Chrabby Meals and Memoirs

Last year, I lost both grandparents on my mom’s side, within about 3 months of each other. In the months since their passing, I have thought often of the sweet memories I have with them. I am humbled and grateful that the Lord gave me grandparents who loved Him so faithfully and demonstrated that in the ways the loved us. They passed their love for the Lord on to multiple generations. My relationship with them was such a formative part of my life, and I know others would say the same.

Below are some reflections on the lessons and memories I have with them.

Live a life of thankfulness, knowing every good thing in life is a gift from our Heavenly Father.

I can still hear my Grandaddy praying, “thank you, Father, for the joy of today.” Due to the health issues he had, he spent his life not expecting to make it to retirement. He saw his days as a gift from the Lord. As he aged, he always talked about how thankful he was that he got to see his grandchildren grow up, and even be in the lives of his great-grandchildren. As his health declined and he became less mobile, he spent much of his time at home in prayer.

I vividly remember one day when we were visiting and my grandmother had to go to the emergency room. Initially, it looked like a very serious and potentially life-threatening issue. When he prayed for dinner that night, while waiting for answers, he thanked God for the wonderful life He had given them. After I went to bed, while he was still waiting for news, I heard him praying out loud, telling God how good He had been to them. He knew God would still be good, whatever the outcome.

He spent their married life expecting her to live long after he did, and she passed away about 3 months before him. It was unexpected and fast. He grieved, but he was thankful in his grief. He grieved with hope. He carried on in the life God had called him to for another few months until he went to sleep one night and woke up in the presence of his Savior.

Thankfulness makes all the difference. My grandfather saw each day as a gift from the Lord. He was a great example of someone who deeply longed to be with his Savior while still loving his life here because he saw each day as a gift. He never expected to make it to 80 years old, to be married almost 60 years, and he was thankful. Living a life of thanksgiving to God makes our joys even sweeter and our trials more bearable.

Marriage can get sweeter with time and hard work, and the hard work is well worth it.

They were married almost 60 years, and they adored each other. They took care of each other, spoke well of one another, and laughed together often. It took hard work. They still had to seek forgiveness and work to communicate. But they had almost 60 years of the most precious relationship the Lord gives us here on this earth, and I know they would both say that it was well worth it.

You’re probably not going to die from eating raw cookie dough.

I have a vivid memory of my grandmother opening up multiple bins of cookie dough on their kitchen table and giving each of us kids each a spoon. She had a serious sweet tooth.

If you find a piece of clothing you like, buy it in every color.

I also have memories of going shopping with my grandmother and her buying the same piece of clothing in multiple colors… and now I find myself doing the same.

Serve your family gently, faithfully, without complaining.

I remember doing dishes often with my grandmother, but this one memory has stuck with me. I think she was in town helping out after my mom had foot surgery. I really wanted to get back to whatever I wanted to do, and she had me wipe down every nook and cranny of that kitchen. I would think we were done, then she’d open the microwave and tell me to wipe it down, then something else. I was probably about thirteen at the time and I really had no interest in the microwave being clean.

Now, I think of that day often when I clean my own home. She served her family in quiet ways and I don’t remember ever hearing her complain.

Don’t take life too seriously. Be sure to have fun.

I remember having so much fun with them. They had plenty they could complain about at times, but I rarely heard it. They were goofy and silly and didn’t take themselves too seriously.

Ice cream from Braum’s can fix a world of problems.

I’ll close with this… There were not a lot of burdens in life that couldn’t be eased with some ice cream from Braum’s.

I’m so grateful for the lessons and laughter my grandparents poured into all of us, and I am grateful for the sure hope that we will see them again.