A Lifter

My middle name is Lee. It was given to me in honor of my Grandma, Leotha Wade Slagowski. My grandma passed away this summer, and it was a lot harder than I expected it to be. My husband and I had the privilege to live with my grandma for the last few months of her earthly life. She took us poor newlyweds in until we were going to leave for school. During that time she continued to deteriorate in health and passed away. During Saturday’s Relief Society broadcast for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints I realized something. Not only did I love my grandma as family, but as you serve someone you develop a profound love and care for that person. My husband and I had the opportunity to serve her every day we were there- anything from taking her to church, to making her a root beer float, to just sitting and chatting with her. We truly loved every minute of it, and I miss it immensely.

My grandma was one of the best people I have ever known- ever heard of! Those who knew her know what I am talking about when I say that everyone who met her was better because of the association. This is a link to her online memorial so you can learn about her. http://www.russonmortuary.com/sitemaker/sites/RUSSON1/obit.cgi?user=677204Slagowski While this is a beautiful tribute, there is no way to really capture my grandmother in words. 

About 7-10 years ago my grandma gave all of her grandkids a book of poems she had written for Christmas. I liked it okay then, but I absolutely cherish it now. My grandma was a master with words. She could capture everything from a child’s laugh to her feelings about our Savior, Jesus Christ with a pen and paper. Since my grandma passed away I have found her poetry narrating my life. It’s kind of weird. Something happens and one of her poems just pops into my head. For over a week now I have had this idea consuming me... distracting me from my homework... so I decided I’d better try it out.

In today’s society there is so much negativity, filth, and immorality at our fingertips. There is also so much positive and good, and I want to add to that! I’ve had this feeling that my grandma’s poetry is something that could really lift and inspire people- I know it has lifted and inspired me! I wish more people could read the beautiful words I’ve come to treasure, so I am starting this blog. It is obviously not meant to be an everlasting blog, because the source of poetry is gone and I only have so much to work with. This is also not for critiquing or anything like that. It is just to share some words that have inspired me, and some experiences that relate.

The first poem I would like to share is called A Lifter. I decided to share this first because it is the definition of my grandma.

A Lifter

Oh, let me be a lifter.

May those who cross my path

go on their way

built up in self-esteem,

renewed in self-respect.

Teach me to understand

that each person

is a child of God

with inherent worth

and unlimited potential,

beloved of Him

as much as I.

Help me to accept people

where they are

and how they are,

to always be aware

that tender feelings

need tender care.

Let me be generous

in praise

and quick to recognize

the smallest effort.

May I be the first to say,

“I am so proud of you!”

Oh, let me be a lifter.

My grandma was a lifter, and it is my goal to be one, too. So people, here’s the goal of this blog! I will moderate it, but I’d love friends and family members to contribute. If you have a favorite poem, memory, experience, etc I would love to share it here! Thanks for reading!