Happy Grandparents Day

For the better part of my years, I have not had grandparents. But I do have to feel glad that for twelve of my years, I got to live next door to my grandpa.

He was a very gentle & quiet man. He never said much but had a sweet spirit about him. And he was very patient with us obnoxious grandkids.

I remember the night he had his heart attack. My mom rushed over and soon called the ambulance. I will never forget when I stepped into the garage and saw the swirling lights through the garage door's windows.

That was 21 years ago & I still get the nervous, sick in the pit of your stomach feeling.

He always offered me things like REAL licorice bits, "cakes" of gum, saltines spread with potted meat and those cheap little cookies that fit down on your finger like a ring (he kept those in a glass cookie jar).

One morning, when I was in kindergarten, I woke up to him in our livingroom. I must have looked confused, because he proceeded to explain to me that my school had burned down. I remember not believing him... that's every school kid's dream! But he was telling the truth & I got to stay with him that day.

He let my 'outside dog' sleep in his livingroom.

He didn't get mad when I threw apples from his tree onto his roof.

He looked surprised, but didn't get too upset when my cousin & I barged in & said we were having a picnic in his 'utility room.'

That's patience.

When his wife died, he didn't send his two young daughters, five & three, to be raised by someone else...like many men in that era would have. He got their hair cut short & did his best.

He sat in the pew behind us at church. Every Sunday.

He never did anything to hurt anyone.

Those are the memories I have. And on my list of people who are no longer with us, whom I'd like to see, he ranks very, very high.

My kids are just as lucky.

They have grandparents, each with their own offerings, who love them so much, Gabe & Flynn can do no wrong.
My kids will be blessed with so many memories, their minds will hold our parents far longer than life will.

My prayer is many more years for Gabe & Flynn to know them. Many days to spend with them. And an eternity in heaven with them, after we leave this earth.

I see you all now through a different light. A light that sheds love into a heart that already loved you all so much.

Happy Grandparents Day.