SHE walks in beauty, like the night  Of cloudless climes and starry skies,  

And all that’s best of dark and bright  

Meets in her aspect and her eyes;  

Thus mellow’d to that tender light          

Which Heaven to gaudy day denies.  

One shade the more, one ray the less,  

Had half impair’d the nameless grace  

Which waves in every raven tress  

Or softly lightens o’er her face, 

Where thoughts serenely sweet express  

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.  

And on that cheek and o’er that brow  

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,  

The smiles that win, the tints that glow, 

But tell of days in goodness spent,  

A mind at peace with all below,  

A heart whose love is innocent.  

~ Lord Byron

I remember my grandmother in many ways, but the one that sticks out the most prominent in my mind is the the grace of that fine and modest lady. I use that word “lady” with great intention. Every Gwyn “daughter” knows exactly what I mean. 

Mrs. Wilmotine Gwyn neé Brown did not compromise in her definition or standards of what it meant to be a “lady”. It was the example that she set that kept us all reaching for the mark in life and beyond her time with us on this earthly plane.

That she set this standard for us out of the seemingly unending love in her heart still brings tears to my eyes. (Yes, I’m crying as I type this.) I also weep for those who do not have a standard bearer like my grandmother in their lives. 

Even in her passing she filled our spirits with joy and laughter. And that is what I hold onto because she was a beautiful lady whose walk inspired others to reach for greatness and I miss her sweet voice though her spirit is never far from me.

I played this song in tribute to my grandmother today. I’m sure there are others who may draw comfort from these words.

 http://youtu.be/CLC5GHptzYs