Yesterday, a little reminder came in the mail. We received our monthly Reader’s Digest. For the entire 20 years of our marriage, we’ve never purchased one issue. Mamaw made it her gift to us. We all love reading it and over the years have shared stories from the pages that touched us or made us laugh. It’s a family favorite!
What would we do when she was gone? We’d have to make a decision. Order our own subscription or stop reading it? When I pulled it out of the mailbox yesterday….I had a sudden reminder that she was gone. But something she had done for us (out of love) was still blessing us.
{Thank you, Mamaw}
A similar thing happened to me when I lost my own grandmother over 20 years ago. Her death was a complete shock to us all. My grandfather was very ill and in the hospital. She was home doing little things to occupy her time until my aunt would arrive to take her to see him. She paid some bills, wrote out a birthday card for me and put the laundry in the dryer. Then, she went to her chair in front of the window to wait. Moments later my Aunt Marilyn arrived to take her to the hospital. But, she was already gone. I still think about how hard that must have been for my aunt. She could hear the dryer running in the other room. It was clear….she hadn’t been gone long.
It was one of the hardest season’s of my life. My grandmother was wonderful to me. I like to believe…..I was her favorite! If I wasn’t…..she hid it pretty well. She took great care of me and always told me how much she loved me. I know that she was so proud of me (just for being me). I loved everything about her. She was a simple gal! But she made you feel so special.
After I returned home from the funeral…I found her birthday card in the mail. It nearly knocked me down. I was reeling from grief….but this simple, last act of love for me was a treasure. I know that I was one of the last things on her mind. That gave me such hope!
(I miss you, Granny)
I believe that everything happens for a reason. I’m not quite ready to know all those reasons. God strategically arranges things with that in mind. Someday, I’ll be reunited with those I’ve loved and lost. Until then, I’ll keep working on my own legacy.
Legacy by Nichole Nordeman
I don’t mind if you’ve got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who’s who and so-n-so’s that used to be the best
At such’n’such … it wouldn’t matter much
I won’t lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an ‘Atta boy’ or ‘Atta girl’
But in the end I’d like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
I don’t have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It’s an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy
Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, “Well Done” good and faithful one…
