My flight was mostly empty. Everyone could have had their own row. I realized why I had gotten such a good deal on the flight. I shared a few smiles with the passengers close enough to me then I sat in my row alone and in relative quiet.
As we began to pull out and take off the sun was setting on the horizon. “How fitting,” I thought.
It was a beautiful orange and red falling over Kansas City.
I couldn't help but let a couple tears fall down my face in the silent moment.
I am heading to Tennessee to see my grandma for, what more than likely will be, the last time. I plan to kiss her check and cry with my family as we comfort each other and celebrate the woman that she is and the legacy she is leaving behind her.
This hit us all out of left field. Grandma is active and vibrant. She loves shopping and finding bargain deals, cooking, baking and hosting warm fellowship. She is fantastic at all she does.
She also has a passion for children and teaching them the Truth of God's word. She taught my Sunday school class when I was 2 and 3. I recall her songs she sang with us as we jumped around doing motions and learning that we were precious in God’s sight. Oh, how I wish time would take me back for a glimpse at her setting me on her knee to sing “the raisin song" as we share a box of raisins... and allow me to really appreciate all she has done for me.
She taught me to do laundry and tried to teach me to do chores more effectively. I tend to rinse dishes so well to put them in the dishwasher that it is hard to tell if they are clean or dirty. I blame grandma for that. Also folding laundry as it comes out of the dryer. This is the only way my clothes get folded before a week passes by while they sit in a basket or on my couch in my bedroom.
Grandma taught me to appreciate a garden. The work that goes into someone’s garden is immense and it takes a devoted person to make the garden flourish.
She taught me to pay attention to the world around me. The hidden treasures you can only find by watching and noticing. Like a bunny burrow hiding under a hedge with baby rabbits sleeping in a nest of fur and fluff, or a bird nesting in the top of a tree. The lonely lady who walked in and sat alone.
Grandma also loved to sing. Her voice may not have been the most beautiful in the world but it didn't matter much to me. I loved hearing her sing as she went about her work or driving in the car. A joyful sound that reached God’s ears as a fragrant incense. I sing while working often. Night shift at the nursing home I would find myself singing as I did rounds or in showers while helping bathe those that could not bathe for themselves. Singing praises even if I could not bluntly share my faith my goal was to have them know I knew what I believed and I was ready to answer questions if they asked me.
Grandma also taught me how to love my husband. My grandma served and loved my grandpa with a steadfast faithfulness. Hard times and good times. Through his ups and downs she was there supporting him and his decisions and working alongside him.
My grandpa is going to be lost for awhile without her. I am sure of that. They were each others perfect half.
Night is falling and a day is ending. The light is fading...darkness is coming for a little while. Praise God I know the Light is coming back to this broken world and will set all things right again!
In my headphones Bart Millard singing:
“My Jesus I love thee. I know thou art mine...My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou. If ever I loved you my Jesus tis now…”
“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus…”
“In the sweet by and by” grandma we will hear you singing again!
