Molly Grace Wolgemuth Bornfriend’s Tribute

Our Gaye, was the cornerstone of our family, she was everything regal and elegant. The ultimate Proverbs 31 woman, for many reasons but most being that

“Her children arise and call her blessed.”

When I think of Gaye I think of

Weekends when she’d come visit us in Texas and french braid our hair.

I think of her sewing dresses, mending our pants, and even being so cool as to make us scrunchies

I think of evening walks around her neighborhood the way she wore, gym shoes with a long skirt.

I remember that on our way out we’d stop in her garden, she’d bend over and pick a piece of parsley and eat it, telling me how her dad taught her it was the way to rid of bad breath.

When you walked arm and arm with Gaye, to make sure of her route or secure her steps, she had a firm grip. It’s almost as if she was holding me up, more than I was supporting her. For me, it was always an honor to be by her side, I was proud of her.

I remember staying at her house for long weekends and being so excited for breakfast, no one made oatmeal like Gaye did, it was so smooth it seemed almost blended, and the raisins where always so plump and juicy.

I remember tromping up her stairs, her lush white carpet, to find her napping on the floor in her bedroom, something about napping on a hard surface.

I think of her garden, in the front in back of her house. I think the vegetable plot that Papa would drive us to just a couple miles away.

And how I didn’t even know she could drive until Papa was away for the weekend and she drove us to church. And when pulling out on to the street, of course we saw a golf ball, we stopped, and I ran to pick it up.

To me these are rich and vivid memories, they are moments richer, clearer and sweeter than any photograph could ever capture. It’s the kind of memory that involves all the senses, especially the feeling of the heart. And I know that we each have these with our own Gaye.

When I think of my last day with Gaye, I think of her sweet and precious checks, how soft and kissable they were, her hands still strong in it’s grip, as it held mine. And the way so woke up from a pretty sound slumber, looked at Michael and said, “are you the groom?” We will cherish the things she said that day.

If she heard us now, I know she’d clap her hands “you guys, come on,” and then slap her lap. This is she something she did when we’d praise her, and we did often.

I think the thing I’ll miss most about Gaye is the way she’d hug and at the same time, she’d pat your back like this.

I think the peace I feel now, is that she is reuniting with her Lover, Samuel, and the fact that I know, she is getting the ultimate pat on the back, from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

– Molly Grace Wolgemuth Bornfriend
Granddaughter
Friday, March 26, 2010