Naomi Bryant Duban
1915 - 2010
This blog post is nothing more than a tribute to one of the most beautiful, God fearing, loving women I was blessed to know. For the past twenty seven years she was the matriarch of our family as I know it. And in an instant, that all changed.
I have been trying to gather my thoughts over the past few days, but how can you put into words a woman whose life was so intricately entwined with your own? I try to remember the funny things...the "Grannyisms" if you will. Those little sayings that fill all of the memories I have. And remember the smiles and laughter. Not the sadness that drifts in and out these days. Sometimes it will just hit me out of nowhere. And I know its selfish to want more time or to think about the moments I missed out on...but right now I just can't help it. Anyway...enough about me. One day at a time is the best I can do for now.
The title of this blog is an old Catholic hymn that I remember singing at Granny's during the rosary she used to have at her house. At the time it was such a somber, mellow song. But now its what I hear when I think about her. And it brought me to tears when it was played at her service. Though it also makes me chuckle because we used to dread going down to say the rosary with Granny and her friends. It always seemed to last forever too...and in reality its only around 20 minutes. But it was her passion and her calling. And no matter how embarrassing it was for her to pass out rosaries from the plastic bag in her purse, its something I respect and love her for even more as I think about it.
She was a light in a world full of darkness, a breath of fresh air when you were struggling to breathe, and a symbol of love and faith to everyone who was lucky enough to know her. I don't know if there are words to adequately describe how much we will all miss her...but I know that she is rejoicing in Heaven and we will someday be together again.
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end." Isaiah 60:1;19-20
