An amazing night...

Yesterday I did a whole lot of driving, but it was so worth it!  I was at Doug and Susie's house with Grace yesterday during the day.  Last evening was Gwen's kids Co-op Christmas Program.  So I drove from the far west side of the Chicago area to the far north side - even beyond Gwen's house!  It was an interesting two hour plus drive on roads that I seldom drive.  Thankfully, I made it to the church in time to see the entire performance.  These two sweet girls did a wonderful job! 

Lia was in a Musical Theater production called "My King and Me".  She was incredibly nervous about this performance because she had a lead role that included singing solos.  I had helped her practice on Monday, so I knew that she had done a good job memorizing all of her lines.  The play was a cute adaptation of the Christmas story, centered on the people of Bethlehem building an amusement park for the expected crowd of people coming for the census.  The songs in this production were great.  Some were tradition carols modified a bit.  But the main song was amazing.  The director had taught the kids hand motions to this song that was basically telling the Gospel message.  This grandma has to confess that I got very teary during that song.  It is really powerful to see these kids sharing Jesus.  I couldn't help but think of the promise for Lia's destiny.... that she would be a voice to her generation to share the love of Jesus.  

Ellie and Lia were both in their Spanish classes performance of some modern Christmas songs in Spanish.  This is a beginning  class but both girls knew these songs well.  Such a fun way for the kids to express some of their new Spanish while singing meaningful songs about the birth of Jesus.  So proud of Ellie for not only walking onto the stage, but also for singing!  Quite an accomplishment for this sweet girl who would rather not be in the spotlight!

It's a grandmother's role to pray for her grandchildren.  Seeing the children that Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna have in their "school" (they are home schooled - so this Co-op is their school) gives me reason to be incredibly thankful.  I could not imagine a better place for them to meet new people and make friends, than this Co-op.  There are no clear "age" divisions, since most classes are multi- age.  As a matter of fact, this Spanish class that Lia and Ellie attend is mostly junior high age kids.  The Musical included kids from 1st through 6th Grade.   There is a "one room school house" feel to the co-op.  Actually one of Ellie's other classroom teachers is in the High School Spanish class (that performed with them). Some high school students are actually teachers!  Talk about great mentors.  It was wonderful to see some special needs children included in the performances.  How could you ask for anything more for these kids?  Home schooling and this co-op are certainly an answer to my prayers.

Even though the program was quite long (and I was pretty tired from my long day - and I knew I had an hour and a half drive home) I was thankful that they did a short Christmas Carol sing along.  I really don't have any place to sing these familiar songs, so it was quite a treat.  The very last song that we sang was "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.  Really a nice end to the day.  

I know that I often say this, but I am so, so thankful for the chance to spend time seeing my grandchildren.  It is great to see them on just a regular day, but it is also wonderful to be able to attend these special events.  I love this verse from The Passion Translation, Proverbs 17:6a

Grandparents have the crowning glory of life: Grandchildren!

Today was certainly one of those "crowning glory" moments for me!

Jesus, thank you for being able to experience Christmas through the songs of children.  Holy Spirit, help us all to be aware of the children that we encounter on daily basis - in our neighborhood, our communities, our churches - as well as in our families.  Remind us to enter into this busy holiday season with the awe and wonder of children. Jesus, thank you for answered prayers.  

Unexpected gift that brings a sweet memory

On Wednesday at my small group, one of my dear friends brought this lovely plant for my birthday! She has been missing our group for a variety of reasons and we were all so delighted to have her back in our midst!  And then, she came bearing special gifts for all of us with birthdays in the last month.  She would have no way of knowing just how special this little African Violet plant was to me, and that made it all the more special.  Here's why.

