Memories of my grandma

My grandma Deloris died today. She is my mom's mom.

Let me take a few minutes to tell you a little bit about my grandma. Everyone has different memories of their loved ones. I am sure my sister, cousins, aunts, and uncles have their own memories...but here are few.

I remember visiting my grandma's jewelry and art gallery in the Old Market in Omaha. She was always trying new business ventures. Her main specialty was being a portrait artist. She was really good at it.

I would also dream of the day that I would get my ears pierced so I could get freebie earrings from her.

I remember this was the location where I had my first and probably only store bought cake for my birthday. It was decorated with beautiful flowers and had my name written on it.

I remember getting the news at church from my dad that this gallery that her and my grandpa spent years of work into, burned down.

I remember the crazy drives around town to run errands or visit my aunt Nan in Irvington. My mom should not have allowed me to drive with her. What on earth was she thinking? Some of the scariest times I have had in the car was with my grandma. She yelled constantly at my grandpa while she was driving...."Dick" (that was his name) she would scream at the top of her lungs. The last memory I had of them together on one of our crazy drives was my grandpa spilling coffee all over. Who would have known you couldn't set coffee on the dash?

My sister and our grandma

I remember her visiting us and bringing in several bags of groceries, with food I could barely recognize. Liver patte was her favorite. I will always cherish those times where she made Christmas cookies galore.

I remember her moving to Branson and the cute little jewelry store she had down the road from Silver Dollar City. She made quiet a few friends in the area and really enjoyed it there. I remember the hummingbirds visiting us at her shop and the "famous" Jubilee singers visiting.

I remember her talking about moving to the town of Pierce City, Missouri. I always just thought to myself...sure grandma...whatever. She always had big dreams. Well sure enough next thing you know her and my grandpa bought a two story fixer upper building in the historic little town.

I remember vacationing in Pierce City with my family. We would go on several day trips to Oklahoma, Branson, and Springfield, Missouri. We would always ask how far away something was...and she would just respond....it was just down the road. I knew better...that always meant an hour or two. She always had us take the short cut to places...some of the most windiest roads...she had no fear of driving around the sharp bends in the Ozarks.

She took us to the spot outside of Monet, Missouri...the spot where my grandpa and her were abducted by aliens.

She introduced me to the very special place, Jolly Mill, just a few minutes away from her home...where I would later get married at...even though she no longer lived there when I did get married. It will always hold a very special place in my heart.

Our last visit before her stroke was my most memorable. Maybe because it was my last "real" time before she changed....she had a Bible. She was actually reading. Taking notes. She also took us to her Bible church and her friends were all believers. We could see that her life had changed. This was the last time we had with her before we got the call that she had suffered a really bad stroke. That was in 2001.

They don't know how long she had been lying there. Someone walking on the street outside of her building heard her faint cries for help. When we got there the doctors didn't have much hope for her. They pretty much gave up on her. My mom and I drove down there every weekend that we could. We transfered her up to Douglas County Health Center as soon as there was a bed space. She had her ups and downs at Douglas county. She loved playing BINGO and winning stuffed animals for my kiddos. She loved when we visited. She loved when my mom brought her little treats.

For a time she was also getting back into drawing. She sketched a wedding photo for Sean and I. I treasure this.

Now the time comes where we cherish the memories that we had with her. We will miss her, but it was her time to go. We prayed for peace and healing. The praying for her is now over. Nothing further can be done for her. We can't pray for her salvation. That was something she already did. She believed that Jesus Christ died for her sins. That by grace she was saved, through faith---it was a gift from God. It isn't through works. Her salvation comes through faith. Not hope. Not the feeling of...I am pretty good. Her time on earth is now over.

One day I will see her again. It isn't here on earth though.

Don't think that maybe tomorrow I will change my life. Don't think that maybe tomorrow I will start believing. You do not know how many breathes you have left.

Ephesians 2:8-9. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast.

Ecclesiastes 7:2. It is better to go to the house of mourning, than go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

John 14:1-3. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; Trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have not told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you and will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

I stole these pics off of facebook...thank you if I stole them from you. My mom has all of our family photos.

 

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