The Women in Me

I stand on the shoulders of Giants. I can feel the strength of the great women of faith, and courage -- women who have gone before me, whose same blood flows through my veins -- these women are always with me, a part of me. We are connected. We are family. I marvel at their stories, their lives, and their strength. Sometimes I think about them, when times are hard, and I draw courage from what they endured. They are my heroes.  One day, I hope to not be ashamed to stand in their glorious presence, as friends, as equals. 

By knowing them, I come to know myself better. 

These are the women in me . . . 

Sara Emily Cram Post (Nan), my grandma, my friend. Known for her big heart, her beauty, and her life full of love and service to others. Mother to 8 children. 

Nadine Mae Kippin. My Grandma. Known for her wit, and her endurance to the end. She was stubborn and determined, her life was not easy. She was a diligent genealogist, who inspired my desire to do Family History work. 

Emily Isabella Rasband (The Belle of the Ball), my great grandma. Known for her open heart, open home, and her enduring happiness. While dying of Cancer, with her jaw bone exposed, she still smiled and was kind to the bitter end. 

Isabella Stevensen Kippen, my great grandma. Known for her beauty, her brains, and her faith. Her husband went on a LDS mission to Samoa in 1892. She traveled from Scotland to Utah, without her parents, on a long and tedious journey. 

Louise Augusta Osterdahl Lindquist, my great, great grandma. Known for her Swedish strength, beautiful home, glorious food, and mothering of 11 children. 

Emily Allsworth Post, my great grandma. Known for her beautiful singing voice, her warm heart, and kindness. 

Anne Steel, my great, great, great, great grandma. Known for her faithfulness, her willingness to follow Jesus, and pure Scottish strength that allowed her to come to America and endure endless hardships, and help settle the Utah Valley. 

Sara Emily Post Lindquist, my own mother. Known for her kindness, her love, her beauty, her talents, her willingness to serve God, and her positive attitude. 

To all you marvelous women -- those listed here, and all who have gone before me -- you are always with me. You are a part of me forever. 

Thank you.