Sunday, February 18, 2007

Grandma's Thoughts to Ponder

No, I haven't recently become a grandma. I still have about 15 years (hope to God) before that happens.
My mom sent us a package... well, three packages actually, but one was for me and two were for the kids. In my package my mom sent a folder with little clippings from my grandma. My grandma passed away on April 14, 2006. She was 82 years old and had battled Parkinson's disease for about 10 years. My grandma gave me the strong faith in God that I have today. She inspired me to live in His works like she did.
So, in the clippings and snippets of this and that there are things from the newspaper that she found interesting and clipped out, things from cards people have sent her that touched her, things from newsletters she received in the mail, prayer cards she received from church and funerals, and some things written in her hand.
Anything that is written in her hand is something that she heard and liked and wrote down. For now, I'll focus on those. Some made me cry, some made me laugh, but all of them made me feel her presence. These are messages from her that she kept to be passed on someday. Now I get to pass them on.
Even in death my grandma has a strong spirit.
Now I give you Grandma's Thoughts to Ponder, Part One:
"Remember there is someone who thinks of you often, and smiles"

"Remember that a successful marriage depends on two things, Finding the right person, and Being the right person"

"Be Mature enough to realize that you still have much to learn. Be wise enough to know Respect is something that you earn. Be patient with your parents, and youself and others, too. Be the best that you can be, and life will give its best to you."

"Be not afraid on eagle wings, Always remember me as loving you" ~this one is signed at the end with her name, Florence. It brought me to tears as it is her final message to us. She was such a loving grandmother that I cannot ever think of her in another way. Hugs, kisses, kindness, gentleness. And always loving. To see her name signed on this piece of paper is so heartwarming to me. She is with me. And she is with all of her children and grandchildren.

more to come.....

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

She really was a wonderful and caring woman, wasn't she... and I'm so glad she was able to pass on much of that to you! It's a great gift to be able to hold something from one we've loved and be able to feel their presence~ I'm glad your mom sent you a package full of such sweet memories:)

Anonymous said...

What a neat thing to get in the mail... I am glad you could feel close to her again by reading some of those... they are very inspiring!

Anonymous said...

You made me cry. I miss her so much. Love, Mom