Ever since my birthday I have been thinking about my mom.  She has come to mind so often and I have been really missing her.  I guess there is no one who shares your birthday with you MORE than your mom.  It is interesting that I feel this on my own children's birthdays.  As a mom you always stop and remember that special time right as your kids are born.  The very first flowers I ever remember were the African Violets that sat on our kitchen window sill.  My mom usually had at least one but usually there were more than one!  I remember that she had a real knack for starting new plants by taking a cutting and rooting it in water.  What a great little "reminder" of mom this plant was for me!  I am usually not very successful in keeping plants alive, so we will see if I do a better job with this one than all the others I have tried to raise.  Isn't it great how just when you need it, these little reminders show up.  For me, it is knowing that Jesus knows about me missing mom!

In all that thinking about my mom, I am feeling so blessed that Gwen is close enough that I get to see her all the time.  I love this picture of the three of us.... me, my mom and Gwen.

In the last week I have thinking about what an amazing woman Gwen has become.  She has a full and busy life that makes me wonder where her energy comes from!  Raising four young children, a part time job teaching 16 four year olds in a preschool, home schooling her oldest three, teaching and mentoring junior high and high school youth at her church, leading a women's Bible Study, AND training to run a half marathon in a couple of weeks!  This list does not even touch on the many more ways that she supports and blesses her many friends and family members.  I suppose that her life is not that much different from many young working moms.  But she manages this all while keeping her focus on what is really important.  For Gwen and Tim, their relationship to Jesus is central for their family.  And it shows in so many ways.  

My mom just loved to listen to Gwen fill her in on all that was happening in her life.  One of her greatest joys was listening to Gwen sing and/or play her flute.  I was thinking about this last week as I listened to Lia practicing piano!  And I just love it when my "girls" (Lia and Ellie) facetime with me and I get to hear all about what is happening in their world.  Yes, it is one of those times when I feel the "generational tree" shifting and I am suddenly on the very top.  But what a wonderful example my mom was for me.   And now I really "get it".  I am beginning to understand just how important this grandparenting job is.   I recently saw this video (click the link), made for Grandparent's day called -Grandparents are important.  It is a sweet video that highlights a lot of things that I and many of my friends are experiencing.  I am so thankful that passing on my Christian heritage is part of my role as Grandma Lyn.  I love that I get to sing some of my very favorite songs and hymns with them, I get to pray with them and listen to their Bible stories.  It is a very special thing and I am very blessed.  

I know that my mom would have loved to watch all of her great grandchildren growing up.  She loved on all of her grandchildren and relished all the time she had with them.  It is so bittersweet to realize that the seasons of our life pass oh so quickly.    I think that is one reason that grandparents really enter into times with their grandchildren.  The reality of a shortness of time is really clear the older that you get.   

But along with that is also the very clear Biblical directive that none of us know the number of our days.  We are all to live as if each day may be our last. That thought can really change what is important.  Suddenly, things don't matter much at all.  Spending time together, loving each other, sharing - that is what really counts.  It is a good reminder that the time I have with my children and my grandchildren is precious and important.  

Yes, I love that this sweet flower brought such good memories to my mind.  I can't think of another time when I have felt so blessed.  It is a good follow up reminder for me, from my blogs in the last few weeks.  Even if I am not sure exactly where my path should be leading or what goal I am supposed to pursue, I know that what I AM doing, the time I am spending with Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna, is meaningful.   That is a great and special gift.

Jesus, thank you for knowing our hearts and bringing exactly what we need to us.  Holy Spirit, keep us all mindful of the important things each day.  Keep our eyes on Jesus and remind us to see each day as a blessing.  Thank you for wonderful flowers and great videos that stir our hearts.  Amen

Reflections from this weekend......on being grandma.

I saw this picture tonight and decided it would be a great picture to use for this blog!  It may not be the best picture - but I just love this very casual shot!  This is Doug getting a ride on his great grandma Baker's leg.  And in the background Gwen is having a fun time with her grandpa.  This was taken in 1983 when Doug was about 18 months old and Gwen was three.  Now - here is why I just love this picture..............

