Crazy Stable

This Thanksgiving, I give thanks for two extraordinary women, my mother, Mathilde, and one of my "spiritual mothers," my aunt Valeska, both of whom left us on November 18--my mom in 1999, and Valeska just last Saturday evening, surrounded by the love of my cousins.  If you know or have ever known a woman like the one in Proverbs below, give thanks for her today:

Valeska and three of my cousins, Yellow Springs, Ohio

  An excellent wife, who can find?
         For her worth is far above jewels.
  The heart of her husband trusts in her,
         And he will have no lack of gain.
  She does him good and not evil
         All the days of her life.
  She looks for wool and flax
         And works with her hands in delight.
  She is like merchant ships;
         She brings her food from afar.
  She rises also while it is still night
         And gives food to her household
         And portions to her maidens.
She considers a field and buys it;
         From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength
         And makes her arms strong.
She senses that her gain is good;
         Her lamp does not go out at night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
         And her hands grasp the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor,
         And she stretches out her hands to the needy…

 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
         And she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom,
         And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household,
         And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and bless her;
         Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
"Many daughters have done nobly,
         But you excel them all."
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
         But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her the product of her hands,
         And let her works praise her in the gates.

 Proverbs 31:10-20, 25-31
Mommy and me, rehearsing