We wanted to let everyone know that my Mom passed away with her family around her this morning. She had the opportunity the evening before to have a very spiritual and wonderful moment with all of us. We thank you for all of the support and love you have shown to her and our family through out the end of her time with us.
I SEE
the MOUNTAIN!
A
by
Susi Skelton
September 20, 2012
Gloria once asked her doctor, “Look at that mountain. What
do you see?” He said, “I don't know what you're asking.” She said, “Exactly,
it's all in the perspective. I SEE the mountain!" Gloria Schwab Richardson, my special friend
and sister in the Lord, has the most amazing, uplifting, unique and positive
perspective on life.
Where others look at the real, physical mountains around us and see just
huge masses of dirt and stone, she sees the BEAUTY in the miracles of God’s
handiwork, the BEAUTY of life all around her. And she takes time to think about
it and appreciate it.
Where others look at the “mountains of life” (or problems) and see
nothing but huge obstacles in their paths, “Glori” has always seen the
“mountain” as a challenge, waiting to be conquered. If someone tells her she
“can’t” she goes to work figuring out exactly how she CAN. When others look at the “mountain”, become
discouraged and give up, she starts planning how to climb over it, go around it
or tunnel right through it. She will not be denied, discouraged or stopped when
she sees a need or has a goal.
When someone tells her she will be” lucky to put cookies in a cookie
jar” she says “You’re wrong. I can do more.” And she educates herself, against
all odds, and becomes a teacher, a coach, and a principal to “at risk” kids. For her unflagging determination to never
give up, her tenacity, her amazing attitude and her outstanding service to
others she was given “The Administrator of the Year Award” by the very same
university that told her years earlier that she would be “lucky to put cookies
in a cookie jar”!
She certainly has done MORE, a lot MORE, MORE than anyone ever expected. She has raised two little girls all by
herself for years, and instilled them with a deep faith in God. And they have
grown up to become beautiful, wonderful, productive, spiritual women, who are
now passing on those qualities to their own children. She has become a loving,
kind, attentive, fun and adored “Gramma Glori” to her grand children, playing
with them, teaching them and loving them with all her heart. Even in the face
of the biggest challenge of her life, cancer, she has had the most POSITIVE,
UPLIFTING attitude, cheering up everyone else around her, when most would think
that she was the one in need of cheering. She lights up her surroundings
wherever she goes.
Glori has taught me to FIGHT for what I want and need, even when the
odds are against me, and to NEVER GIVE UP. She has taught me to have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE,
even when things look bleak. She has taught me to have COURAGE in the face of
adversity, to have HOPE and DETERMINATION in every aspect of life. She has
taught me to maintain a SENSE of HUMOR even in the darkest hours. She has taught me to be a better woman, a
better wife, a better mother, a better sister, a better daughter, a BETTER
PERSON. She has given me the precious
gift of learning to CHERISH EVERY MOMENT I have on this earth. She has also taught me to
have FAITH IN THE LORD when many in this world doubt Him, and to RELY ON MY
SAVIOR at all times, and in all things
and in all places. I am so privileged to have know her. I love her with all my
heart.
Glori, your influence in this world, for the BETTER will NEVER be forgotten and your legacy will
live on FOREVER!!! I love you with all my heart for being the AMAZING WOMAN you
are.
Now, finally, I, too, SEE THE MOUNTAIN!
Thank
you, Glori, for that!
