I don’t normally write out my words as I prepare to speak. Instead I choose to make point form notes of my main thoughts, and then wing it! This could be why I have a tendency to be long winded.
However today I’ve chosen to write out the things I wish to share, not because I don’t want to say too much or talk too long, I want to make sure I say all the things that are on my heart, and I don’t want to forget a thing. At times like this I wish I were a poet, a hymnist, or maybe just a guy who paid a little more attention in english class.
I’ve chosen an acrostic for the word “Grandma” to tell you how much you mean to me. I pray simple words, from a simple man can capture the grander of a truly amazing woman.
I think we should always spell Grandma with a capitol “G”. So my capitol “G” is for the word godly. Godly may bring different things to different people’s mind. To me it means a person who displays in their choices, their character, and their life the very nature of God. It’s a glimpse, or a picture of who God is.
I’ll never forget the first time you met my Madisyn. She was only a few days old. I had got a call you were sick and at the hospital and I wanted so badly for you to meet my new little girl. We loaded everyone up into the truck and headed over to New Market. I wish I had taken a picture of the love in your eyes. It was so special for me when you announced to the nurse “this is my sixth great grandchild, but my first great granddaughter.” Thank you for all the love you showed to Cody, Spencer, David, Liam, Ethan, and Madisyn.
Grandma when I was with you I always felt accepted, loved, and protected. These are but a few traits of God. I want you to know your life and your character help shape the person I am, and for this I thank you, and I praise God for the gift you are.
“R” is for repair. Now I know most people would associate the word “repair” to Grandpa, but you can’t be overlooked! Repair reminds me of the woman who tended my wounds after an unsuccessful attempt to swing from the branches of the willow tree while riding my red bike in your driveway.
I remember the wet tea bags on my itchy swollen eyes. I think we went through this ritual on almost all the camping trips we took together.
Repair is also about all the smelly salves you had stashed away. I remember most the salve in the skinny white tube, do you remember? That salve was the one you used to stop my many nose bleeds. Of course we could have avoided that salve if I had just learned to stop picking my nose.
Every young lady becomes somewhat of a nurse the second she becomes a mother. But to be a master repairwoman, or a Grandmother as we call them, takes years of experience, gentleness and practice. Thank you for being there to offer up your skills and advice to keep me running in tip top shape.
“A” is for tough. Sorry, I was never very good at english. Actually “A” is for arthritis. Please don’t misunderstand me, arthritis never defined who you are, but it allowed the people around you to see your strength, resolve, will, and grit. It allowed me to see how tough you really are.
You see Grandma I don’t remember a time when you weren’t fighting with arthritis. I’m sure there were times when you felt down and discouraged, yet you never showed it to me. The truth is, life is hard. Everyone faces adversity, but few people face it as bravely as you.
I hope you know as you struggled with this disease you taught me how to live, and live well. You didn’t complain, you kept a good attitude, you always figured out a way to do things most people take for granted, and most importantly you never gave up.
Your stubbornness to adversity, and the fight inside you are things legends are made of. I hope you know you’re a hero to me. I’ll be forever grateful for the example you are. Thank you for teaching me what it means to be tough.
“N” is for Nobleton. Where’s that you ask? Well it’s kind of outside of Toronto, almost straight north of the airport, on highway 27.
Do you remember all the flowers I use to pick for you when I was there? Today I’ve learned to call those little yellow menaces weeds. It didn’t matter to you, you would accept my gift and put them in a glass with a little bit of water. It wouldn’t be unusual to return to Nobleton to see the same dandelions shriveled and dead in the same glass.
“When you come to our house in the winter you be sure to wear your boots!” You must have told me this once a year, if not more. You would say “there’s always more snow in Nobleton then there is in Bramalea.”
There was always a seemingly bottomless supply of cookies and candy in Nobleton. I know you weren’t there on Sunday, but I took Ethan into the kitchen and told him “there’s always cookies in “G” Grandma’s kitchen.”
Sometimes Mom and Dad would go away and leave Mark and I at your house. Staying at your house was great. There seemed to be no end to adventure waiting to be found in Nobleton. Your back yard seemed so huge when I was a boy.