This weekend, during scrapbooking, we do lots of talking.  Talking for hours on many, many subjects.  Today Tim brought the kids to swim in the hotel pool, so I got to see Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna.  As they were leaving, I casually said to Gwen "I don't get to see them enough"!  She really laughed at that!  I am actually so fortunate that I get to see the kids at least once a week.  And I am just so thankful for that!  The gals were all laughing at my comment and the conversation turned to thinking about the future.  I realized that when I was in my 30's and 40's, I really didn't think much about the future.  I don't recall having any dreams or plans regarding what my life might look like when I retired.  So the conversation turned to what these gals (mostly in their 30's) thought about for their future.  Gwen said that she thinks often about being a grandma and just how wonderful that will be.

Boy does she have that one correct!  Being a grandparent is the icing on the cake.  You get all of the good stuff with very little of the plain stuff on the inside.  I love that this picture kind of reflects what it is like to be a grandparent.  It is FUN!  There are always lots of cuddles and hugs and lots of games.  When I look at this picture I am really amazed by Grandma Baker.  She had really bad knees with arthritis pains.  I remember seeing her with a heating pad laid on her knees.  Yet, here she is bouncing that not-so-little Doug on her foot, which I am sure was a strain on her knee.  But look at the smile on her face. It is clearly the joy of being a great grandma that is shown on her face.  And grandpa seems to be having just as much fun as Gwen.  I am sure this was a tickle fest happening.

And here is the follow up picture.  Grandma Baker is bringing Doug up close for a kiss and hug!  And Grandpa and Gwen are connected hand in hand.  We don't have many pictures of Gwen and Doug with their great grandmas.  And we don't have a lot of casual pictures of them with their grandparents either.  I am so blessed to have piles of pictures of Ken and I with our grandchildren.  And I am blessed to be able to preserve those pictures for the future.  

While I love just being with the grandkids, having fun and playing games, the biggest joy for me is praying into their future.  I love looking at each one of them and seeing their strengths and talents.  I love watching them grow into exactly the person that Jesus designed them to be.  And every day I pray for them with specific direction for their future.  I love seeing them learning and growing in new ways each day.  And I love sowing seeds of love and joy and peace into them.  

Yes, I am so thankful that my children got some of this wonderful "grandparent blessing".  And I am so thankful that I have photographic evidence of that.  Frankly I have an overwhelming number of pictures of me with my grandchildren to even begin to choose one for this blog!  But each time I look at those pictures, I remember the joy of passing on the blessing of Jesus to them.  

No matter where you are in life.... you can sow these seeds of blessing into your generations.  If you are young and still have grandparents and/or great grandparents, ask them to pray for you!  Ask for their blessing.  If you are busy parenting right now, ask your own parents to pray for you AND your children.  If you are in that grandparenting stage with me, make it a point to connect with your grandchildren - physically and spiritually.  Pray for them - specific prayers for their today and their tomorrow.  Let's raise up children who are covered in prayer and filled with the joy and love of Jesus!

Jesus, I am reminded of you taking little children onto your lap and blessing them.  Help us all to draw our children and grandchildren into your love.  Holy Spirit, remind us to pray and stand with all parents as they seek to raise their families in your ways.  Amen

Funny where some thoughts take you....

This picture is from 1938.  I can tell the year because the baby that my dad is holding in the center of the picture is my sister Karen, who was born in February of 1938. Yep, that is my mom and dad in the center of the picture.   I was thinking about this picture today because it includes my Grandpa Johnson and Grandma Johnson (on the left of the picture) - my dad's mom and dad.  Also in the picture are my Aunt Mable (my dad's oldest sister) and Uncle George and their son "Junior" (George Richard Roelke, Jr).  This picture came to mind today because I was spending time with Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna.   I can't tell you how often I think about the fact that I never had the chance to know my grandparents.  Grandpa Johnson (in this picture) died in 1945 years before I was born.  Grandma Johnson died in 1958 when I was four years old.  I have a very few sketchy memories of her.... she gave me candy from a jar on the piano and there were always kittens at her house.  That is about all.  I never saw her in the last year of her life so it is not surprising that I don't remember her.  You might remember that my mom's mother died when mom was only 2 years old.  And her aunt (who was a "fill in" mom) died when I was 3 and her dad died when I was 4.  So by the time I have any real memories, my grandparents where gone.   I think that is why it is so important for me to make memories with my grandchildren.

