Friday, February 20, 2009

Louvinia Pointer, 1916-2009


Mom Pointer at her 90th birthday

This has been a difficult post to get out, so I decided to start with a portion of a letter I wrote to a friend this past Saturday:

"I have just lived through some of the most profound moments of my life, and at the end of hers, with Mom Pointer. We arrived in Brooklyn yesterday afternoon, and none too soon, because it is expected that she will not make it through the weekend. She has a notebook, so she can write, she is too weak to speak, but her mind is sharp. When I walked in to her room, she picked up her pen and wrote 'my daughter, I love you so much, how is Edward?' The timing of our visit was perfect. We stayed at the house for a couple of hours, not in the room with her the whole time, but when it was time for me to leave her, I got in real close, she gathered her strength, and in a whisper and said 'You are my daughter', and I said 'You are my mother.' Again, she said 'You are my daughter', and I repeated' 'You are my mother. ' It was a moment the likes of which I have never experienced. I had to see her. So, now, I rest, and wait for the news....'

Mom Pointer went home to be with the Lord in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Now, I will tell you what I know. She had the voice of an angel when she sang, she loved the Lord with all her heart, with all her soul and with all her might, she kept the plight of the Negro Spiritual alive as choral director of 'The Great Day Chorale' for the last 20 years of her life, and in that, her waters ran very deep . She was wife and mother to 3 amazing children, Olive, Billy and Noel, grandmother and great-grandmother to what seems like a small army of children. I was blessed to know and love her as 'Mom'.

Over the years I learned that the Pointer household had a revolving door, front and back, meaning that neighborhood children, of every race, color and creed, (our 4 legged friends alike), were in and out of that house at one point or another. Hundreds and hundreds of children, literally. We met close to 30 years ago at her home in Brooklyn, at a bible study around her famous dining room table. Many a person came and went from around the table as well, but even more life-long relationships were birthed at that very spot. As my personal relationship with the Lord grew, so did my personal relationship with Mom Pointer. She was my 'go to' person, when the waters of life became rough, and I can just hear her saying 'Amy, THIS is who you are, trust God, believe God.' So, in the end, my heart is sealed in the special bond we shared. Prayers for comfort and grace abound for the Pointer-Harney family, and for the long, long reach of Mom's extended family. Finally, a scripture she mouthed over and over and over again last Friday:

"The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds."
2 Corinthians 10:4

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am sorry to hear of the loss of someone so special in your heart and life. God bless you and may you find comfort in Him. (((hugs)))

Unknown said...

I am so sorry for your loss. That was the most eloquent and beautiful tribute I have ever read.

Lydia

Anonymous said...

She Was one of Gods Angels on Earth. You are In Our Prayers.

as we both know you are in her heart.

Azure Accessories said...

I am so very sorry for your loss, she must have been a very special person for you to speak of her with such love and admiration!

May your faith comfort you...my thoughts are with you.
Heather

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Thank you Lynne for your kind words..God bless you too, and yes, I am finding comfort in Him...hugs to you as well..:))

On The Verge, your comment was very heartening...thank you so much..:))

RE, she might not have thought of herself as an angel, but definitely a one of God's precious children...thank you..

Oh Heather, she was spectacular, you would have loved her as have so many along the way...thank you so much for your kind words..couldn't do any of it w/out my faith...big hugs..:))

Anonymous said...

A very loving tribute to someone so dear in your life. What a sweet lady!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry for your loss. What a strong and beautiful tribute to her. It brought tears to my eyes. She must have been an amazing person to know. You are in my thoughts & prayers.

Anonymous said...

I am terribly sorry for your loss. I'm glad you were blessed with her. Thank you for giving her to us in this post.

Claudia from Denver Cereal

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tribute. Mothering can take many forms and you were lucky to have found a special one in her!

Periwinkle Studio said...

I am so sorry for your loss. That was such a beautiful tribute for her and the love that she shared. May you be surrounded with the love of God and His comforting arms.

Anonymous said...

I am sorry for your loss. It sounds as if you and many others were blessed by getting to know and love this wonderful woman!

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you will miss her terribly. I bet she was an amazing woman. She obviously loved you very much and will be watching over you from above.

Anonymous said...

My deepest condolences.

Even so, it seems you were lucky to know her - and that she felt the same way about you.

D' Luxe Designs said...

I am sorry for your bless. I was touched reading your post. God Bless You.

PlowandPony said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. Your tribute made me cry. It was beautiful. May the peace that surpasses all understanding be with you and your family during this time.

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Thank you Carol..she was so very dear...

Krista, the prayers for the entire Pointer clan are so very much appreciated...and she was, amazing!!

Hey Claudia, from Denver Cereal...I'm glad that you
got a sense of her thru the post..and blessed I was, blessed I am!

DJ, you hit the nail on the head..mothering CAN take many forms...she was a gem, for sure..:))

Thank you Periwinkle for your thoughtful comment...the Lord remains faithful in His comfort...:)

Yes, Stephanie...I am SO NOT ALONE in the shared love we had for Mom Pointer...her love stretched far and wide around the world!!!

