Beauty Of A Woman
By: Inion
Inion N. Mathair
Though it sounds utterly biased to use a relative for this post, I must be honest and say that the most beautiful woman in my life is my grandmother, Ginger Mallory. There are many things that define beauty, and beyond the fact that her physical beauty is unparalleled, it is her pure heart and loving spirit that sets her apart.
Through great hardships and impossible odds, she has risen above with her head held high and a warm smile on her face. Mathair and I tend to be a bit cynical, total “glass half empty” girls, but my Nana always tells us to keep our chins up and stay positive. She never fails to pull us out of our destructive mentality and plant a seed of hope and love inside of us.
In 2004, she was one of the many Punta Gorda, Florida residents that was hit by Hurricane Charley. But, rather than allow it to defeat her, she stayed strong as the backbone of our family and it’s thriving business Mallory & Sons Roofing.
Four years later, and still reeling from the natural disaster, her daughter, (Mathair) was in an almost, fatal car accident, hydroplaning and flipping her Tahoe six times. Nana called and kept in contact, though she desperately wanted to come and care for her baby girl. Unfortunately, a month later, her husband, (My Poppa, Barry Mallory) was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, stemming from asbestos exposure, and she had to stay in Florida to care for him. Within a three month period, we discovered that my great grandfather, Kenny Everett, and my great uncle, A.J. (Nokie) Mallory were terminal with the same illness.
My grandfather and her husband of almost fifty years passed in July of 2008. She moved to Otto, North Carolina to live with us, and even though she was still mourning, cared for her father and brother-in-law while helping my mother, and brother and I cope with our loss. Grandpa Kenny and Uncle Nokie died shortly after the move.
So much loss, so much unnecessary pain, and she continues to be a beacon of light in our lives, in the lives of everyone she touches. And, it’s not just in these last few years that she’s shown that strength and courage. She’s been fighting her way through the muck with that positive energy her whole life and has graciously enough passed that fighting spirit to us.
Whenever I need her, she’s always there. Whatever I need from her she’s always willing to give. She’s worn so many hats, Sunday School Teacher, business woman, motivational speaker, inspiration, good Samaritan, matriarch, wife, mother, but none more beloved by all than Nana, and oh what a beauty she is!
*Big thanks to http://augustmclaughlin.wordpress.com for allowing us to participate in this year’s Beauty of a Woman’s Blogfest. Best wishes to all and happy writing!*
Inion N. Mathair 
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How lovely your Nana sounds. A few of these posts have made me dearly miss both of mine. I know I was very lucky to have them as long as I did.
She is! Grandmothers are very special and leave us with long lasting memories to hold dear. Thanks for commenting Kim.
Inion, your Nana Ginger sounds like a powerful woman; one of the rare breed that seems, more often than not, to stem from the early to lower mid-1900s. How fortunate you – and we – are to have their example. Goodness! These beautiful grandmother posts have me missing my own tremendously.
Thank you, Ellen. I couldn’t have said it better myself. She’s most definitely old school. So sorry to hear that yours is no longer wtih you, but grandmothers have a way of sticking around in the memories we have and the traits they’ve passed along. Thank you for commenting.
She sounds so strong and beautiful. Her perseverance is awe-inspiring. 🙂
Thank you, Kourtney. We feel the same way. 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
A family of very strong, beautiful women you have there. A credit to your grandmother 🙂
If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know how we would’ve made it through. She is a constant inspiration, but more than that, she pushes us to be better, to be stronger and is always there to pick us up when we’ve fallen down. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Alarna. It’s always good to hear from you. 🙂
Your grandmother sounds amazing. But all three of you are amazingly strong for going through such a difficult time together and supporting one another through it! Beautiful post!
Thank you, Arlene. It was a difficult time and we clung to each other tightly as we could. It was the only thing that helped us out of that horror. Thanks for the comment and for stopping by. Love hearing from you! 🙂
A lovely post honoring your grandmother. Grandmothers have that special element of strength, don’t they? I had a grandmother who was extremely positive, strong, and supportive, and I miss her terribly. What a nice addition to the blogfest.
You’re absolutely right, Grandmothers are their own kind of species in that sense. I’m sorry for your loss, but grandmothers have a way of living on through us, and it’s in sharing that story that others can see their works. Thanks for stopping by and commenting! 🙂
I’m really enjoying the posts about grandmothers in this fest. Both of mine passed away when I was still young and I always wished I knew them better. Hearing your stories makes me smile, and I’m sure all of the grandmothers who are honored in this BOAW fest are smiling too!
My Nana was overjoyed and tearful when she read the post. It was the perfect reaction. I’m sorry to hear about your loss, Jess, but I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Just remember, Grandmothers live on through us. 🙂
Hi Inion: I also wrote about my grandmother for #BOAW. They were a special breed, you know? Do you think we will be that strong?
One can only hope, Renée. (LOL) But, you’re right. They don’t make women like they used to. Though, I’d like to think that they pass down that spirit to us, and with our mother’s raisings, we come out this quirky, little individual ready to pass those things down to our daughters. Thanks for commenting and we’ll be visiting your #BOAW post as well. Can’t wait to read. 🙂
All these stories are such an inspiration. Your grandmother sounds wonderful!
She is, Catherine, thank you. This is our first time participating in the blogfest, and it’s such an honor to support women and the various concepts of their beauty. Thanks for commenting.
What a wonderful woman.
Thank you, Kathryn. 🙂
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Oh, thanks so much for sharing your story. Witnessing that kind of strength and courage is so invaluable. What an honor.
Lovely post!
That’s why this blogfest is so important. To show that beauty is something far beyond the norm or what society percieves it to be. Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Coleen. We love hearing from you! 🙂
She sounds a wonderful as well as beautiful woman.
Both of my own grandmothers were beautiful in all sorts of ways and I miss them.
So sorry for your loss, Patsy. But, they continue to live on through the beauty and strength they exhibited while on this earth, and through you. Thanks for commenting and for sharing your grandmothers with us.
Such women are incredible=) My sister’s like this. Her husband was electrocuted shortly after the birth of her second child. And yet, caring for both husband and newborn, she kept her faith and her smile. Your Nana must be amazingly beautiful=)
She is and your sister sounds beautiful as well, and so strong. I don’t know how they do it. Thanks for your comment and for stopping by. 🙂