Style and Grace

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“She wasn’t doing anything I could see, except standing there leaning on the balcony railing, holding the universe together.” – J.D. Salinger

When I was 17-years-old and a senior in high school, I lived for a year with my best friend, Katie’s family. My dad had taken a job at a church across the state and they gave me the option to stay and finish high school.

Which all hinged on a family being willing to let another teenager live with them. Fortunately, Katie’s parents, Jim and Connie were willing to take me in.

I was 17 and typically self-absorbed. I didn’t think much about it at the time, but it was my first glimpse into how other families operated. Looking back now, I giggle at all the misconceptions that my teenage brain put together.

For instance, Jim and Connie were originally from North Carolina. So, I assumed that was the source of Connie’s grace and style.

She never got flustered by the trials and tribulations of life. She was poised and prepared for just about anything.

She graciously had little gifts for Katie and me for every holiday. Like for Valentine’s Day, she gave me a wire basket filled with goodies and two pairs of socks, red and white.

The holiday she exceled at was April Fools Day. Connie was wickedly good at April Fools tricks. She’d rubber band the kitchen sink sprayer so you’d get soaked. She’d split apart Oreos and insert some plastic wrap. If you don’t think of April Fools as a holiday, it’s because you never lived with Connie.

Connie was such a good listener and was genuinely interested in what others had to say.

She never said a bad word about anyone, even the next door neighbors that could be somewhat challenging.

She taught me, to the degree I was teachable, about being a lady. Our dates had to come to the door to talk to the parents. We had to wait in our rooms for at least a minute before bursting out and running off.

She made the best chicken, cream potatoes and cole slaw.

Now that I’ve got a lot more life under the belt, I understand that none of the above, with the exception of the cooking, came from North Carolina. They came from pure love. A strong, selfless, caring, gracious woman who loved family and others, and exceled at living life.

All the way until she died this past weekend. But the legacy of her grace and love continues in the beautiful and incredible family she created with her presence. RIP, dear Connie. You knew how to do life well and will be missed.

(featured photo from Pexels)

(quote from Victoria Ponders – Holding the Universe Together)

61 thoughts on “Style and Grace”

  1. I’m so sorry to hear of Connie’s passing. Condolences to Katie and her family and hugs to you, Wynne, for writing a beautiful tribute to Connie. ❤️❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I’m sorry for your loss, Wynne. What a gift your parents gave you by letting you experience life with Connie, and what a gift Connie gave you by opening her home to you and showing you how she approached life.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. I’m sorry for your loss. You wrote wonderfully kind words about how the “legacy of her grace and love continues…” A gift for her family — and others, like you, who have fond memories of her.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. I continue to be grateful for the Connies that come into our lives, that shape us, to make us the people we are. I’m humbled to remember I’m not a ‘self-made man’. It’s my Connies that have made me. We are privileged people.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. What a life experience to live with another family. It also says a lot about the parents to let another one in their home for an entire year.

    Connie sounded wonderful. May she rest in peace. 🙏💕

    Liked by 1 person

  23. At least in her passing you were able to craft a lovely, moving tribute. RIP Connie.

    We moved across country the summer before my senior year of high school. I begged my parents to let me stay with my friend Ted and finish 12th grade in the same high school I’d attended the past three years, but they were adamantly opposed. I often wonder how my life would have turned out if they had been agreeable to the idea.

    I s’pose Ted’s family might have had something to say about the whole thing, too…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Funny how this post and the HoTM post you just did intersect. Wouldn’t that be interesting to know how it turned out other way. Would you not be addicted to change then?

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  28. I’m so sorry Wynne, this must be the woman who was your second Mom, what a beautiful tribute you have written here. And now you have inspired us all to be a little more fun, gracious, and giving. Hugs, C

    Liked by 1 person

  29. What a beautiful post as a tribute to her. I hate those kinds of April Fool jokes – but I guess I could live with them from such a lovely person. Sorry for your loss.

    Liked by 1 person

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