It has been a decade since we lost my sweet mother-in-law, Naida. Think of the nicest, most service oriented person you know, multiply times ten, and you begin to have an idea of who Naida was. She’s one of the most Christ-like people I’ve ever known. She didn’t have a mean bone in her body. Small in frame, she stood at just 5’1”, but the height of her character loomed above us all. A mother of eight children, she loved and served others all her life without complaint. Making others happy seemed to fill her with joy.
While in grade school, Chuck remembers walking through his front door after school every day and instinctively calling out to his mom. From whatever corner of the house she was in, she would answer back, and then, reassured, he would go about his business knowing that all was right with the world.
As a young newlywed myself, it would amaze me how Naida could make a great meal out of nothing at all, just whatever was in her fridge. That’s one quality I am definitely lacking. Poor Chuck went from his mom’s home cooking to mine. It’s a good thing he spent a few years away from home before we met so that he wouldn’t always be reminded of the stark contrast.
I have many fond memories with Chuck’s folks as we travelled through Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, Canada, Mexico, and Washington DC. Among my absolute favorites were simply camping with them at Big John’s Flat in Beaver Canyon. In the evenings there was always a card game and a bowl of ice cream. Naida was a great canasta partner. Her otherwise docile personality on occasion would give way to a devious grin right before laying down a hand of cards that would destroy the opposing team. No smack talk, just a smile and then she would get up to refill the M&M’s dish so the guys wouldn’t feel so bad.
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Naida always maintained a close relationship with her Savior, Jesus Christ, so it feels only natural to dedicate this arrangement of the Easter hymn 'Christ the Lord Is Risen Today' to Naida Hutchings — an angel that walked the earth for 92 years. She was a blessing to us all and her influence is still felt in our lives today.
Click HERE to download free sheet music
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