SHE WAS A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
Here is some good fatherly advice” Son before you marry the girl, make sure check out her mother! Then you'll know what she's going to look like in 20 years?”
Some of you didn’t get that memo!
When Connie introduced me to the family and I met Ginny for the first time, “I’m thinking this isn’t your mother, it must be your sister!”
So young, pretty and vibrant! Beautiful face with a natural glow, well dressed, light hearted and genuine with a pleasing giggle in her voice.
Her husband hugged her in the hallway, kissed her in the kitchen, his eyes sparkled every time she passed by... I’m thinking “This is a special woman.”
HER HOME WAS A HAPPY PLACE
Ginny was not just a beautiful woman and home-maker she was a “home-master”. Her house was clean and organized.
Her kitchen smelled like blueberry pancakes in the morning, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon and chicken tortilla casserole at six.
She was not just a crafty person or one who could sew the hem in a pair of pants but Ginny was a creative genius.
She could make anything. She was frugal but never generic, never extravagant or frilly or wasteful. She just got things done right and good and pleasing.
She created table runners for every season and wall hangings to match. Blankets for the babies. Quilts and clothes and tapestries.
Her concept of color and style was rich, pleasing and always beautiful. She decorated her walls and her world with everything good.
Like a fine artist surveying her pallet and canvas, she meticulously went to work using all the colors and hues of everyday life pulling them all together into a masterpiece of joy and delight for everyone.
She just had an inner sense of how to invest her time and talents into things that had real value and meaning for her family and friends.
HER FAMILY WAS HER FOCUS
Oh how she loved her family! Of course that started with the man of her dreams, Don. Ginny didn’t just love Don, she was infatuated with him.
Don was her hero and the center of her attention at all times. She mixed every thought, every hope, dream, plan, every idea all ran through and with Don, they were one.
When Ginny would tell a story (she had many) (but not as many as Don) If she had a question about anything she would just (Donald it) (not Google it) because she knew without a shadow of a doubt Don knew the answer!
I contacted Google and asked them where they got all their facts from and they responded without hesitation (from Don!)
HER FRIENDS EXPERIENCED TRUE HOSPITALITY
Her home was always filled with friends. I can never forget when I first met the family all the kids’ friends wanted to hang out at the Baudrand’s home. Teenagers felt respected and accepted, known and welcomed. Ginny was so fun and friendly, warm and kindhearted to everyone.
She had the gift of hospitality and opened her home to us all. Every week was an ongoing parade of family, guests and visitors.
The coffee was always on and the guest room linens were always clean and ready. We all planned our special visits to their house. There was no need for exciting events because they made everyday life fun.
Just going to the grocery store, Cosco, a walk to the bay, a car ride anywhere was a great adventure. But the best of all was just sitting in the family room joking and singing or reading a book.
Ginny was at ease in her world and she made us all understand the value of family time and we really did value it.
HER FAITH WAS QUIET BUT SURE
I remember Connie telling me that one time Ginny went to the minister and asked for help because she was worrying about her Kids.
The minister told her, “Ginny you can either worry yourself into a nervous breakdown or trust God.”
I think we all know which decision she made. Her quiet love for God, His church, God’s ways and God’s people were clearing demonstrated in the way she lived.
Her pure heart and gentle ways were the evidence of the fruit of God’s Spirit in her life. Love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, faith, She was a fruit bearing tree loaded with God’s Love.
HER LEGACY LIVES ON IN ALL OF US
It is amazing how someone who was never self-imposing, self-centered, loud or forceful can make such a large and lasting impression on so many.
She never tried to be the center of attention but she couldn’t help but stand out in a crowd. The loving glow of confidence in her role in life was like “Apples of Gold in Settings of Silver.” She shined and didn’t even know it. She was like a perfectly cut diamond on a swath of black velvet in the jewelers display case.
She was a ray of warm sunlight when she would walk into your restaurant, your Doctor’s office, the grocery store anywhere she would go. She was a cool breeze of confidence in tough situations.
Each one of us could claim that we were her favorite person in the world! “Her Best Friend!" Because that is just the way she made all of us feel, important, special to her and valued.
Thank you God for Ginny Baudrand and thank you Ginny for sharing with us your wonderful life. Because you gave so much of yourself to us your legacy surely lives on…