Lessons I learned from my Grandmothers
Hello and welcome!
July is a particular month to me because it is a month that marks the births of some extraordinary people in my life. The first is my precious eldest son who will turn three very soon. The others are of both my maternal and paternal grandmothers to which I am/was very close. I am very blessed to still have one of my grandmothers today and to have had the other up until I was a young adult. One of their birthdays is at the very beginning of July and the other at the very end, my son's is closer to the middle of the month and I just find him to be a very lucky boy to be sandwiched in between two wonderful people.
In honor of this month and the women it reminds me of, I'd like to share with you some things that I've learned over the course of my life from my two incredible grandmothers.
1. How to Serve People
One of the very first things anyone who knew my grandmas would think of is how they serve people. Both of these women in my life are natural caretakers. My paternal grandmother actually never (to my knowledge) had a job outside of the home. She had five boys and was constantly taking care of either a sick child, spouse, or parent. Even as she got sick and was in the nursing home, she watched out for her roommate there. My maternal grandmother always worked outside the home and still does but from the time she was a child, she was taking care of other people and continues to do so to this day.
One of the things we are called as Christian people is to serve as Jesus did. Jesus was always out serving people, healing people, and talking with people. While we cannot offer to heal, we can offer to help in service in whatever way possible. Whether that means bringing a home-cooked meal to someone or even simply sending a card in the mail, we can do serve. That's what my grandmothers taught me to do. They always worked hard and put others first. My grandmother just the other day was talking about how bad she had felt that she hadn't taken a meal to someone who was struggling physically (despite going through her own troubles at the moment). My other grandmother was an avid card sender. She remembered cards for so many occasions and I cherish the handwritten cards she has sent to me over the years. It's the little things that really reach people.
2. How to Work Hard
The next important lesson both my grandmothers taught me was how to work hard, despite what life throws at you. Being idle just wasn't something they did. Yes, they had down time, especially as they've gotten older but they always worked hard based on what their bodies allowed them to do. My maternal grandmother specifically is one of the hardest working people I've ever known. Even now as she doesn't have a full-time job, she's always working around her house and outside in her flowers and garden. In the small part-time job she has now, she goes above and beyond her expectations. Both my grandmothers have always been like this. Working hard is just part of them. Something deeply rooted in them both that even when they didn't feel good, they did what Elisabeth Elliot famously talked about, "the next thing". They worked hard to keep their families comfortable, food on the table, and clothes on their backs. When I think of their hardworking ability, it gives me motivation when I may be feeling lazy as so often happens for my generation of people.
3. How to be Content
Another lesson my grandmothers taught me was how to be content in life. Both of my grandmothers lived through very different yet very troubled times in their lives. From dealing with abuse and even losing spouses and children, between the two of them, they've seen some of the most difficult parts of life the world has to offer. But yet, they were content. There was never this big want of "I have to go on some vacation to be able to relax and enjoy my time". A lot of times those things weren't possible. Instead, it was going for walks at the creek, sitting on the porch, spending time in the garden, reading a good book, calling family to catch up, and enjoying a sweet treat. These types of things were their versions of relaxation. Most people wouldn't really view these things as a real vacation. They didn't wait on life to allow a true stereotypical vacation. They simply enjoyed the daily things and didn't wait to do them. They did them and they enjoyed them and I do think it is a reason they could be content in life even in the midst of stress and hardship.
4. How to Love Reading
To go along with things my grandmothers did that helped them relax is one thing specifically my paternal grandmother did and that was read. When I tell you she's my biggest reading motivation, I'm not kidding. I couldn't even begin to tell you how many books she read throughout her lifetime. I'm not sure how far back her love of reading goes but I'm sure it just had to be lifelong. I grew up watching her read all the time. She had probably read every book (in the section she liked) at our local library countless times. I will cherish the memories of going to her house and her saying to me "here, I've got a book I think you'll like." I have a very yellowed copy of a Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys super mystery that she gave me that had included a bookmark she had used. While I know that it was just some bookmark it looked like she got free from the library, I'll always keep it. It's worn and I know she used it. As I mentioned before, she didn't really have the opportunity to go on big trips or adventures but I know she went on many adventures through her reading. Through the tragedies of her life, reading was there. And she showed me how to love it and use it too. If I could draw or paint, I would put my memory of her sitting in her recliner with a book in hand on canvas. It's one of my favorite childhood memories.
5. How to Trust God
The last lesson I want to mention here that my grandmothers taught me is by far the most important. That is how to trust God. Both my grandmothers are/were avid followers of Christ. They came from different backgrounds in their faith (one Pentecostal, one Baptist) but that didn't matter. They both served and trusted God in everything they did. When I look at them and remember the stories of their lives, the hardships, and tragedies they have walked through, it amazes me sometimes how they moved forward. But I know one thing for certain and that is the reason they moved forward was because of God. For one of my grandmas, to be able to forgive and move on after some of the treatment she received can only be explained by the work of God in her life. For the other, the willpower to even keep breathing after the losses she suffered can only be explained by her faith in God.
And, yes, of course, my grandmothers both talked to me about God and faith but they really taught me how to trust God with the way they lived. They didn't just say "you should do this" it was the daily actions they performed. It was their service, their work, and the contentment they had that showed me really what it was like to be a follower of Christ.
I know that everyone's grandma is special, but I really think mine set the bar high. I'm so thankful for these strong women in my life who have given me so much help and inspiration as I grow older. Their teachings won't be forgotten and they are lessons I try to implement into the lives of my own children.
Happy July, everyone, and two very happy birthdays to both of my incredible grandmothers.
Until next time.
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