Today I had the chance to play games with both Ellie and Zeke.  In both cases these were games of their own creation.  Ellie was using game pieces from an actual game but had made up her own "game" with very different rules.  We played several times and then Zeke actually joined us for a couple of games.   It was so fun to watch Ellie be creative and come up with a very different way to play a game than it was designed.  Later Zeke and I were sitting on the floor, rolling a ball back and forth in the Loft.  Zeke had all kinds of "rules" for this game.  If the ball hit our legs, it was out.  It we missed the spot we were aiming for, we lost.  He even had several hand signs (the "t" for what he called PAUSE rather than time out - which made me smile!)  It was a simple, silly game that was so much fun for this grandma.   Earlier, Anna was sitting on my lap and wanted to watch videos on my phone.  She loves to sing and always chooses videos of her favorites.  Today was Itsy, Bitsy Spider, Old Macdonald, and Wheels on the bus!   Anna might be to little to remember these times, but it was a special cuddle time for this grandma.

Remember I blogged about thinking on good things?  Well these memory making times with my grandchildren are some of those good things.  And, when I look at the picture above, rather than just see my Grandparents that I never got to really know, I can reflect on my Aunt Masey and Uncle George, who were such a big part of my growing up years.  I have sooooo many great memories of their farm, of their cabin (right next door to ours at Lake Maud) and just spending time with them.  Uncle George was a farmer and I loved going to see the animals.  There were always pigs and chickens and sheep.  As a matter of fact, the sheep were often very close to the house.  I remember Uncle George letting me sit on his lap and drive the tractor when I was really little.  Their house was wonderful.  There was a sun porch that had stacks and stacks of very old magazines that I loved to look through.  I spent hours looking at them.  And Aunt Masey was an amazing cook.  I remember the big farm kitchen filled with wonderful smells and good things to eat.  In their retirement they moved to a trailer on a nearby lake.  They loved to play cards and I learned many card games at their table.  One of my favorite memories of them is that they came to Chicago to visit my mom and dad in 1975.  And while they didn't make it here for my wedding, they were able to visit my home the next year.  I have great memories of them sitting with Ken and I over dinner, laughing and sharing stories about when I was young.  In so many ways, they represented "grandparents" to me.  Uncle George passed away before Gwen and Doug were born, but both of my kids remember visiting with Aunt Mable in her retirement home.  Doug will never forget her "talking" watch that told her the time after she lost most of her eye sight.  So even though I missed out on my grandparents, it was very special to have this relationship that filled that missing piece for me.

I think I especially appreciated my time with the kids today because it was a less than wonderful start to my day when our refrigerator went out!  It is one of those things that there is NEVER a good time to have happen.  You don't really think about the age of your appliances, until something like this starts your day.  Our fridge was 14 years old.  After trying to find a repair person with no luck, I decided to start the search for a new fridge.  You would think this would be pretty easy, wouldn't you?  Well that is not the case if.... A.  You want a refrigerator that is IN STOCK that can be delivered rather quickly (think tomorrow) and B. You have a small space for your refrigerator that does NOT fit a side by side, or a french door unit or any of the newest "bells and whistles" kinds that are out there.  I ended up having really NO CHOICE!  There was one in stock, that fit.  And it is almost exactly like the one it is replacing.  So, new fridge purchased and being delivered tomorrow.

It made think again about living in the United States.  Really all you have to do is shop for something like this and you realize what a spoiled and entitled people we are.  The sales person told me that the current appliance life span is so much shorter now because people just replace everything when something better comes along rather than when it wears out.  So the manufacturers don't make them last like they used to.  In the 1960's you could expect a refrigerator to last for 25 years or more!  And most repairs were minor.  But the one I just bought will most likely only be good for 10 years.  We seem to be a disposable society.  So tonight I am feeling blessed by my very small house that will only fit a basic model fridge that will replace the one that is totally worn out.  And I am thankful for the wake up call reminding me about what is really important.  Spending time making memories with my grandchildren  is much more important than THINGS!

