One thing Grammy never did was forget her beloved Grandkids. In some sort of better world they would have known her better than they did. Yet in God's great and loving way he allowed a maternal closeness to grow over the great distances seperating her from her grandkids.
Allen, John, Olivia and Amanda (known here on as Queen Elizabeth) were an important part of Grammys life. From Allen, who Grammy brought into her life as if he had been there since he was a baby, to Queen Elizabeth who doesn't remember seeing Grammy in person so well but held royal conversations with her over the phone, to John, her pride and joy, to my sweet Olivia, Grammy's grandkids held a special place in her heart, her crafts and her life. Always full of wisdom and love, Grammy never hesitated to share God's grace and Jesus salvation plan with her grandchildren.
I remember last summer when my daughter, Olivia, visited with Grammy for a time, she had lost a ring that meant a lot to her. She was crying, sad because we couldn't find her jewelry. John, I, Olivia and kids from the neighborhood who visited Grammy a lot looked and looked for this special item causing Olivia so much sorrow. Then, seeing an oppurtunity from the Lord, Grammy rolled her wheelchair up to Olivia, grabbed her into her arms (Grammy could hug!) and while reassuringly hugging Olivia to her, she prayed for a few minutes asking the Lord Jesus to show us where this ring, so beloved by Olivia, was. Before closing her prayer, Grammy thanked Jesus - even before it was found (thats faith!) - for His unflagging love and for His unerring will.
Not ten minutes later the Lord showed what Grammys faith was all about. She exampled this faith to an adult who lost decades of forgetfulness in a moment, to a teen who was amazed despite his trying not to show it, to a room full of neighborhood kids who may or may not have at home what I and my siblings grew up with and to a little girl, 10 years old, who will never forget such love and devotion for the Lord Jesus. A Lord capable of saving the world he created. A Lord who found the creatures he create in His image so important that he numbered the hair on their heads. A Lord of such grace that a little girl and her ring are worthy of His attention.
Grammys are always important and special, the Lord himself makes that clear throughout his word. They are deserving of our respect, ALWAYS; from sons and daughters and from grandkids. Our Grammy, my Mom, deserved all she too often didn't get. More than that. Now, because she is a child of God, she can expect all that. And much, much more than that. Through the leading of her dear Lord, Grammy has crowns built up for things we had no idea she had done.
I used to tell Grammy I was proud of her, that she had nothing to be ashamed of in raising her children. She can feel the same way about her influence on the grandchildren she so achingly loved. She loved being Grammy as much as she loved being Mom.
Grandkids, leave a small token of the love you felt for her. Just words, but words powered by your honesty and love. Words that can show the true meaning of what we feel for people and too often don't tell them enough. You, her grandchildren, showed Grammy unflinching love and that was sometimes more than her children showed her. Children can be too judgemental of their parents. You grandkids were an example for the adults. I'm proud of you guys, all of you.
Feel free, on this special grandkid page, to leave your thoughts whenever they come to mind. Its from you to Grammy. Let the world know how much she was loved, how much she meant to you. Tell stories about her, tell stories about you, tell whatever you want. Grammy never told you not to talk with her, just the opposite. Pretend she's there in her wheelchair listening with love in her eyes despite her physical pain. For the two grandkids who can remember Grammy out of her wheelchair for any substantial amount of time, pretend your walking with her. She would have especially loved that. You guys, Allen and John, are the only Grandkids who can remember her capable of comfortably taking a walk so share it with everyone.
God loves you, Grammy loves you and I love you. God bless Grammys grandchildren who were loved so unconditionally by her. I know you guys love all your Grandparents a lot. Share some of the love you gave to Grammy with them, share the rest with everyone else. Grammy would have
liked you to do that.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13
Uncle Ed
It's been 18 months and not a grandkid has left a message. That is heartbreaking.
John, you especially should leave your love. Your specialness to Grammy as her first grandkid was unsurpassed by any of her grandkids after. You were special to her. Now is the time we need to think about what our elders no longer with us might think of what we've done but we never seem to do. I didn't. Wish I had. Writing it down, son, makes it more real than we'd like to deal with - which is what you need. Grammy would like and accept nothing less than honesty. Write something your Grammy who thought you were so important would find honest.
Olivia, you can write. so do so. Give your Grammy some thought. Put down the game, remote or secular book, pick up the Word of God and pray, then write what ever you want or what you think Grammy would have liked to read.
Amanda, sweetness, write to your hearts content about whatever you wish. Grammy, if alive, would have read it with great care. Write it like she would have read it.
Allen, if you ever see this, write. Grammy's greatest pleasure was when the Lord Jesus used her to further God's salvation plan in someone's life, as he used her in yours. Give thanks to your heavenly Father then say a word or two. She loved you like Jesus commanded. Write to her like she did.
I love each one of you and vow to pray daily for you as I'm sure Grammy did.
Uncle Ed 1/7/2010
