Word to Word by Marnie Pohlmann

Nana’s Journal 

                             - Marnie Pohlmann

She gathered her feelings

With soft word ribbon,

Laced to pages with cursive bows

And teardrops.

Bouquets of pain and hope,

Intertwined with faith,

Pressed into her journal

In ink,

Fading.

Preserved

So generations to follow

Could meet her, 

Know her thoughts,

Feel her love,

Untie their hearts,

And worship her Lord.

My Mom, Olive, was also known as Nana.  We always knew Mom loved playing with words, but it was not until her death that we found how she had been using her talent. She had put a few thoughts into a small journal - thoughts on parenting, insights to Scripture, and opinions about her life circumstances. She wrote in prose, poetry, and prayer. I copied the journal for each of  my siblings, as a legacy to pass on to their children.

Mom and Me

 Chasing after her own nine children as well as a myriad of foster children with a variety of physical, mental, or emotional needs, I did not often see Mom reading, yet I know she enjoyed an assortment of books. I did see Mom do the Scramble puzzle in the newspaper every day, as well as the Cryptogram puzzle, and sometimes the Crossword puzzle, though she did not like the newspaper crosswords as much because they often focused on Hollywood stars, and she did not watch much television.

Mom taught us to play with words, too, especially while traveling or if we ever said we were bored. For example, take the word “conflagration” and see how many words you can make using the letters from this word. What is the largest word you can form? How many three-letter words can you list? At the end of her life, Dad said he found papers on which Mom had been playing this game using the names of her chemotherapy medicines.

Mom used words, both in games and in her journal, to make sense of life. She passed on this method of maintaining sanity to me, so while I may not often write to share with others, I cannot help but write through my emotions and circumstances.

Yes, Mom passed to her kids a love of playing with words, from Scrabble to creative writing. More than playing with words, though, Mom passed on a love of The Word.

As a child sitting through the sermons at church, I loved to lean into Mom and share her Bible. She had notes written in her well-worn King James translation with its cracked black leather cover.  I found some of the treasures she underlined. I loved to read Colossians 1:9-13, which she had noted as her prayer for each of her children.

Mom showed me that God is personal. He spoke through His Word specifically to her, and to her life circumstances, so I knew God would also speak to me as I read His Word. Amid life struggles, Mom showed me I could walk in peace, with God.

I Am Finding

                                   - Olive Shaver Freeman

When one is in a state of complete devastation

God is there!

When one is in great confusion

God is there!

When one feels intense betrayal

God is there!

When one is lost in a feeling of very little or no self-worth

God is there!

When one is searching desperately for the will to go on coping

God is there!

Yes Yes Yes

I am finding

God

Who long ago found me,

Who is with me right where I am

And where God is

There is peace!

The example of my Mom and the words she left are a legacy that leads to God.
May my life and my words also lead to God.