This has been on my heart and in my mind for quite a while to introduce you to a lovely friend of mine – Rose. Several years ago the Lord took her home to heaven, and I have missed her ever since.

I first met Rose when I became engaged to my husband. She was a member of the church he was attending. She was one of those people who dedicate their lives to serving others. She was an Italian (came to Canada with her family when she was 15) and, oh my, could she cook! When we would have a church supper she would bring pizza and two kinds of lasagna (and usually a fish salad for my husband and children) as well as one or two desserts. When I had babies the amount of food she sent was enough for two or three meals.

Rose was never able to have babies of her own. She did have three babies waiting in heaven for her from miscarriages early in her marriage. She adopted my babies as her own, particularly my oldest. Nothing was too good for Eva-Joy. Once when a relative was going back to Italy she traced around Eva-Joy’s foot and had a pair of shoes brought back for Eva-Joy. I had no idea she had done this until she gave me the pair of beautiful little girl shoes.

She was constantly knitting or crocheting blankets and clothes for the babies she knew. In fact, when she died her husband rounded up all her yarn, needles and crochet hooks and gave them to me. We found several unfinished projects which made me sad. The things she knit and crocheted for my babies are some of the things I will never get rid of unless it’s to pass it along to my grandchildren.

She always had her camera with her. Before almost any given service my children would be flocked around her begging her to take their picture. She was more than happy to oblige. For my birthday (which is in January) she would compile all of these pictures on a CD, set them to music and give it to me. I looked forward to this gift more than any other, I think. It was amazing to see how much my children grew up through the year.

She would hold whoever my current baby was while I played the piano. She never got to meet my two youngest, and that makes me very sad. I know she would have sympathized with me and my trials with my three-year-old. I have lots of pictures in each of my children’s baby books with Rose holding them.

She was someone I could confide in with no fear of what I said being spread around. She was not a gossiper. I don’t remember her talking negatively about anyone. She was just a sweet person, and I remember lots of laughs.

I’m so thankful for the years I had with Rose. I wish she could see the beautiful people our children are growing into. She would be very happy. She treated them like they were her own.

I hope someday to be remembered as Rose is. As someone who was generous, loving, kind, creative.

Who do you have in your life that inspires and encourages you?