When I Grow Up I Want To Be An Old Woman

I have always had an affinity for the elderly.  It's true.  Two of my best friends, when I was just seven years old, were elderly sisters who lived next door.  They would have been referred to as "spinsters", but to me they were facinating and, quite frankly, often more fun to be with then children my own age! 

In my congregation, if you are eighty years old, or older, you can attend a special tea that is held every few months for the church elders.  If you are lucky enough to be the partner of an elder, you can attend too!  It is a highlight of my ministry.  Hosting the Minister's Tea means setting a table of delectable goodies, planning singing or sharing or games, always having a couple of prizes to give away, and settling in for a very special afternoon of  fellowship with my heroes.  Being in the presence of such wisdom and incredible life stories is a gift beyond joy.  I ask myself, "How did I get to be so fortunate to be able to serve these women and men as their minister?" 

This may all sound a bit saccahrine, I know.  But if you were there......  If you sat at the table and sipped coffee or tea with these elders......   If you listened and watched as they shared the photos of themselves as youngsters.....   If you felt their sense of triumph as they told about turning points in their lives......  If you...  Well, all I can say is, when I grow up I want to be an old woman! 
My Granny is 81 and gorgeous!

I posted just a few days ago about grandparents and how much I miss mine that had passed away.  There is a connection with grandparents and the elders in my congregation that I have tea with.  There's a connection between each of us and those who have gone before us.  I often get so busy with 'life' that I lose sight of all the struggles and sacrifices, and lessons learned and dollars earned by those who have gone before me.  All that those elders who are still with me have done to pave the way.  I owe a debt of gratitude for so much joy in my life today that was paid in part by elders.  I will thank them with words.  I will thank them by holding their memory in my heart.  I will thank them by living my life as best I can and growing into an elder that inspires others as I have been inspired.  I will repay my debt by finding joy, living joyously, and sharing joy with others.

Thank you, my dear elder friends.

For the love of Grandma

Someone I know became a grandparent two weeks ago. Finally! She and her husband had been waiting for the day to come when their only child would have a child of her own and they would become beloved grandparents. I couldn't be happier for them! Yes, I love babies too! But this post is not about babies. It is about grandparents.

It was just a few weeks ago that I was thinking of my own grandparents. I have three who are no longer living, and one who is. I am one of the lucky ones - one of the lucky grandchildren who was provided opportunities to get to know and spend time with my grandparents as I was growing up. They didn't live close by and I didn't spend inordinate amounts of time with them, but the time that we spent together will forever be a part of my life. Even at forty-six years old, I miss my Papa and Grandmother & Grandad terribly. It's been years since they passed away but some days I find myself missing them to the point of tears. I love my Grandma and wish she lived closer. She is an inspiration to me - feisty even as she faces the sunset years of her life.

You see, a grandparent can be a very special person in a child's life. A grandparent's love is unique and precious. The wisdom and guidance that a grandparent can offer doesn't have to come from formal education, traveling the world, or socializing with the elite. My grandparents had little education, never traveled out of the country or very far from home, and lived what most people would consider a simple life.

I have always loved my grandparents, but never fully appreciated them until I became an adult. As an adult I began to understand the loving concern that my Grandmother had for me when she slipped little envelopes containing 'Dear Abby' columns about sex and relationships into my coat pocket. I began to understand the incredible work ethic that my Papa and Grandad had; working themselves to the point of exhaustion day after day in order to provide for their household. I began to understand that being Grandma didn't have to mean rocking in a chair and knitting. It could mean jumping on a trampoline and hanging from the monkey bars!

We are coming into the holiday season and I always have my grandparents in my mind and close to my heart at this time of year. Joy is having grandparents to love and to be loved by. Joy is having beautiful memories of grandparents whose lives help to shape your own. Hug your grandparent, call your grandparent, cherish the memories of your grandparent. Someday you might just have the honor of being a grandparent yourself! Be still my heart!