A Grandson’s Remembrance

“… And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:2-4

Perseverance – that is a great word to describe my grandmother. A woman of few words – yet preached the message of “love” throughout the actions of her life.

Grandma past away Tuesday June 3rd, 2007 at the age of 91. She lived a good long life and she will be deeply missed.

Growing up the only girl of seven younger bothers – becoming their mother at the age of 13 when her own mother passed away with complications from childbirth – grandma lead a challenging life from the beginning. Through the great depression and many life challenges – grandma persevered.

Grandma would have never complained and would have considered herself blessed as she later married my grandpa and had two beautiful children: one girl and one boy – she would have described them as the perfect family. A God honoring family, who grew to serve the Lord and exemplify that same love that she demonstrated.

And those summer vacations at Grandma and Grandpa’s. Fishing with grandpa and coming home to fry the fog legs with grandma. Well… maybe grandpa did the frying, but the baking – those pumpkin pies – that was all grandma.

Unfortunately grandma had to bookend her life on a bit of a down note, as she had to persevere though the last 14 years alone, as grandpa had gone on to be with the Lord. Grandma had to move to a nursing home and her short-term memory started to fail – but she persevered – many would have quit.

I returned home from Bulgaria to see my grandma a few days before she passed. She had recently fallen and was in the hospital. When I first visited, mom asked grandma who I was? After a few dazed blinks – her eyes lit up and a smile came to her face as she said “It’s Marc!”

We chatted just a bit and I went to kiss her on the head and I said “Goodbye grandma, I love you.” She looked right at me and said “I love you too!” Those were the last words I heard my grandmother say – how blessed am I!