Jesus, thank you for helping me keep my focus on a crazy, busy day.  Thank you for laughs and hugs and giggles that make my heart happy.  Holy Spirit, help us all to appreciate what we have.  Keep our eyes on what is really important.  Thank you for memories and for providing an aunt and uncle for me when my grandparents were gone!   Amen

Grandma and Grandpa Johnson......how much I don't know

I've been reflecting on my recent post about my Uncle George and Aunt Mable.  I mentioned in that post that they sort of acted like grandparents for me.  So this got me thinking about my grandparents - my dad's mother and father.  I know that I have blogged a bit about them as I have talked about my dad and his life.  But the combination of thinking about my grandchildren and how fortunate they are to have BOTH sets of grandparents as well as great grandparents that they will remember, has brought me to this blog post. 

I don't know when this picture of my grandparents was taken, but I can be sure it was before 1946.  My grandfather died in 1946.  Since I wasn't born until 1954, obviously, I never knew him.  My grandmother died in 1958 when I was 3 1/2 years old.  I have two memories of her.  First, she had a candy jar that was always filled with candy, and she would always give me candy!  She also had cats and they usually had kittens.  And she would always let me hold the kittens.  So anything that I know about my grandparents beyond these two silly things, I learned from other people.  I sure wish that I had something written by them. 

This is what I heard from my mother about her father-in-law (my grandfather).  He didn't speak any English.  Apparently, although he had been in the country since the late 1880's, he never learned to speak English.  (And I have a problem with some people who don't speak English today?  I guess things never change).  He also only read the "Swedish Newspaper" whatever that was.  He thought farming was the only "valuable" career.  Apparently he did NOT like my mother because she couldn't speak Swedish OR Norwegian OR German (her heritage).  He thought it was terrible that she only knew English.   And he did NOT approve of my father serving in the Navy during WWII.  I remember being told that he had decided to come to America to avoid being drafted into the Swedish army during a conflict with Norway.  He couldn't believe that HIS son would be DRAFTED in the United States!  My mother also told me that she believed that he stayed alive until my dad got home after WWII, even though he was so sick.   I actually less about my grandmother.  I do know that DID speak English, although not well.  She liked to listen to the radio, especially some program in the early 50's about Swedish people.  She had one sister that lived in Nebraska.  And she had other relatives in Sweden that she wrote to.  Okay, that's about all I can come up with about her.  Isn't that sad?  My sister Karen spent a far amount of time with her.  I wish I had asked her more about my grandparents.  Sadly, she is also dead. 

I think that is one reason that I am so intent on sharing stories and spending time with my grandchildren.  I "get it" when it comes to the importance of keeping these memories and sharing them with others.  So, I have some cousins that are reading this who might be able to share a few more facts with me! 

Tonight I am thankful to really get to know my grandchildren.  I am also thankful that my children got to know their grandparents (although Doug doesn't remember my dad who died when he was 3).  And I am thankful that Gwen and Tim took their kids to visit with their great grandpa. 

Jesus, thank you for extended family.  Thank you for reminding me to appreciate exactly what I have.  Holy Spirit, help us all to stop and be thankful for our families.  Help us to put aside any thing that might be keeping us from celebrating and being close with our family.   Jesus, your love is amazing!  Thank you for loving us so much.  Amen

Crossing something off of my "must do" list... and memories

So, unfortunately, we did not have such a great end to our long awaited vacation.  First we canceled our fun in Pennsylvania (weather - rain, rain, storms, more storms and floods - not a great time to go to Cooks Forest).  So we proceeded to our destination along Lake Erie, anxious for quiet relaxing in a beach chair watching the lake.  Upon our arrival at the hotel it was obvious that if we had stayed at this hotel, it would NOT be quiet OR relaxing.  The entire hotel was under renovation!  The pool was closed, the outdoor deck was closed.  And our special Lake view room was right by where they were jackhammering concrete on the pool deck.  Needless to say, our decision to NOT stay at this hotel was a no brainer.  Then we discovered that because of the season, there were no rooms available anywhere near to the lake.  We made the decision to proceed home.  We were not thrilled to add 5 more hours to our drive today, but we were happy to get home.  Don't know what we are doing for the next couple of days, but it does not include going to work! 

