Grams

Our family suffered a great loss this year with the passing of my paternal grandmother.  My sweet Grams lost her battle to cancer on June 12th. The diagnosis, the progression and her loss was all so quick. We miss her so much.

My grandmother, Alma, was the most hospitable person 'I’ve ever met. No matter who you were, you were always welcome in her home. She was able to throw together a meal to feed any number of unexpected guests and did so with a humble and gracious heart.

I’ll never forget the last time she welcomed me into her home. It was May 25th, my 30th birthday. I had flown to Tampa that morning to see her. There she was sitting at her breakfast table, surrounded by her children. I was thrilled to see her. We shared meals and swapped stories. She wanted to know all about James and what he was up to.

When she got tired we laid with her in bed. And when the pain got worse we prayed scripture over her. She called out to the Lord and clung to Him tightly. To calm her we sang hymns. Just when I thought she was drifting off to sleep, she would join us in song.

When the pain had subsided she wanted us to all go to the piano to sing. My aunt played and we sang some more. Then Grams got up to play herself. Having just seen her so sick with pain, this was truly a gift from God that she had the strength. She sat down at the piano and began to play. And sing. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

And then it was time for me to go. I held her tight and told her I loved her. She told me she wanted me to have her piano, so my family could learn to play. Best birthday gift ever.

Looking back now, the day seemed to never end. I saw and felt the full spectrum of what Grams was going through. I’ll always be grateful for this day with her.

I wish she could hear James talking and see him running, but I know she’s with us everyday.