Proverbs 31: Here's a modern-day illustration

More than three weeks ago, I received an e-mail from Bill Adams of Youngstown telling me about his wonderful wife, Anna Ciambotti.
"Of course I'm biased," Bill wrote, "but to me there is no more compassionate or capable woman in Mahoning County."
I printed a copy of the e-mail and laid it on my desk. Every morning when I arrived at work I would see the e-mail and read it again. From the details of Bill's e-mail, Anna truly sounded like a remarkable woman -- so much so that I was, I admit, a bit intimidated by her.
Which is why it took me nearly a month to finally talk with Anna. Even over the phone, I could hear the sweet, genuine kindness in her voice.
She was embarrassed by my interest in writing about her-- making her even more charming to talk with.
"You are like the Proverbs 31 woman," I told her. After I said the words, I knew why I had taken so long to contact Anna.
A wise woman
The Proverbs 31 woman, described in the last chapter of the book of Proverbs in the Bible -- a book filled with wise instructions -- has always intimidated me as an unreachable standard I am supposed to live up to.
Anna seems to be the full embodiment of the virtuous woman this proverb describes.
A capable wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not harm,
all the days of her life.
From the words of Bill's letter, he knows he has found a gem.
She rises while it is still night
and provides food for her household
For 30 years, Anna rose early in the morning and went to work at Girard High School, where she taught English.
"I have seen letters from Anna's former students who have gone on to great success in life," Bill writes. "The students recall her passion for teaching and the great positive influence she has had on their lives."
"I loved being a teacher," Anna says wistfully.
Anna retired from teaching in 2002.
She looks well to the ways of her household,
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
While still teaching, Anna graduated from the University of Akron School of Law and became a licensed attorney.
"She performs an invaluable service for the children of Mahoning County as a Guardian ad Litem," Bill says, in noting the respect he has for his wife's dedication.
... children rise up and call her happy;
her husband too, and he praises her
"Anna advocates for the best interests of children involved in divorce and family law cases and has gained the respect of judges, attorneys and Children Services workers with her dedication and commitment to each case," Bill says in praising Anna.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
"A lot of what I incorporate in my findings has a lot to do with what I learned teaching," Anna shares.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
"I do a lot of work at night, writing reports and recommendations," Anna says. "I sit up at night all the time thinking of the children I am representing."
She opens her hands to the poor,
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
In the ultimate act of a Proverbs 31 woman, on May 27 Anna donated a kidney to her sister, Ellen Ciambotti, who had been on dialysis for 18 months.
"Thanks to the new kidney from Anna, Ellen is off dialysis and feeling much, much better," Bill writes, the words practically beaming off the page.
Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all ...
let her works praise her in the city gates.
gwhite@vindy.com