My mother’s father died in his sixties. He didn’t make it to my wedding, but he was a strong influence in my life. He was funny, and he would hug us girls, and give us pennies. We had to pick up the pennies, because he would pour them out on the porch. We would squeal with delight, and pick them up.
My grandmother, on my mother’s side, died of cancer, and this was a hard thing to go through. We had spent many nights over at their home with all our cousins. When she died, we were hit hard with grief. My grandmother was a Christian, and she had about eleven children.
The family was huge when we would have reunions. I remember playing with my cousins, and eating all kinds of good food when we would go once a year to see all the family. Cousins from out of state would come, and we would have a whole day of swimming, and talking to them. Grandma’s death didn’t stop the reunions, but it was hard to go through the grieving for her.
My dad’s parents were from Pennsylvania, and they would visit one time a year. We loved them both, and my aunt would come see us when our grandparents would come for a visit. We had a whole houseful of family at times. We would eat, play outside until dark, and the family would gather to sing, talk, and cook. My aunt played the piano, and mom and I would play a comb. She taught me to get a Kleenex, and put it on a comb. When I hummed over the Kleenex, it would make a sound as long as it was wrapped around a comb. My sisters would sing with me, and we would make a trio for everyone. This was a happy time.
Grandparents have many influences on the children. They are naturally going to hug, and love everyone of their grandchildren. My grandparents were always content, and happy. Grandmother kept a wonderfully, clean home. She would put us children upstairs for the night. We slept on cots, or in our sleeping bags. With the stairs shut, we had to go to sleep, and we always stayed up there. Our cousins would spend the night at their house also, and we had a house full of company for my grandparents.
Grandmother took us to the park, and we would play, and run, and swim. One day she took us, and someone else watched us while she left to go to the doctor. Grandmother developed cancer, and she didn’t live long after she found that she had it. It affected all of us. She was a quiet, wise woman, who was always loving, and entertaining.
Granddaddy remarried a fine woman. We moved away, but we always went to the family reunions. She didn’t take my grandmother’s place in my heart, but this woman was wise, and cheerful. Granddaddy died a few years later. They were gone……..having lived to their sixties.
I can remember good times with both grandparents. I can remember the times we were gathered with our cousins. I haven’t been around as much since I have married. I have been busy on the weekends. My husband is a pastor. We had our son later in life, so he has been like a grandchild would have been.
People have many influences on children as they grow up. Grandparents should show laughter. They should be energetic, and fun loving. My grandfather would come to visit, and if we were no where around, he would come to find us. He would purposely not shave that morning so he could hug us with his beard. I have had red marks on my face many times from his fun loving ways of coming to hug me.
Both grandparents were Christians. Clean homes were their expertise. They managed their homes well, and when I came to see them, everything was spotless. Neighbors came to play with us girls, and we got to know them. Our grandparents were God fearing people, and some time in my life, I know they were praying that I would find Christ. Their joy was contagious. Their goodness was always there.
My grandparents are in heaven now, along with my sister, and several other aunts, uncles, and cousins. I am glad to know that I will see them there. They lived out their Christianity, and both sets of grandparents were loving, quiet, and happy. They had a deep wisdom in the things of the Lord. I believe their strong influence has affected the way I live. I believe my grandparents prayed for us daily, and I am so glad.
Life is short. The comfort is that I will see my loved ones again in heaven. It is a wonderful thing to know the Lord. His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures forever. I believe that God is good, and that He has a wonderful plan for each of our lives. We must find out what the plan is, and then do it.
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