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Pauline’s Iron

October 18, 2012 By Talya Tate Boerner 15 Comments

“Take anything you want,” my sister-in-law told me. Last year, my in-laws moved into assisted care living. We walked through John’s childhood home taking a few things, but it seemed strange. Although the house was being readied for sale, they still lived around the corner.
I took Pauline’s iron. Heavy and sturdy, it’s one of those they-just-don’t-make-them-like-that-anymore irons.

Always practical and thrifty, she probably used that iron her entire married life, over sixty years. I rarely iron but was happy to take it since we don’t have one in our Fayetteville cottage. This substantial iron makes the whole chore seem more important.

This morning I ironed. My shirt was too wrinkled to ignore. As I ironed, I considered the many times she must have used it through the years, maybe even ironing John’s clothes when he was a kid. Somehow using her iron made me feel a bit better. I felt calmer, a bit closer to her.
This afternoon we buried my mother-in-law. It was a perfect fall day, a chill in the air, the sky cornflower blue, the trees between Fayetteville and Fort Smith brilliant. Fall was her favorite season.
As I sat in the tiny stone chapel, I gazed into the rafters and wondered if she could see all the people who filled the sanctuary, friends and loved ones saddened by her death. 
I wondered if she saw John’s sister do the reading, her voice amazingly steady and unwavering. 
I wondered if she saw her husband in his wheelchair, handsome and brave yet broken and lost without her.
I wondered if she heard Ave Maria fill the air, giving everyone goosebumps.
I wonder if she knows how many lives she touched in 92 years.
I wonder if she knows the void she leaves behind.
Pauline Boerner
09/03/1920 – 10/13/2012

talya

Do not let your heart be troubled… John 14:1

Filed Under: Family, Life Tagged With: Fall, Fayetteville

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Comments

  1. Colene says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:50 pm

    Wonderful tribute to John’s mother!

    Reply
  2. GraceGritsGarden says

    October 18, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    John asked me to post his response as he is blog-response-challenged…Maybe this is why he NEVER response to any of my blog posts??

    As to the questions above, the answer to each is a resounding “she knows”. Mom’s soul has been perfected in the Christ. Her spiritual presence is with and felt by her loved ones, it filled The Little Stone Chapel at Christ the King this morning and comforted all.

    Dad is broken hearted but his spirit is strong and strengthened by Pauline. He will laugh again, he will cry again. He will continue to love the love of his life. At his appointed time, he will again dance with her in Heaven.

    Reply
    • GraceGritsGarden says

      October 18, 2012 at 4:03 pm

      ok so I see I have a typo. That’s what happens John, when you don’t post your own comments… sorry!

      Reply
    • Kelsey Erickson says

      October 25, 2012 at 9:52 am

      Hauntingly beautiful.

      Reply
  3. Paula Larson says

    October 18, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    Touching! I bet she knows…

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    October 18, 2012 at 5:23 pm

    Beautiful . Barbara

    Reply
  5. Jenny says

    October 18, 2012 at 5:48 pm

    I cried. (No surprise there!) But then I went and cried again reading John’s response. I can just picture Gene sitting in the chapel and it breaks my heart. Needless to say, beautifully written (as always) and I can picture every moment. Now I’m crying AGAIN!

    Reply
  6. Robin Loyd says

    October 19, 2012 at 4:22 am

    Such a wonderful peice by both you and John.

    Reply
  7. Kathy says

    October 19, 2012 at 4:48 am

    very touching tribute from each of you Talya … I’m so sorry for your loss but inspired by the legacy she has left.

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    October 21, 2012 at 12:01 am

    So simple, yet touchingly beautiful. That’s the beauty you bring out with your words, Talya. Thanks for sharing. Sorry for the void in your lives, but everso thankful for her presence which will ultimately be, everlasting. :))

    Cindy “Lu”

    Reply
  9. GraceGritsGarden says

    October 21, 2012 at 4:17 am

    Thanks everyone. She will be missed.

    Reply
  10. Kaa says

    October 22, 2012 at 11:31 am

    Sure is dusty in the office, today…

    Reply
    • GraceGritsGarden says

      October 22, 2012 at 12:18 pm

      and it’s allergy season…

      Reply
  11. Barbara Tate says

    January 20, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    Such a sweet tribute to Pauline. She was such a lovely lady. Your blog made me cry once more. So beautifully written.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Late Confession - grace grits and gardening says:
    January 12, 2014 at 6:18 am

    […] I felt the need to iron my shirt. I rarely iron and I am slow. While I ironed I worked on a blog that percolated in my head. This added a few minutes to my routine. […]

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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