Reflections of Love

I have been debating wheter or not to write about this, because I know my words will not be adequate.  But, I know that I have to try, because that's what she would have wanted. 

I believe that there is beauty to be found in all things.  But, every once in a while, God creates something greater.  Something that is capable of so much more than you or me.  Something Angelic.  That's exactly what he did the day he breathed the breath of life into my grandmother Polly.  He sent one of His angels to dwell among us.   Her life on Earth may be gone, but her spirit of love will live in the lives of those she touched. 

I'm blessed.  I've spent 31 amazing years being touched by my grandmother's love.  Even though they lived an hour away, my mom made sure we visitied at least every other week.  In the summers, I would basically go live with my grandma and grandpa.  Grandma would make huge pallets on the floor for me and all of my cousins to sleep on when we would visit.  We would always stay up talking until grandpa would come in and holler at us to be quiet!!!  In the morning, we would wake to a breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast.  After breakfast, grandma would head to the sewing room to work on her latest project.  I say projects, but I should say masterpieces.  I've never known anyone with such a creative eye.  She always knew exactly what colors were needed to make the perfect quilt or to paint the perfect picture.  She was an amazing artist.  Lunch was another full course meal.  We ate in the living room while grandma watched her shows.  Then back to sewing or maybe a nap.  At five o'clock, we would eat dinner.  Pop ate at the bar and watched Wheel of Fortune while we all ate at the table and played games.  Upwords was one of her favorites.  She taught me every card game I know.  Spades, Canasta, and she loved to play old Saul...otherwise known Solitaire.  I remember one particular time we were playing dominoes.  She was beating my socks off, which happened quite frequently.  When it came to games, she showed no mercy.  After beating me horribly several games in a row, she gently patted my hand and in her softest voice said, "oh honey, you'll do better next time."  When we got to loud playing games, pop would turn the tv volume waaaay up, to let us know we were too loud, but grandma would just smile and giggle.  She loved being with us, almost as much as we loved being with her.  We used to pick up rocks along the road when we would take walks together.  After my daughter was born, she surprised me by giving me some of the rocks she had saved from our walks.  It was always the littlest things that brought her the most joy.  While doing my student teaching, I lived with my grandparents.  During that time, our relationship began to change.  We went from being just a grandmother and granddaughter, to being great friends. 

As I grew up in her love, I began to learn things about life that must be shown not told.  You know, in the 31 years of my life, I cannot recall one single instance where she complained or spoke harshly of someone.  Not one single time.  She never wasted a minute of life.  She was always busy and faced each day with a smile on her face.  If you ever asked her how she was, she was "fine", even when she wasn't.  One of my favorite pictures of her was coming out of a doctors appointment after learning that her cancer had returned.  Her smile was indescribable.  She was absolutely glowing.  My grandma also led me in a great deal of spiritual growth.  I loved to sit with her in church and rub her hands.  Just like her spirit and her smile, they were incredibly soft.  I loved to listen to her prayers, becuase her words were so beautiful.  She truly knew her heavenly father.  She was always so thankful for what she had.  Even when it was little or difficult.  I know God waited anxiously to hear from her each day. 

Galatians 5:22-23 was written about my grandma.  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."  She exemplified each one of these virtues every moment of her life. Her relationship with God was such that her spirit was one with His.  Her needs were never put above those of anyone else.  She loved endlessly.  She shared Jesus.  Not with her words.  It wasn't necessary.  She shared Jesus by sharing his love with others.  If you met her, then you felt the love of God.  You were changed. 

I am truly blessed.  I am blessed to have been loved by my grandma Polly.  I am blessed with countless memories of her grace and joy.  I am blessed to have beautiful family and a daughter that bears her name.  I was blessed to know her spirit, and I live witht he hope that I will be blessed to meet her again.