A Grandmother's Heart

Although I've been a grandmother for ten years now, yesterday brought a new experience and with it a new lesson of the heart. My son-in-law's grandmother passed away this week at age 94. She was a woman of faith and had shared her love with my daughter's family over the years. My grandson Alex is 10 and as the oldest of the grandchildren, he seemed to be the one most aware of the loss. He was trying to be brave but he was very sad since her death.

As I sat with him through the funeral, he listened intently to his Uncle's message of her faith and the blessed hope of heaven. When he shared about her coaxing them to vist and prolonging their exit with just "one more hug" Alex could hold it in no longer and buried his head in my shoulder and cried. The grief overcame him again at the end as we walked to the lobby. Afterwards, I drove him to a friend's house where his sister and brother were staying. Along the way we stopped for a milkshake at McDonalds and I pulled the car into a parking spot and asked him to move to the front seat so we could talk. I explained to him that often when I wanted to talk to his Uncle David I would take him to McDonalds and we would park and talk, explaining that I would carry on the tradition with him :-)

I tried to console him, read Psalm 18, and shared my experience of loss at 10 years old when Shiner died, a friend who lived with my grandparents and was like a grandfather to me. My heart hurt for Alex in a way it never has before. But then, his heart has never hurt quite that badly either. The burden I carried continued throughout the day after leaving him and even today brought tears to my eyes when I paused to think about it. As I prayed for him, I asked the Lord to lift his burden and heal his heart.

The whole experience caught me off guard a bit. I've been very concerned for other reasons over the years, such as health concerns, but this was very different. It was a heartache I felt because he hurt - just like it is with my children. So, now I understand a new facet of grandparenting - that shared pain when hearts are entertwined is unavoidable. And given the nature of life, it isn't a solo event.

The Value of Mentors

I've been blessed over the years to know godly women who are further along in this journey. I've learned so much from them about life and faith. Ellen entered my life in 1982 shortly after the death of my first husband. I attended a Bible Study and only slightly knew the woman who invited me. That evening I met Ellen. She had recently retired and often said that when she went home that night the Lord spoke to her heart that he had given her two daughters (the other "daughter" was a friend who attended with me).

Over the years she taught me much about the Bible, was willing to be transparent about her own struggles and victories, and she held me accountable for my actions and attitudes. But first and foremost she loved me unconditionally and became a mother to me (mine had died suddenly when I was 19). We shared many times together over a cup of tea, spent countless hours on the telephone, and corresponded through snail mail and later email. What a gift she gave me over the years as she prayed for me and for our family.

Last year Ellen's health worsened and she moved out of state to live with her daughter. After a further decline in her health she was transferred to an assisted living/nursing home. We had a long conversation recently and when I commented on her cheerfulness, she said, "I have a life of ease." :-) She will be 89 in June and is still pressing on in her journey.

One of Ellen's favorite quotes is: My blessings are more than my miseries!

Quick and Easy Pita Pizza

Today after church I made one of our favorites for lunch, Pita Pizza. If you are looking for a tasty, quick, healthy, and economical alternative to pizza, these are great and kids love it too!

Heat oven to 350 degrees while preparing pizzas
I use a round stone to cook the pizzas, but a cookie sheet works fine too
Place the pita bottom side up on the pan; I use Aladdin's brand (small pitas 100 calories each)
Spread pizza sauce generously on pitas (1 can makes 4 - 6 pizzas)
Sprinkle pizza seasoning on each pizza (optional)
Add real bacon bits, pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage, onions, or bananna peppers (pizzas are good plain too)
Top with shredded mozarella cheese
Bake for 10 - 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and pizzas are slightly brown
Cut each into 4 slices with a pizza cutter and enjoy!

Launching

Why a blog? I guess I'm a writer at heart with many thoughts brewing inside. Usually I journal, and over the years the boxes full of journals are accumulating! The blog concept is amazing and the possibilities are exciting. At the heart of my intentions is a desire to encourage others by sharing in grace and truth things I've learned and continue to learn along the way.

1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.