Rebecca...now comes the true test..remembering all the conversations we had over the years and trusting God, believing God..yes, I will miss her...:((

Yes, Stephanie, we loved one another very much...thank you for your condolences..

D'Luxe, I am so glad that you were blessed in reading the post...that is very heartening!!

PlowandPony, my very prayer for the Pointer family...perfect...and thank you!!!

LizzyT said...

Your words show your love, I know how painful it is to lose someone you love. My thoughts are with you.

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about the loss of such a wonderful woman! How lucky to have know someone like that.

Nina Marana said...

I am so very sorry for your loss.God Bless You

Ms Recipe

Kristin said...

I had to comment after reading that, what an amazing tribute to a clearly wonderful lady.
Thank you for sharing that with us.
Take Care and comfort,
Kristin

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tribute and a beautiful woman. Love and Light.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Thank you Lizzy...I am so glad that you could feel her thru the words...:)))

Nancy, and she was, just a wonderful, wonderful woman...thank you for your thoughts..

Ms. Recipe, God bless you too...

Thank you Christin...your taking time to comment is very heartening...she was, as I will continue to say, truly a wonderful woman..it is true!

Thank you Monica...her daughter, Olive also had the same words as you...a 'tribute'...the very least I could do...blessings!

Anonymous said...

God bless her, she is home now. She was so beautiful, and lived a long strong fulfilling life. I can tell by her radiance.

Anonymous said...

A moving and loving tribute to the power of love. Wishing you comfort and peace. The world is blessed to have had this lovely woman in it. You are in my prayers.

Live, Love, Laugh, Write! said...

*HUGS*

Deb DiSalvo said...

Amy-
I am terribly sorry for your loss. She must have been a wonderful woman and sounds like she led a spiritual and fulfilling life. My prayers are with you and your family.
Take care.
xoxo,
Deb:)

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Z, I am always so glad to hear from you...she was especially radiant THAT night of her 90th b'day...it was a surprise...lots and lots and lots of people...she is home now, yes!!!

Thank you so much Marlene...this is a story about love, lots and lots of love...thank you for your prayers!!

Rose Works...HUGS..:)))

dear, dear Miss Deb... thank you dear friend for your thoughts..all true, wonderful, fulfilling, spiritual...thank you for your prayers...love love ....:)))

Dori said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. You wrote a great tribute to this wonderful lady. Her light has lived on in your words about her.

Unknown said...

Amy, my eyes haven't completely dried out since my own mother's passing, and I know it will take time and the Lord's love to lessen your grief, but I feel very strongly that Mom Pointer is doing grandly in her new home with God. May we all be so blessed.

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Hi Dori...the wonderful yellow house blog...thank you for your kind words...her light WILL live on and on, thru many, many people....it is true!!

Christy Gal...sent you an e-mail, but how right you are that your Mom and Mom Pointer are most definitely doing grandly in their new home w/ God...beautiful...much love...:)))

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful tribute. She sounds like an amazing woman, and you were very lucky to have such a special relationship. I am sure she is smiling down on you with pride and love.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. It is never easy to part with a loved one. She was a beautiful woman. I never would have guessed that she was 90 in that picture.

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Thank you Laurie for your kind words...everybody has been so kind...she was amazing and her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren...she looks down on all of us, w/pride and love...:))

Lucero, she was even beautiful @the end, almost looking like a little girl...she was especially beautiful the night of her 90th b'day celebration!!!

Anonymous said...

I love you for loving her that way

Amy Lilley Designs said...

AMEN Joyce...I love you too..:))

Kim said...

dear Amy
my deepest condolences to you and your family for your immense loss....
your story is such a moving tribute and testimonial....
my heart is very sad for you and my prayers go out to you ..
(((hugs )))

Amy Lilley Designs said...

dear, dear Kim...came back from NY yesterday...the home-going service was Thursday night...what a legacy Mom Pointer has left us all...it was a BEAUTIFUL and moving couple of hours...saw some very dear old friends, which is always fun....so good to re-connect...thank you so much for all your love and prayers the past couple of weeks...it means so much...love to you..:)))

Anonymous said...

Dearest Amy,
I am sorry to hear of this, I am also glad you had such a special friend in your life. I am reminded by your story of her how you are to others. May her spirit live on in your heart.
Gabby

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Gabby, my dear, dear Gabby...I am so happy that you read the post and for your beautiful comment. Mom Pointer is embedded in my heart forever...all my love to you...:))

Wendy said...

Ahh, Amy. I am so sorry for your loss. How fortunate you were to have had her in your life (and she, you!)

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Jennie, thank you...so fortunate, so blessed to have had her in my life...in my heart always...

Anonymous said...

Hi Amy S-L,

Arlen told me of your wonderful words. Mom Pointer was so lovely and humble, but her greatness can been seen in the fruit of all her loving children (blood & spirit).
Thank You
Eamon