Happy Birthday!
Today is grandparent’s day. Today would have been my Grandma’s 104th birthday. Sunday, 9/9/18.
The best gift she gave me, was making sure we were in church. I was the kid that grew up in church (not Sunday school).
She was born a twin. One of nine siblings from Dixon, IL. Her claim to fame late in life, dating the “other” Reagan brother.
She didn’t talk a lot about her past. Just the highlights (I guess). Her parents from Germany, songs they sang like Johnny Schmoker and some Elvis song with German in it.
She could turn chili for two into chili for 20. She was there for me when I was very little. And I chose to be there when I got older (yet missed so much). She was my rescue from the storm(s).
The only thing she shared about life’s trials was her double mastectomy. I remember seeing the scars that went from top all the way down. Two scars on each side. But she didn’t complain about it. Hugging her as she got older was interesting – she replaced foam cups with plastic ones (before Madonna).
I remember she kept my grandfather’s underclothes… long after he passed. I remember the blush she wore. A plastic container that held three colors. She wasn’t one for a lot of makeup.
If I was interested in art…she was… and her stick figure animals will live forever in my memories. Hot chocolate pudding, Easter ham with brown sugar and pineapple… and boxes…
…Boxes, it seemed like my Grandma could never bare to unpack her memories. She wasn’t one for shopping sprees and she believed we should take care of what we had and make it last.
Special things should be kept for ‘special occasions’. She enjoyed broasted chicken and once in a blue moon beer and pretzels.
You would never know that she was ‘poor’. She was a giver and fixer.
Later in life I realized that my memories were that (my memories). We each have our own experiences.
If they only knew the time she spent in devotion. The time she would would pray for her family.
She, like all of us, wanted to be accepted and loved by her children and grandchildren.
I don’t recall her having any friends or social circles…It was all about her family. I don’t recall her having a hobby or “me time”.
One album she wore out… Jim Reeves… Sacred Hymms: Precious Lord, Whispering Hope, In the Garden, Teach me How to Pray.
So, today I am thankful as I realize this is part of my story for HIS GLORY. Happy Birthday Grandma!!!
I was indeed raised by Grace.
Raised by GRACE 