The reason I went back to Oklahoma last week was to attend the funeral of a truly amazing woman (Twyla Gray) and comfort a loving ,beautiful friend(Sarah Gray). It is hard to sum a person up in an hour long funeral or even in a blog. This experience made me think about the things that I will remember about Twyla and even the things that people might use to sum me up.
As I was walking through the Gray's kitchen I found a quote the Twyla had framed and hung up…
"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
As I read this a smile appeared on my face because this was a great way to sum up Twyla. My senior year of college the Gray's drove me to around several states looking at colleges that Sarah and I hoped to attend. (we didn't attend any of them haha) I remember that being a trip of abundant laughter and love. Twyla loved to learn new things and was a very hard worker. She was a district judge in Oklahoma and received much opposition and praise in this position. I remember during campaigns we would stay up late at night putting up signs all around the city only to find the next day someone had taken many of them down. She always to seemed to have a good spirit about her, even when she got angry most of the time it was righteous anger. She was a skilled seamstress. Somehow when I came over explaining some new crazy activity I was doing Twyla would nod and go along with it. Charley and her created a beautiful, caring, loving daughter that I have the privilege of calling my best friend. Sarah and I cleaned out her mom's office when I was back in the states and I found countless letters from people that had been in her courtroom for different reasons. All of them were thanking her for changing their and/or someone elses life that they loved. She made hard decisions on a daily basis but I believe that each decision was also a conversation that she had with Jesus. While cleaning up the house we found hundreds of note cards with bible verses and prayers on them. I will never understand why it was her time to go, but I know that she continues to impact my life as she enters my thoughts.
Twyla and Sarah at her college graduation
"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and teaching of kindness is on her tongue"
Psalms 31:26