Today I was able to mark something off of one of my "must do" lists.  I visited the state of New York.  That's right.  I had never been in New York state until today.  I still have 13 states to visit and Ken has 7.  But the list is getting shorter!  As we entered the United States into New York, it felt great.  When we saw a sign for Jamestown New York, Ken and I began to talk about his favorite grandparents, Les and Versal Baker.  Grandpa Baker died in 1976 and Grandma Baker died years later.  Their final resting place is in Jamestown. 


 



This picture is from our wedding in 1974.  This was the one and only visit I ever had with Grandpa Baker.  I am so thankful, however, for the many visits I had with Grandma Baker in the years after Grandpa died. 

I especially love this picture of Ken and I with Grandma Baker from 1976.  I think it is special to me since this was the only visit Grandma Baker ever made to our house.  I wrote to Grandma often (yes, this was the time of "snail mail" and I looked forward to her letters.  I have many of her favorite recipes, written in her own handwriting, that I received enclosed in some of those letters.  She truly loved Ken and believed that he could accomplish whatever he set his mind to.  Yes, she was a special lady and I know that she had a large influence on Ken.

One of the best things thing about her frequent visits, was that she got to meet and enjoy Gwen and Doug.  I remember that she told me over and over, how thankful she was that Ken and I had such a wonderful family.  Gwen remembers her, but Doug does not.  I believe that this was her last visit and Doug was 18 months old, Gwen was 4. 

 

So, as I sit here, at home, in my favorite spot to blog, I can breath out and relax.  I am sure that there is a very good reason that we are home right now.  I may never know exactly what that reason is, but I know that there was some purpose in our trip being cut short.  And I am especially thankful for the time that Ken and I had today to talk and remember his special grandparents.  Really there is nothing better than times like this.  I can't help but reflect on my own grandchildren when we are thinking about the influence that a grandma had!  It is an encouragement to me to be purposeful in my times with Lia, Ellie, Zeke and Anna. 

I had to include this picture of Grandma Baker and Gwen.  How can you NOT just love this picture.  I can feel the love when I look at this picture. 

 

I think that is one of the things I am learning these days.  There is a purpose in ALL things.  Whether we are on vacation or at home, traveling or in at work, Jesus has a plan that will come to pass.  Sometimes we can't see exactly what the big picture is, but there IS a big picture.  So I know that we may have avoided an accident or other unfortunate event, because our plans changed. Or possibly it is something or someone that we will encounter here at home that is part of the plan.  And the route we took home had a purpose.  If only to remind Ken and I to talk about Grandma and Grandpa Baker it was worth it.

 

Jesus, thank you for orchestrating our vacation.  Holy Spirit, continue to give us grace to roll with the changes, and to remember to think about the big picture.   Thank you for reminding us to celebrate our past generations and giving us a nudge to pay it forward into our future generations.   Jesus, thank you for your love and care in all things! And thank you for vacations away and especially thank you for home.  Amen



Blast from the past..... like circa 1900

Today I was thinking about all of the important people in my life that I have never met.  That is because they all died before I was born.  I think this came off of my post yesterday missing my loved one!  I am certainly not the only person who experienced this.  But I got to thinking about my grandparents.  I only had one grandfather alive until I was just shy of 3 years old.  I really don't remember him at all.  And I had one grandmother who died when I was 3 1/2 years old.  I never really knew any of my grandparents.  I admit that I have always been fascinated by my mothers mom.  As I have said before, she died when my mom was only 2 years old.  Whenever I felt bad about not having any grandparents, my mom would remind me that she never knew her mother.  That was a sobering statement.  The picture above is of my grandmother (my mothers mom) and her mother and sisters and possibly an aunt.  My grandmother, Nora Larson Toensing is second from the left. I believe that the others are from the left, Louise, then Nora, then Effie leaning on Ellen.  The two women in the front are the unknowns.  I believe one of these is my great grandmother, Martha Rockne Larson.  I believe that this picture was taken around 1900.  Don't you just love the clothes?  And the hair styles?  And all of the other "stuff" in the picture?  I sure wish that I could have had a complete explanation of this picture.  Like, when and where was this taken?  Was it for a special occasion? 

