On Sandwiches and Skipbo

Today I had lunch and played games with the most beautiful lady I know.  

While I was delivering soup and donut holes this morning I realized that it had been much too long since I had spent time with my Grandma.  So I called her up to see if she had lunch plans.  "Good morning," I said, "How are you?"  And she replied with one of the two sayings I knew she would use: "Well, I sat up and took nourishment this morning."  She followed these words with her infectious laugh and in my mind's eye I could see her twinkling naughty eyes.  Turns out she did much more than that.  She had volunteered at the store, been to the library, and was doing laundry and reading the paper.  

Jake and I finished our deliveries, picked up some sandwiches, and made the drive to Lititz.  Jake wanted his GG to pray over our lunch and she thanked Jesus for the fun surprises He sends and for the food.  We tried to chat between Jake's many words.  I asked about her recent knee surgery, she wanted to see my tattoo.  I told her about a friend who is struggling with her pregnancy and is on bed rest.  Jake wanted to know if GG had any friends.  We talked about my brother in Georgia and how he'd like me to bring some of Grandma's applesauce when I go to visit him.  Jake played with balloons and we played with cards.  It was a delightful way to spend a rainy fall afternoon.  We packed up, told GG we love her, gave her a hug, and left.

And as we drove away I struggled against tears.  Because life is uncertain and I don't know how many more visits I get with Grandma.  We're both getting older everyday.  I am so blessed to have her in my life.  My heart was so full today as I looked across the table and saw my littlest man with the smooth skin of youth beside my beautiful grandma with the soft wrinkly skin that wisdom brings.  How wonderful that my children get to know my grandma.  This woman that has taught me so many things.  She taught me to love onions, chocolate cake with applesauce on top, and Jesus.  She taught me that ice cream is an acceptable breakfast food, it's funny to bring a plastic pile of fake dog poop to someone's house who has an indoor dog, and that you stand by your man even when times are hard.  She taught me sayings like 'on your feet, loose your seat', 'don't do anything I wouldn't do', and 'love you more!'.  She's shown me that having a sense of humor can take you a long way in life.  She's shown me that being on your knees is a beautiful posture.  She's shown me that as long as you are following after Jesus it's ok to break the rules of religion.

On the heels of my sad thoughts of someday being without her in this world came the amazing truth that the separation will be short.  She's been washed in the blood of Jesus and so have I which means we get to spend eternity together.  We might not know each other in a grandmother/granddaughter way but I believe my spirit will recognize hers and that is awesome!

Grandma, you are my hero, I want to be like you when I grow up, and I love you.