Jewells of Thought

Approaching February 6th still remains a solemn day for me. No matter how many years since that year it happened in 2005. Perhaps though for tonight, I will start with last night and the other thing that happened before my few minutes and goodnight words with my boyfriend.

There was a Christmas Party in the Fellowship Hall of Grandma Betty’s church. This is my first although I have heard some stories from Grandma through the years of their Christmas Parties. My Grandparents instilled a powerful example on my families and of course my parents on both sides to be God-fearing and participating members of churches and their communities. This has been a lifelong blessing throughout my family tree and my life for certain.

Only one of my Grandparents still lives. A lesson I have learned more than once since 2005. The need to cherish my loved ones and elders and time with them as much as I can. The memories I have as a child with both sets of my Grandparents taking me to church have never left my mind or my heart. Then after Aunt Carol died this idea kept humming in my head. Grandma Betty sits at church without her family, while she has family within 50 miles of her. While at the same time I was sitting with a lady named Carol; the irony was so overwhelming I had to listen to God’s calling.

The sad thing is it still took me a few months to make the serious change God was putting in my heart. Yet I had to remember both my Grandpas died before allowing us, the family, time to say goodbye to them. I have had more time with my Grandma’s because I have learned how to take advantage of the little moments with them. The Lord allowed me to learn as a teenager and young adult how best to cherish my loved ones before it was too late.

There is nothing more sweet than knowing I am with Grandma on Sunday Mornings when she really was by herself at church since Great Aunt Dorothy died several years ago now. There were times that really bothered me, her going to church alone, but I was somewhere else each time it came to mind. Again I believe timing is truly the key to why it happened. I needed to be at a place that couldn’t be rushed I suppose. Maybe even my relationship factors into this and the idea of a future event God willing. It is definitely something on my mind as Bryan tries to leave California.

I so wish Grandpa Leo, Grandpa Freddy and Grandma Rosie could have met Bryan. I already feel a loss knowing I won’t get to meet his parents. Tomorrow will be different somehow being 20 years later after Papaw Freddy died. Now that Grandma is with him.

Memories still encapsulate me from my childhood, a supervisor from college commented that the outpouring of emotions was testimony that the person was indeed loved. She gave me such peace that afternoon and I have not forgotten that moment. Plus Dr. Pratt one of my professors said he still felt his fathers death years later and pretty much said we mourn those we have lost the rest of our lives. It just hits us at different times through the years more on certain days. He was my New Testament professor and he had to help me with my car battery in my Thunderbird my first month at school. I still remember those little bits of memories.

I used to eat Subway sandwiches Chicken Teriyaki and watch a World War II movie I haven’t done that as often as I did in those early years. There is Bible Study tomorrow night so that could be the distraction I need. Life throws your curve balls the question is what will you do with yours!

Thursday was a curve ball for us… 20 years ago.