It is Grandparents’ Day – so happy holiday to all you grandparents on the list! I spoke at my church tonight and told a story about my Grandma Freelan, so I thought I would make today a tribute to my grandparents and tell a little about them.
My Dad's Dad died before I was born, so I don’t have any stories about him. I just will mention him here so you don’t think I forgot him!
Dad's Mom was already migrating to Florida each winter by the time I showed up on the scene. Each year, she’d spend a couple of weeks with us in the fall and in the spring on her way to and from Florida. I lived for those weeks – I thought they were the best thing ever. It was probably the best vacation my Mom had from me when I was little. Because when Grandma was in the house, nobody else mattered.
And bless her heart, she put up with so much. Anything I wanted to do to her – I could do. Some days I was a teacher, and I’d set up a whole classroom and make her my student. I’d teach her history and English and writing and whatever else I was learning in school. She had to do homework and take tests and try to excel above the 20 other imaginary (yet very smart) students in my class. I was a tough teacher.
Sometimes I was a nurse and she had to have shots and medicine and her blood pressure taken and who knows what else. There’s a scary thought – me as a nurse. Just for the record…if you happen to see me wearing scrubs in a billboard photo in a few months, please know that I’m a nurse in photos and playtime with Grandma only…and you wouldn’t want me to try anything more than that where healthcare is concerned.
And sometimes I was a piano teacher. I’d sit beside her at the piano and make her count in four-four time. I’d set the timer and make her practice between lessons. It was great!! Finally, I could be in charge and let someone ELSE do the practicing!
I loved Grandma – tonight at church I shared about what a prayer warrior she was – how I think she prayed for every person on the planet by name. And she did not get off her knees until she had named them all. Grandma was the warrior to have on your side. I miss her – and I miss her prayers.
My Mom’s parents were much closer to me in location, so I spent a lot more time with them than just a couple of weeks twice a year. They spoiled me rotten. When I was little and spent the night at their house, they’d take me out to McDonalds and buy me a real Happy Meal with the toy included. Grandma would make root beer floats and I’d sleep on the couch with a row of dining room chairs beside me to keep me from falling on the floor. They always brought me a bell for my bell collection any time they went on vacation.
They came to grandparents day at school every year and everyone always knew they were my grandparents because they were the oldest ones and because my Mom and my Grandma look exactly alike. Grandma decorated my birthday cake every year and I still have a little green ceramic doll that sat on top of the cake when I was five.
Grandma and Grandpa were a great example to me of how to be best friends forever. They did everything together for as long as I could remember…and before that even. They had devotions and coffee together every morning. They went to church every week. They prayed for their family and were involved in each of our lives as much as they possibly could be.
I am thankful for their influence on my life. I love the way they welcomed me in to a family that already had a set dynamic, but they made room for me. I always felt special and welcomed in their presence. And I love it that now I have memories to relive every day when I wake up in the home that was theirs! (Although I do wonder what they’d think of the purple bedroom.)
So Happy Grandparents’ Day – and thank you to each of my grandparents that I had the privilege to know. Thank you for being the best grandparents ever. I miss you so much.
My Dad's Dad died before I was born, so I don’t have any stories about him. I just will mention him here so you don’t think I forgot him!
Dad's Mom was already migrating to Florida each winter by the time I showed up on the scene. Each year, she’d spend a couple of weeks with us in the fall and in the spring on her way to and from Florida. I lived for those weeks – I thought they were the best thing ever. It was probably the best vacation my Mom had from me when I was little. Because when Grandma was in the house, nobody else mattered.
And bless her heart, she put up with so much. Anything I wanted to do to her – I could do. Some days I was a teacher, and I’d set up a whole classroom and make her my student. I’d teach her history and English and writing and whatever else I was learning in school. She had to do homework and take tests and try to excel above the 20 other imaginary (yet very smart) students in my class. I was a tough teacher.
Sometimes I was a nurse and she had to have shots and medicine and her blood pressure taken and who knows what else. There’s a scary thought – me as a nurse. Just for the record…if you happen to see me wearing scrubs in a billboard photo in a few months, please know that I’m a nurse in photos and playtime with Grandma only…and you wouldn’t want me to try anything more than that where healthcare is concerned.
And sometimes I was a piano teacher. I’d sit beside her at the piano and make her count in four-four time. I’d set the timer and make her practice between lessons. It was great!! Finally, I could be in charge and let someone ELSE do the practicing!
I loved Grandma – tonight at church I shared about what a prayer warrior she was – how I think she prayed for every person on the planet by name. And she did not get off her knees until she had named them all. Grandma was the warrior to have on your side. I miss her – and I miss her prayers.
My Mom’s parents were much closer to me in location, so I spent a lot more time with them than just a couple of weeks twice a year. They spoiled me rotten. When I was little and spent the night at their house, they’d take me out to McDonalds and buy me a real Happy Meal with the toy included. Grandma would make root beer floats and I’d sleep on the couch with a row of dining room chairs beside me to keep me from falling on the floor. They always brought me a bell for my bell collection any time they went on vacation.
They came to grandparents day at school every year and everyone always knew they were my grandparents because they were the oldest ones and because my Mom and my Grandma look exactly alike. Grandma decorated my birthday cake every year and I still have a little green ceramic doll that sat on top of the cake when I was five.
Grandma and Grandpa were a great example to me of how to be best friends forever. They did everything together for as long as I could remember…and before that even. They had devotions and coffee together every morning. They went to church every week. They prayed for their family and were involved in each of our lives as much as they possibly could be.
I am thankful for their influence on my life. I love the way they welcomed me in to a family that already had a set dynamic, but they made room for me. I always felt special and welcomed in their presence. And I love it that now I have memories to relive every day when I wake up in the home that was theirs! (Although I do wonder what they’d think of the purple bedroom.)
So Happy Grandparents’ Day – and thank you to each of my grandparents that I had the privilege to know. Thank you for being the best grandparents ever. I miss you so much.
2 comments:
I have a really funny memory of your mom's parents. They had put out a request through the church (and our pitifally small youth group) that they needed a little help with yard work. For some reason I was trying to raise money for something, and my mom told me about their need. So I called them up, and I know they were really wanting a strapping young man to mow and weed whack among other yard activities that I had never done, but they were so gracious to let me come over for a Saturday to help. Your grandpa was so patient as I kept breaking the weed whacker string - I was so embarrassed that at one point I got on my hands and knees along the fence and was pulling up the grass by hand. They did pay me for my time, but I wasn't much help (and I never went back - I think we both knew I was a little out of my element.)I think I was only 12 or 13 or something. Why didn't my mom talk some sense into me?
Deb - I'm laughing so hard reading your comment!!! I so feel your pain as I've broken my fair share of weed whacker strings!!! But I'm sure they were very sweet to you - because they were just good like that. Maybe your mom needed a good story for an illustration for class or something??? So she thought she'd let you try? LOL. I love it. And I'd say strapping yard worker or not, if they knew your recent accomplishment of manual labor (which is exactly what I'd call it!) they'd be so proud!!!!
Post a Comment