And this is why I love scrapbooking.  Even if very few people look at my completed albums now, someday way off in the distant future, maybe a great great grandchild will be thankful that I not only put the pictures on the pages, but I also wrote about them. 

For tonight, I am looking very closely at this picture.  And I am imagining these very important people.  And I am missing them.  It is different than the missing I talked about yesterday.  But none the less, it is missing them.  Tonight I am also thinking about my soon to be born new little granddaughter.  I can't wait to hold and cuddle her and also share her picture on this blog! 

Isn't it wonderful that God's plan includes this wonderful answer to this sense of loss and missing we feel for our grandparents and great grandparents by providing our OWN children and grandchildren?  What a blessing that is!

Jesus, thank you for this picture, for all that you are showing me.  Holy Spirit it is amazing how you bring different pictures into my mind.  Help us all to see and embrace the generations in our family.  Thank you for pictures, preservation, scanning and scrapbooking!  Amen

A time to remember......

You know how sometimes the strangest things make you remember something from the past - and usually there is no reason for the connection?  Well, I had one of those moments today.  I was really enjoying spending time with my little, almost 20 month old nanny boy.  We had been at the public library for story time.  The story time was wonderful.  Michael really entered into the event - sitting quietly on my lap for the stories, standing and singing and clapping with the songs, he followed all the directions.  It was just an amazing time.  I really love having the chance to spend time seeing the world through his eyes.  Shortly after returning home from the library, it was nap time.  I don't know what it was about this morning, but this picture just popped into my mind....

 

This picture was taken in the summer of 1983.  Doug and Gwen are sitting on the lap of "Great Grandma Baker" (Ken's maternal grandmother).   I think that there is something about Michael that reminded me of Doug in this picture. Doug was about 18 months old and Gwen was about 4 1/2.  I know that over and over on this blog I have talked about how important pictures are for me.  This is one of those "important" pictures. Grandma Baker was a very special person in Ken's life.  As a matter of fact, I remember when we were first dating, that Ken talked over and over about his Grandma.  For me this was really something.  Remember that I barely have any real memories of my grandparents.  And when I listened to Ken talk about Grandma Baker, it was like all the stories I had read about grandparents.  Grandma was there to be with Ken when his mom was in the hospital.  Often Ken would be sent to spend summers with his grandparents, who lived in Florida.  And it was Grandma Baker's recipes that Ken always asked me to make. (And that is still true today - Chicken Paprikash and Filled Raisin Cookies).  I remember when Ken's Grandpa Baker died in 1976, he expressed concern that Grandma would be around to see our kids.  I loved that she got to see and get to know both Gwen and Doug.  She said over and over how much Doug reminded her of Kenny.  Although this was only the second time she had ever been with Gwen and the first time with Doug, they both loved her.  And, once again, it is the generational shift that is on my mind. 

 

I am so thankful that I got to have Grandma Baker in my life.   However, tonight I am also sort of sad.  Grandma Baker did not have any religious background at all.  She never went to church.  Her family never went to church.  Apparently when her mother had come from Protestant Ireland, they were escaping from the pressure of religion and religious conflict.  And they walked away from the church.  And there was a very real void in her life.  When Grandpa died, I remember that it was very dark and cold and sad for her.  She did not have the promise and the assurance of eternal life. For all the great things that she did for her family, she did not leave a spiritual legacy.    All of this affirms to me, how important it is that I am able to share my faith with my children and grandchildren.  I am so thankful that Jesus is a part of my life and I have been able to pass on a strong spiritual heritage. 

