Remembering and Jane Austen

Proverbs 10:7

“The memory of the righteous is a blessing.” 

In Memory of
JANE AUSTEN
youngest daughter of the late
Revd GEORGE AUSTEN
formerly Rector of Steventon in this County
She departed this Life on the 18th of July 1817,
aged 41, after a long illness supported with
the patience and the hopes of a Christian.

The benevolence of her heart,
the sweetness of her temper, and
the extraordinary endowments of her mind
obtained the regard of all who knew her and
the warmest love of her intimate connections.

Their grief is in proportion to their affection,
they know their loss to be irreparable,
but in their deepest affliction they are consoled
by a firm though humble hope that her charity,
devotion, faith and purity have rendered
her soul acceptable in the sight of her
REDEEMER

  

We are acutely aware of death during this COVID19 crisis.  The numbers of the dead and sick are quoted on the news every day, morning and night.  One New York Times article actually named the dead.  It becomes more real when we put a name to the numbers.  These people should be remembered and not just because they had the Corona Virus. With a tragedy of this proportion its easy to forget the people and only remember the disease.

   Jane Austen was one of the most brilliant novelists in the English language. Almost two-hundred and three years after her death, her stories exploring human nature and love still bring joy to her many readers, including me.  While she receives many accolades now and her work is throughly enjoyed and studied, during her lifetime she received only a small measure of notoriety and minimal monetary success.  

   As a fan of Jane Austen for many years, I vividly remember reading her work for the first time in my teen years. Her humor and ability to express the human spirit lassoed me in to her Regency era world as a lifetime admirer. I’ve read and reread her works more times than I can count.  When adaptions of her work began to hit the small and big screens, I was eager to watch and rewatch.  

   But I admit that it wasn’t until later in my life that I began researching the personal life and early death of Jane Austen.  The world remembers her work more than the woman herself.  When I read the epitaph -quoted above- for the first time, I was stunned that her writing career was not included. I mean she is Jane Austen!  But as I’ve grown older I’ve gained an understanding regarding her remembrance.  

   When I am gone, I’m vain enough to hope I’ll be remembered by those I love. Being a singer, photographer, and writer are wonderful gifts I have enjoyed, but they are not who I am.  They are just things I’ve done. I long to be remembered for who I am. I am a child of the Most High God, the Creator of the universe, and the Father of all mankind.  If those around me cannot see God reflected, then my life will have been in vain.  

   I pray that when the day comes, and it will come, that I pass from this life, I will be remembered for being loving and kind toward my Creator and His children.  Did I do all I could do to live for Him?  I pray it is so.