My grandmom, Margaret Bodine, passed away from a three week battle with Covid yesterday.

My Grandmom was one of my favorite people in the world.

Her home was always filled with so much love, good food, service and compassion.

Her farm in Colorado City was an anchor in my life from the time I was a child. We moved a lot while growing up and being able to come back to her farm was a place of stability for me. I learned how to use a band saw, make pinatas, sew my own Easter dresses, make cookies, paint murals, dig up cactus, pick okra and use my imagination at her house.

Grandmom created a culture for her family of togetherness, faith, tradition, hospitality and service. I always wanted to make time to go back and visit after I was married. Everything about the place was serene, familiar and full of good memories.

Her and my grandfather, Truman, used their lives to celebrate the gospel of Jesus, mission work and loving on their family. We went to church every opportunity there was when we visited. First Baptist Church in Colorado City was one of my old stomping grounds and she would have me sing in the service as often as I could. She loved music, singing and playing the piano.

What does it mean to leave a legacy for your family? I’ve been thinking about this for the last few weeks that Grandmom was in the hospital. When we live a life of purpose, service and focused mission then we leave a sure foundation for our children to grow their own lives on. They can stand on our shoulders because of what we fought for and built in our own lives.

My Grandmom exemplified this.

She did not live her life randomly, but out of purpose. In every hardship and loss she clung to the Bible and prayer. Even in the assisted living facility her aim was to share Christ with the other residents and to make known the gospel and hope of Jesus Christ until her last day on earth.

I am who I am today in big part to who my Grandmom chose to be for her family and my mom. I am deeply saddened that Covid took her life, but thankful for the wisdom, the creativity, the devotion to her family, the generational recipes and stories that she passed down to me.

I am so grateful for the time that I was able to spend and the window visits that were allowed these last few months.

Death is always sobering. It draws us back into clarity about how short our time is on earth and what the meaning of life is.

Who will you choose to be this year? Your legacy is being built by your actions and intentions day by day and matters incredibly to the children who come after you. I pray that you will build a legacy as powerfully influential as my Grandmom did. She has changed so many lives in her 91 years.

Love you Grandmom.