friend.’ She was the embodiment of mercy, and the hundreds (yes, hundreds) of people that showed up to celebrate her life with us on a very snowy Friday afternoon testified to that.
All that to say, today I wanted to share one of my favorite snapshots of Aunt Vangie taken just before her senior prom. Is that dress not killer? (Sidenote: why don’t we wear gloves anymore?)
Aunt Vangie & Mom on their way to prom, 1969
I was trying to think of how I could share Aunt Vangie’s spirit here on the blog before getting back into my regular weekly groove when several friends sent me a message to read her “About Me.” You know that part on Facebook that most of us either never fill out or post something utterly ridiculous? Well, Aunt Vangie’s “About Me” was pretty fantastic because it really is exactly who she was. So here goes…
I am happily married to Gary Dean Hughes, my best friend and a wonderful pastor!
He has encouraged me to do more than I ever thought I could do and has been my cheerleader!!! What a wonderful support he has been for me. It’s a joy to serve in ministry at his side for the Lord Jesus Christ! I want my life to be remembered as a prayer warrior and dedicated woman of God. I love God with all my heart and I’m totally surrendered to the Holy Spirit and His guidance! It’s a joy to think about all that God has yet planned for Gary and me.
And then she proceeds to list all of her family & favorite people… for 3 more paragraphs.
I know this post could be a bit of a downer, but I hope you take as an encouragement to reflect, as I have this week, about what you are known for, how you treat people, and, most importantly, how you love people. Thanks for indulging me. xo* ~HB
Love you Hannah!
And I make that comment about the gloves every time we watch Downton Abbey. 🙂
Awesome blog today Hannah! It was amazing wasn’t it? All the people, all the love!
@ Lisa…I love Downton Abbey, too! Just started watching it on Netflix!
Today my MIL said it well: now we’re all challenged to go out and be a Vangie for Jesus.
Amen. Love you.
Thank you, Your words are beautiful and touched me. I do strive to be as loving as her. So watch out, next time I see you, your getting a hug.
Hannah Beth, I just read your beautiful words tonight. Thank you. My heart is still broken, but having you here with me during all this with Aunt Vangie meant the world to me. I’m challenged, too, by her words. And yours.
I can never tell you enough how much I love you, my precious daughter!