 

Jesus, thank you for reminding me of special people and special times in our lives.  But Jesus, thank you for also reminding me of what is really important to pass on to our children and grandchildren.  Holy Spirit, bless all those grandparents and parents reading this blog.  Draw them into a deeper relationship with Jesus and strengthen their resolve to leave a wonderful spiritual legacy.  Jesus, thank you for Michael!  Pour out your blessings on him and his entire family.   Amen 

 

 

 



Becoming like a little child....

Humor me, once again, as I talk about my upcoming birthday.  This week I have been thinking so much about my mom.  I know that it seems odd that she would be on my mind since she has been gone for 2 1/2 years.  But, I guess around your birthday, it is hard to not think about your mother!  I know that I posted a picture of me, just born, with my mom.  That picture was taken in the hospital - long before they were taking pictures of newborns.  Apparently the local paper in the small town we lived in decided to take these pictures.  Most people are not so fortunate to have a picture like this from 1954.  My mom always liked that picture.  I didn't realize, until I was much older, that part of the reason that picture was so special to her was because she didn't have a picture of her with HER mother.  But I digress........ 

 

This is what I have been thinking about this week..... The photo above.  I realized that my mom was exactly the age I am now at the time of my wedding.  As a matter of fact, she had just celebrated her 59th birthday 3 days before my wedding.   So I have been looking at the photo and thinking about how much older I look than she did.  I have also been thinking about that generational shift thing.  I absolutely adore being a grandma.  It is really such a wonderful part of life.  You get to experience the joy and wonder of little children without the sleepless nights and the toddler tantrums.  My grand kids have filled my life with so much happiness and I feel so blessed to have them.  The odd thing is that I was always upset that my mom and dad were "Grandma Nona and Grandpa Harry" for almost as long as I can remember.  I have very clear memories of hanging over the edge of a baby basket looking at my new niece Amy.   And I did not want my mom to be a Grandma!  She was my MOM!  Isn't that silly?  This is especially silly since my mom loved her role as Grandma Nona.  She had a "Grandma bracelet" that was one of her most prized possessions.  I remember when my sister Karen gave her that bracelet for Christmas the year my niece was born.  She wore that bracelet all the time. 

 

The last Christmas gift that she gave to her grandchildren was to return to each of them, their piece of this bracelet.  This was such an important thing to her that she wanted to give it back to them.

 

My mom never felt old.  She was always saying that she wasn't that old.  I remember her baking cookies to take around her apartment to the "old people" - when she was over 90!  I was so blessed to live most of my life with her as a grandma, as well as my mom.  I learned about being a grandma from one of the best. 

 

Isn't it wonderful how Yahweh's plan was always for us to be in families?  I just marvel at the wonder of this great plan and the continuity of the generations.  Jesus knew that it would be important for us to understand the shifting as our places change in the family tree.  I believe that grandchildren provide a special link for grandparents back to that wonderful "child-like" faith.  Let's face it.  Life is not always wonderful when you are in your later years.  There are financial concerns, health concerns, fears of the future, worries about where to live and even, when or if you should retire.  I think Jesus knew that it would be good for us to have grandchildren around so that we could experience life again, through their eyes.  I am convinced that when Jesus told his disciples that they had to become as little children to enter the kingdom, he was talking about those things.  He knew that his disciples were concerned about their daily tasks.   They worried about how to feed the people following them around, and they worried for Jesus.  So, he restated part of the master plan of his father.  Become like children. 

 

So, tonight on the eve of my birthday, I am going to celebrate my children and grandchildren.  And thank Jesus for the gift they are to me.  So that I can be reminded that I need to listen and learn and live in that childlike faith and trust.  And not fret or worry about anything - including my age. 

 

Jesus, thank you for reminding me that your plan is for us to enjoy each stage of our life and to live everyday for you and your Kingdom.  Help all of us to be able to celebrate your life in us, no matter what age we are!  Thank you for my mom and the wonderful mom and grandma and great grandma that she was.  What a blessing to be able to learn so much from her example.  Jesus, let me be an example like that for my kids and grand kids and for future generations.  Thank you for reminding me and everyone reading this blog, to become like little children.  Amen