A Life Worth Living

A Life Worth Living- Spending Grandma’s Legacy

In the early morning hours of Saturday, June 21, 2008 my grandmother peacefully passed from this life into the loving arms of her Lord. Her passing has left a deep void in my life. For me this void signifies an ending of an era, an ending of a relationship and perhaps most significantly, an ending of a human prayer supporter. My grandmother lived an incredible life. Her adventures started in pre-WWII South Dakota, took her to Oregon, allowed her to travel to Alaska and Greece and many places in-between.

It is significant to note that at Grandma’s funeral service all 8 of her grandchildren and all 18 of her great-grandchildren were present. Why, in this present age of the spread-out nature of family, were all of her “grandies” able to make it? I believe it is because of the woman Grandma was. Many of the “grandies” and their spouses spoke during the service about Grandma’s loving nature. Many spoke about her ability to listen in a non-judgmental manner and to love in spite of the things confided to her. Grandma’s active faith was also spoken of. She put her beliefs into practice. She spoke them to her family. She lived out Jesus in her everyday life.

Though her passing is sad and heart wrenching, I rejoice in the lessons learned and I endeavor to now spend those lessons. One such lesson I desire to spend is “The hostess with the mostest” lesson. Grandma’s front door didn’t bare anyone from entering at anytime. She didn’t need to make a date to have friends over they just stopped by. Her table always boasted tasty treats and wonderful tea. Her conversation uplifted and encouraged. And, she didn’t worry about the state of her house or yard she put her efforts and time into the personal relationships. I will endeavor to live this lesson out.

Specific, daily prayer is the second lesson Grandma lived out. Over the last 7 years of phone calls Grandma always ended our conversation stating that she prayed for my husband, children and myself by name each day. Knowing that I had a faithful prayer warrior, a daily prayer warrior helped me through times of grief, confusion, joy and triumph. I learned that it is important to others to pray for them by name. I desire to live out her prayer lesson by keeping friends and family names on my lips in prayer throughout the day.

Finally, Grandma loved regardless of behaviors that didn’t meet her expectations; a quality that seems impossible to achieve. It is natural for each person to have an ideal in their mind about the people in their life. When I look at my kids, I have their ideal lifestyle already forming in my mind. What happens when, not if, they don’t live up to my ideal for them? Some people may give one or two chances, while others give no chances for a person to change. Grandma saw the heart and not the behavior. Yes, I know that she grieved over her “grandies” choices, but she never stopped loving us or giving us another chance. And, she never stopped speaking Biblical truth into our lives. I have a life-long lesson to live out as I remember my Grandma’s love without conditions.

Death is an unwelcome intrusion into our lives. Even when death is expected and perhaps even desired, it is still an intrusion. However, it is also a time to reflect. Though a person is physically gone from the earth, their memory will live on. It is only in death that we can truly begin to reflect on and live out the memory of the one we’ve lost. As I think of my Grandma, I cherish the memory of her love, her heart and her faith. I pray that I may live a life that is worthy of having my whole family come to remember me no matter how spread out they may be.