Proverbs 17-20: Yesterday was an emotional day for me. I am fine, just walked through lots of sweet memories. Yesterday we cleaned out my Granny Lois’ house in Coffeeville Ms. Granny was a chosen grandmother. She and Papa Spearmin her husband were only children and never had children. So early in life they “adopted” my mom as their chosen child. She would go to Coffeeville and spend a couple of weeks each summer with them. They owned the movie theatre there in Coffeeville so to go to Granny’s was a highlight! They treated my mom as their own child in every way.
Fast forward 30 years and when I was in college I went to live with Granny one summer to be the youth minister at the church there. That summer we too laughed and had a great time. The theatre was closed by then, but Granny was open for business in the match making department. She had a grocery store assistant manager she wanted me to meet. Yep, it was Les Hughes and well you know the rest of that story… but our courting was done at Granny’s. I wept yesterday as I stood in the spot where Les called me the first time. It was the same spot months later he would receive a call that his grandfather had died. That house held so many sweet memories. As we parceled out the last of the furniture and collectables my heart was so sad. It wasn’t about the stuff. Though nice, the value is not a great amount. It was the sadness of losing the memories. My sister Dawn Beam too had her years of living with Granny and her match making magic. lol. She has her own stories to tell. All three of us mom, Dawn and I sat there yesterday on the porch weeping our own tears of missing Granny and the many wonderful memories shared there. When I read this verse
Proverbs 17:6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged,
and the glory of children is their fathers.
I could not help thinking even chosen grandchildren can be that crown of the aged. Granny has been gone now for many years, but as long as we had the Coffeeville house it was as though we had a part of her. Any of you who have lost a loved one and been through this, I know you know what I am feeling. I come away just so grateful to have had a Granny who loved us. Who showed her care. Who was much more than stuff and yet the stuff makes me think of happy days and her vibrant spirit. Lord, thank you for Granny and for the many people who have chosen children just like me. Thank you for precious people who make you know you are special and loved.