Many of you who follow my blog were blessed, as I was, to have known Clara-Betsy Carson. When I heard in church on Sunday that Clara-Betsy had died on Saturday it was a huge blow to me. I know she had been sick for a long while, but it still hurt. I had convinced myself, somehow, that she would soon return to our Sunday morning Bible study group where she would loudly and confidently explain to us all the nuances of the Bible. She wasn't afraid of speaking her mind or disagreeing with anyone's interpretation of the Bible, including the rector's. I first met Clara-Betsy shortly after moving to Newport in 2008. Here was this funny old lady with a strange way of talking like her dentures didn't quite fit (I'm still not sure what gave her that unique wet quality of speech) who loved to talk about my two favorite topics: the theatre, and the Bible.
Clara-Betsy had an incredible wealth of knowledge about the Bible and Biblical history. Whenever I got stumped reading a passage I knew I could ask her, and she would have an answer. It was her great love for Bible study that really inspired me to delve deeply into our Bible Study Group and this Bible Challenge. I think the greatest thing that sticks with me about Clara-Betsy's outlook on what it means to be a Christian was her complete and sincere belief that we are to love one another. On many occasions she and I spoke about the radical love that Jesus shares with us. Mother Anita told a story about taking communion to Clara-Betsy in the hospital, and Clara-Betsy's friend who was also visiting asked if she could take communion, too. Clara-Betsy immediately answered for the rector saying of course she could! Jesus and Jesus' love is for everyone. She selflessly gave to the needy by preparing meals every month for our church's soup kitchen. One time she told me that our "Soup's On" event was for anyone who was hungry. That might mean people who are literally hungry, or people who are hungry for company. People who are hungry for spiritual growth. People who are hungry for human contact. People who are hungry for a warm place to sit for a couple of hours. It's that kind of love that gives me glimpses of Jesus dwelling among us today.
I will miss Clara-Betsy dearly as she was a great inspiration to me as to how a Christian life should be lived. I can only smile thinking of all the commotion she must be causing in heaven right now. I'm sure she's organized a dinner where she'll explain to the gospel writers exactly what they meant.
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