Becky

There are so many memories of you, Grandma, I don’t know where to begin. Of course all of the grandchildren loved bedtime at the lake and your stories. I don’t know I ever heard an entire one through, but they were a highlight of the weekend. And then there were mornings at the lake: the wonderful scrambled eggs which could only be topped by a Tom’s donut. I also remember running back to the fridge in the store room and being the first to grab a coveted Faygo Red Pop. There were never enough of those and to be stuck with a lemon-lime was shame and disgrace, but the holder of the Red Pop was envied. 

Probably my favorite memory of you involved the green boat. I don’t know why Lori and I were there when you and Grandpa put it in, but we were. Grandpa lowered the boat in from the ramp as Lori, you and I climbed in. Much to our dismay, the rope securing the boat to the ramp broke as he launched it, leaving him on shore. He waved to us as we floated into the channel. You looked at us and said, “Well, girls, I guess you’ll have to help me drive this.” I think I was six. Wow! I don’t know if you were humoring us or you really didn’t know, but we proceeded to give you instructions like, “First he pushes that thing down and we go forward and then he pushes it back and we go back…” all the way across the lake. I think he beat us back to the cottage, but we made it without a scratch…on us or the green boat.

No member of any crowd could mistake you as anything other than proud. Your cheers and coaching could be heard at performances, competitions, and contests. If we all had a #1 Fan award to give, Grandma, you would win it every time. You believed we could make foul shots and hit high notes when no one else did and you could coach better than any of the “experts” our schools could find. You weren’t afraid to say so either. 

Your support didn’t end when the competitions ended, though. We all received care packages with individually wrapped cookies and brownies while at college and you babied us again when we came for visits, offering chili or egg salad, whatever you had just “whipped up.” Of course, none of us can mistake your pride in hearing about our latest accomplishment, promotion, raise, position, or project. And we’ve all seen the joy in your eyes at watching our children enjoy your applesauce just as we did when we were their age.  

When I think of you, Grandma, that’s what strikes me most of all: your unconditional love and support for all things yours. It has shown in how you have tirelessly served all of us our entire lives. Consider the words of Proverbs 31 and think of your own life:

Proverbs 31:10-12 and 25-31

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
No doubt your fingers were sore from all of the cross-stitching late into the night, but you have left us all with physical reminders of your love and devotion, selecting the right verse for each life, each adventure, each chapter we enter. There’s nothing I thought you couldn’t or wouldn’t do for me and you always spoke honestly and from your heart. You have used your life to bless and serve your family and we thank you.