Her skin is soft and her hair a lovely shade of silver, styled into a saucy short bob. Her laugh fills a room and her spunk gives hint to her determined spirit. Her eyes sparkle when she teases and glisten when she hurts. She is unaware of her loveliness.
She is my one and only grandma.
I was born the month she turned 40. An early present, she might tell you.
But I am the one who was presented with a gift when God placed this specific woman into my life. The love of a grandma is an incalculable gift.
What my grandma taught me about life
Wisdom– This woman has been my go-to source for discernment. If she didn’t know, she wasn’t too proud to admit it. She challenges me to think deeper, see perspectives I missed (or purposely avoided) and not settle for ignorance. Plus, one of the best things she taught me is how to laugh at myself and not always take life so seriously
Story– As a child, Grandma read me stories from her oldest book (click here to see more). Little Orphant Annie was a favorite, and it comforted me that the enthusiasm and predictability of the story never changed. I loved the way she told it. The story of our family history has been preserved through her dedication to genealogy, and she made sure that I knew where we came from. Even the hard parts. I do believe she nurtured that love of story into the writing pursuits I enjoy today
Faith– Her life has not always been easy, but she will tell you about how God showers her with blessings. How rich and fortunate she is. And, she means it. When I have fears? I ask Grandma to pray. Her belief that God answers prayers is deeply foundational in my own confidence. She taught me to have empathy and see others without assuming I knew all about them
Tenacity– This woman is one of THE most stubborn women I’ve known. In a good way! For example, there is no stain on the planet that Grandma won’t tackle. She loves the challenge of figuring out problems, puzzles, etc. Once she sets her mind on something, watch out. For better or worse, her unwavering determination is constant. What an example that has been to me, especially when times get hard (or, if I get stains on something ♥). She never tolerates pity parties and refuses to let me either. What a life lesson that has been
Unconditional love- No matter what I have done, she never placed a barrier between me and her safe harbor. That doesn’t mean she didn’t let me have it if I was wrong. She did. But then, always, it was anchored by the knowledge that her love would not, could not change. She was safe. I knew what to expect with Grandma
How does my grandma inspire me?
Our family lovingly teases me sometimes that me and Grandma are the same; that we see the world through rose-colored glasses.
It is true, to some extent.
We both have a gazillion interests, get easily sidetracked, love hearing people’s stories, and stop a little bit longer to notice any flowers growing in sidewalk cracks.
Grandma taught me to slow down, to celebrate the beauty in life, to appreciate the arts and music. She teaches me to put on those glasses, which sometimes might seem like an ostrich sticking its head in the sand.
Perhaps it is something else.
Perspective.
She would defiantly say, “Why shouldn’t we look on the bright side?”
I’m slowing down the tune, I never liked it fast. You want to get there soon, I want to get there last- “Slow” by Lenoard Cohen
Is she perfect? Of course not. Neither am I. We make each other nuts occasionally. At times, I lose my cool and get snippy. When I apologize? She says, “For what? I hardly noticed”.
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