Legacy

Sometimes even the smallest of things can trigger memories...like this morning, at 4 am, as I was up with a sad little baby and brought a very stinky diaper outside to the garbage. I love the morning, maybe not quite so early, but being up early and breathing in the outside air brought me back....back to trips with Grandma when she woke us up by 4 so we could leave by 5 am. Watching her make egg or tuna salad (with olives-not my favorite), packing the car, praying and hitting the road. Before most people even opened their eyes, we were on our way. Lemon drops in the console, hymns on the radio, the water thermos, restaurant food, homeopathy to cure anything that ailed me...I loved those trips.

How I loved my Grandma...from my earliest memories of growing up at her house, the tablecloths, the basement full of toys, chocolate covered ice cream pops, the organ, watching her whip up batch of candied orange peels or a meal for 20...she was a strong woman.I remember her putting me down for naps and assuring her that I wasn't the least bit tired, but having her wake up me an hour later. I remember her sweet, flowery smell and her soft hands on my face. I also remember her being a little exasperated with me and wondering why...but as I watch my own little sweet girl move around like a tornado, I can fully understand. It's a wonder she didn't tie me to a chair!

I remember cake and ice cream after meeting to celebrate a birthday, the toys she kept in her purse to keep us busy during meeting, the sound of her voice as she sang, and the drawings of little forest creatures she would draw on scraps of paper. Listening to stories about Africa, the screenporch, melon salad and cake with lemon sauce, her sewing room, the flowery soaps in the downstairs bathroom at 321 and the feel of that carpet beneath my feet. If I close my eyes I can almost see the house and Grandma working in the kitchen...

Growing older and moving to Minnesota, we didn't see her as much, but I loved it when she, Grandpa and Aunt Joyce would visit. I remember feeling like a piece of my heart fell out when they left. I remember when Grandpa died and we all went back to Illinois for the funeral...watching Grandma fix Grandpa's hair and weep beside his casket. I don't remember her crying any other time really...

Living in Ohio for a few years during my 20's, I made several trips back to Illinois and always stayed with Grandma. Every time I had called to invite myself she would tell me that I was "as welcome as the sunshine." She made me feel that way. A cozy bed in the basement or the office, waking up to the smell of coffee cake and eggs, evenings of skip-bo amongst the flower garden on her deck and seeing her in her nightgown, her gnarled toes and her long hair braided to her waist as we all headed off to bed for the night. I always felt so happy there. 

A few years ago Grandma felt God was directing her to sell her home and move to Minnesota. Looking back, I can clearly see His hand in the story....despite the moments when she felt as if she doubted that. It was fun to have Grandma at our table for Sunday dinners, holidays and birthday parties again. I am so thankful that God gave us the joy of spending Grandma's last few years with her here. She wasn't a fan of the cold (who is?) but she made her home in a cozy little apartment with Joyce and their pet parakeet and busied about. Growing old was difficult for her...she fought for her health and her freedom. But, less than a year ago, it was necessary for her to move again...this time it was across the parking lot to Guardian Angels nursing home. I don't think she ever made peace with that...it wasn't her style to sit and not be the doer. A woman who had spent her life serving others wasn't happy in a chair, letting other people serve her. 

Evie and I loved our visits to see Grandma. Her face would light up and Evie would cuddle up in her lap...looking her necklace, asking to see her small stuffed kitties or they would just chat about things. They had a sweet bond and  I'm glad that the first 22 months of Evie's life were intertwined with moments in the arms of "Gate Neema." Evie's little smile breathed life into the little room and Grandma would forget all about the cares of the day for a while. And then, it would be time for Grandma to go to lunch. The nurse would wheel Grandma, with Evie perched on her lap, into the lunchroom. She sometimes talked about how nice it would be if we could stay and eat with her. Such good memories...

Last Friday, Evie and I made our final trip to see Grandma at the nursing home. She was so happy and Evie was being a pill. I think Grandma was a little concerned that her pretty things would be broken by my little tornado, but somehow we averted disaster. Evie rode down to lunch on Grandma's lap, she was the envy of all the other residents. Grandma saw the table set for 4 and asked us to stay, I wish we cold have...

This past Tuesday, Grandma was not feeling well and was brought to the hospital. She was very sick and ready to meet her Savior face to face. Joyce and I went to visit on Thursday afternoon to see her, hold her hand, tell her goodbye. Even in her bed, Grandma's face was still just as beautiful, her hair pulled back from her face so softly. Joyce and I held her hands and rubbed her shoulders. We told her we loved her and she told us that she loved us too and then she fell asleep. 

Grandma went home to be with Jesus moments later...peacefully.

Such an ache in my heart and yet such joy to know that she is whole and happy with her Lord. She is gone, but has left for me a legacy of faith and a lifetime of memories.