Last night I dreamed I was at some meeting or seminar with my boss and his wife, Cindy. Each morning of this seemingly week-long meeting, my grandmother (who died over a year and a half ago) came to see me, gave me a hug, said some encouraging cheerful words and left. On the last day of the meeting (somehow I knew this in my dream) I realized it was also the last time she was coming to see me. I sat with my boss and his wife at a table, feeling a lump grow in my throat. Cindy asked me, “You’re going to really miss her aren’t you?” I began to cry, not able to hold it back anymore. I awoke and was actually crying a little on my pillow.
I do miss my Grandma. It’s funny how weeks will go by and I won’t think about it much, but then out of the blue a memory of her will surface or an odd, wonderful dream like this one and the pain of her not being there anymore bobs to the surface.
What will my daughters and hopefully grandchildren remember about me someday when I’m gone, not coming to see them anymore?
The first things that pop into my mind when I think of Grandma are her joy for life, her love for Jesus and openness in talking about him to anyone and everyone, her cheerfulness and often humorous enthusiasm, her smile, her loving pet names for us like “dolly”, and her faithful, tenacious love. I knew she was behind me 200% no matter what. She made sure of that.
So it doesn’t surprise me that she’d make a cameo appearance in one of my dreams to remind me how much she loves me. I look forward to the day when I’ll get to hug her again, kiss her soft cheek and see those twinkling Norwegian blue eyes. I won’t have to miss her anymore.
card. “Why no, I don’t” I replied. “Well then, fill this out and take this,” she said as she handed me this tiny card to put on my key chain. “And,” she added, smiling, “since you’re signing up for the card today your drink is free.” Cha-ching! Bonus!
My friend graciously forgave me as we talked this afternoon. I’ve been thinking about it since and remembered that verse in Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” As we walk our path alongside our friends we sometimes clash, sometimes accidentally bang into one another, sometimes get scraped. If we’re following Jesus, He can use these “incidents” to sharpen each of us, to mold us, to perfect us. This type of shaping is bound to hurt – sometimes a little, sometimes a lot – but the end result can be good.
Have you seen Fantasia 2000? I haven’t watched it for a while because we have it on VHS and need a new VHS player. It would be fun to get it on DVD and watch it on a big screen. Disney created animated sequences to interpret some well-known classical music. It’s imaginative and visually stunning at times! The last song/sequence is the very best in my opinion – breathtaking!
I’m so blessed to have both my parents living and that we have an open, loving relationship. It enriches my life and gives me so much support – just knowing they love me and are there for me. I hope I can do the same for them!
Along the Narrow Path 