There was no set bed time when I stayed at your house. I remember staying up way later then I would at home, and just when I figured you would send me to bed out would come the popcorn maker. I remember siting in the kitchen Grandpa in his chair, you siting in yours, Mark sitting across from Grandpa, and I across from you. We would talk and enjoy midnight snacks... at least that’s how I remember it.
Each breakfast took on the same routine. I don’t remember the name of the cereal we had when I was at your house. Was it called muffets? They were little tiny pucks of shredded wheat. The part I liked the best was popping out the center, then crushing them in my hand. You or Grandpa would always offer me some boiling water, but I would say “no thanks. Milk is good enough for me”.
Do you remember the time Mark accidently let some peanut butter fall from his knife into the brown sugar? Of course I scoped it up and dropped it in my bowl of muffets. Ever since then I’ve only put white sugar in my cereal, I still don’t like brown sugar.
As I got older your house became the frequent pit stop. On the way to Wonderland we had to stop in to see you, sometimes even using your spare bed as our hotel. Driving over to Fenlon, Nobleton was practically on the way. Heading home from Toronto, it was just as easy to head up to Nobleton and then go across to home. The coffee may not be the same as Tim Hortons, but the company was way better. I don’t think I ever called, and I don’t think you ever minded.
I’ll always cherish the memories of my time with you and Grandpa in Nobleton. The memories you and I shared together I’ll pass onto Ethan and Madisyn. Thank you for those precious memories.
“D” is for door. Jesus said in scripture “behold I stand at the door and knock.” This could never be said of your house Grandma. The first few times I brought Kelly to your house I would tell her, “don’t knock, just go in”
I guess an unlocked door with an enter at will policy may seem like a small thing to some people, but to me it was huge, it was special. It’s a symbol of the hospitality that only a Grandma can give. A symbol of welcome, and somehow it made me always feel like I was expected.
When we arrived the TV would be shut off, or the radio turned down, but not too low if the Jays were playing. It seemed no matter what was going on you made time for your uninvited guests.
The second part of that same scripture applies to you perfectly “I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” You know, I don’t think I was ever though your house without an offer for lunch or supper.
I know the last little while it was harder and harder for you to be the host you wanted to be. We all understand. Kelly and I would often arrive when we knew you wouldn’t have to worry about putting on a meal for us. I hope you understand it’s not because we didn’t want to be with you, we just didn’t want to add to your work load.
I’m so glad you had an open door policy. Thank you for making me feel welcomed, and special. Thank you for making me feel wanted.
I could choose many words for the letter “M”, but I think the “M” word which best describes you is marriage.
Grandma, it’s hard for I guy my age to find a good example of marriage. But when I look at Warn and Barb, Gail and Terry, and Mom and Dad, I realize they are living a legacy left by you and Grandpa. Your children’s love and loyalty to their spouse is a testament to the example they saw lived out before them in you and Grandpa. It was so crucial for you and Grandpa to be that example for them so in turn, they could be the same to us.
Whether it was said with words or said with action, together you and Grandpa taught Warn, Mom, and Gail that the most important gift a parent can give a child is the gift of a stable loving home. Not only did they learn and apply this lesson, they passed it onto us so we could have the responsibility and the privilege of continuing the legacy of love forged by you and Grandpa.
And Grandma, know this; one day my children, and God willing my grandchildren, will say the same thing about Kelly and I, and for that I owe you and Grandpa my deepest gratitude. Thank you.
The last “A” is for attentiveness. You always listened to what I had to say. I think you remembered my stories better than I did.
Anybody can talk, but there are only a few people who really listen. I’ll always remember talking on the couch, and the kitchen table. But maybe most of all I’ll remember sitting and talking at the camper table while Grandpa drove us to our latest camping destination.
Your attentiveness was proof of the love and patience you had for me. Thank you for living out your love.
Dear Grandma, today we say good bye, and I have to be honest, I’m not as tough as you are, and this really hurts. It hurts because I know this isn’t the way God intended life to be. However, saying good bye is part of living in this fallen, sinful world. So today we let you go, but I can promise you we will miss you dearly.
Grandma, today as we celebrate a truly remarkable woman I want you to know this; my hope, and my joy is resting in the love, grace, and faithfulness of my Lord Jesus Christ and His promises. At this moment I remember these scriptures “Let not your hearts be troubled; in my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also... I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” . Finally from the book of Revelation “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away... behold, I make all things new”.
I love you Grandma.
Jonathan
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