She’s Dancing with the Stars, A tribute to Emily Gaines Tinsley

My mother-in-law, Mom Tinsley, passed away on Monday at the age of 97. She was the mom who adopted Bill and his twin, Happy/AKA Debbie. So those who know Edie, my other mother-in-law, don’t panic. I was blessed to have a very good relationship with her, and she jokingly called me her “favorite” daughter-in-law, since I was her only one. She was always very affirming to me, even telling me I was beautiful with wet hair and no makeup, after swimming in the lake. As said by so many others, she endeared people with her Southern charm of calling them “Sweetheart” “Darling” and “Honey.” She was a wonderful, supportive wife, mother and grandmother. Her legacy will live on.

 

One thing we shared in common was a love of dancing, although she could dance circles around me and so many others. When she became a widow, she had boyfriends galore and she went out dancing often until at age 91, when she fell and broke her shoulder. Her quality of life after that was not what she was used to. I hated to see her reduced to just sitting, watching the television instead of living life to the fullest as she had before. Up until she was no longer able to drive she drove people to church, doctor’s appointments and was even a Christian counselor going to school, I think in her eighties, to get a Master’s degree. But the “Master’s Degree” that was most important to her was the one that said, Jesus is my Lord and Master. She had a prayer book with pictures in it of those who she was praying for and her prayers helped many people along the way. She made people feel loved and happy and that was truly her gift to the world.

 

Monday September 18^th I felt that the Lord wanted me to spend the day in Orlando, being at her side with her since Bill, Teresa and Frances had to work and Tina lives in Georgia. She had come through the surgery on Friday for her hip and the surgery on Sunday for a broken wrist well. Her daughter, Happy had flown in from Tennessee and wanted a ride over to the hospital and strangely, when normally my schedule doesn’t always allow for a day trip, all was good.

 

It was a long, bittersweet day and I’m not going to go into details, but it ended with her passing on into her heavenly home. After I returned home, I was wound up and turned on the television. The blast from the speakers said, “And this is Dancing with the Stars,” which was one of her favorite programs. I knew it was a special sign for me that she was dancing with Jesus.

 

She’s Dancing with the Stars 

 

Emily Gaines Tinsley showed us how to dance with her life,

And how to dance through life and do it well.

Her eyes, her countenance, her joy as she danced through life showed us first:

A little girl

A fun loving sister,

A young bride,

A loving mother,

A faithful daughter of our

Lord Jesus Christ.

 

All these things were there

In her eyes and life journey.

She communicated so well

With her beautiful blue eyes,

But also with the way

She danced through life.

She personified grace and mercy.

She was a sweet grandmother

A woman passionate

About her family and friends.

 

 “I’m ready to go,” she said to Teresa

On Friday, before her operation.

“You’re going home, Mama”

 

A few days later, her eyes portrayed

A new desire, “Set me free, Lord

To dance before You

At Your Majestic throne!

I’ve been in this old body

Way too long.

 

 

The Lord looked into those beautiful blue eyes

And said,

“Come my daughter, it’s your time.

You’ll not only be dancing with the stars,

You’ll be dancing with the One who flung them into heaven.”

 

(Donna Collins Tinsley in celebration of Emily Gaines Tinsley’s life 1920-2017)

 Praise the Lord in song, for He has done excellent things;
         Let this be known throughout the earth.
 Cry aloud and shout for joy, O Emily,
         For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

 Isaiah 12:4-6

 

To me, this quote by Mother Teresa of Calcutta sums up her life story and walk.

"Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be a loving expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting. To children, to the poor, to all who suffer and are lonely, give always a happy smile. Give them not only your care, but your heart." Mother Teresa of Calcutta

 

E ver loved by her family even

M ore as each year passed

I ndescribably beautiful

L atter years were peaceful

Y outhful in ways and looks always.

 

T houghtful

I n the ways of the Lord she walked

N eeded and cared for

S hine on, dear one

L ovely in ways and deeds

E xuberant and happy with dancing feet

Y ears of joy have been given. (Donna Collins Tinsley)