G-ma

So, I have a terrific Grandmother, or G-ma as Cara H. used to call them. She also gave me the words "rents" (parents) and "sheesh"...but we're not talking about that right now, we're talking about G-ma...stay with me.

(I have no excuse for the frown...very odd)
G-ma's given me so much in life that could easily have been taken for granted. Sayings, stories, correction, lovin'. Ya, the kisses were kinda gross. All G-ma kisses get that way eventually.

She turns 97 this year on Halloween. When it was a little less stressful to spend time with her (currently more difficult for me) I passed the time with her by getting her to tell me stories. I love information (even though I always end up forgetting the details) and soaking up stories of how life worked in the Midwest from the 20's to the 50's is very entertaining to me. People took the train alot. Cars weren't so common for every household. They enjoyed the simpler things.

Grandpa worked for a company that delivered all sorts of goods directly to people's houses. The relationship between customer, retailer, supplier and source for certain goods used to be sooooo different.

Grandmother took the buss alot. She took my brother and me on the bus a bit when we were kids too. That's the only reason I even know what it's like to use our wonderful public transportation. I think the bus experience has changed a bit since then.

She told me how Mom was strictly forbidden to cross the street by herself as a child. One day, G-ma didn't make it to school to pick her up. A truck driver saw mom standing at the corner wanting to cross to walk home. He got out and helped her across the street. Doesn't sound normal these days does it? You wouldn't be caught dead talking to a random kid on the corner as you drive by anymore. Times change. Also, this crossing was relatively close to my current house where mom would now freak out if I went jogging in the evening. Places change.

I also got alot of sayings and tunes from G-ma. "Here come da judge, here come da judge", "Just a dab'll do ya". She had an old song in the back of her head for just about everything, and that included alot of Hymns, which Mom has too. My mind is drawing blank right now for more. Do you have any more Mom?

Why am I rambling on about this stuff to you? Well, you shouldn't bother me with questions like that, but I'll tell you anyway.

G-ma's health has been declining for the last few years, of course. It's gotten pretty rough recently with her mind going alot more. She's been in the hospital many times over the last decade, and usually recovers quite well. Tuesday night she went in again for a possible stroke, but it turned out to be an infection. Lets not get into how those two could be confused... The point is, she's doing much better now. Though it would be nice if the doctors gave her the correct meds.

Mom and Dad are pretty used to it. She kept an eye on G-ma during tests and Dad brought his book. I used to love hospitals. My brother and I goofed around alot while G-pa was in there before dying of a second heart attack almost 15 years ago. Since then, however, it's just become more depressing because of all the hurting people and medical "thingies" all over the place. I'm a people watcher and I was quite distracted (sorry Dad) in the waiting room observing the type of people in there and eavesdropping on conversations.

On the way to the hospital, I heard the song "Everybody want to go to heaven (But nobody want to go now)". A common reflection for sure about the world's desire to live life their way, and hope for a happy ending reward. But even in light of a life lived in Jesus Christ's Lordship, most Christians I know would not look forward to the end of their life, even knowing the glorious eternity that awaits. I think people like G-ma are easily exceptions to this rule. She's had a good long life with family who loved her very much. A husband who's gone on before, and the certain hope of Christ's purchased place for her in heaven. But, it ain't her time yet.

Well, I for one look forward to it as well. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" Philippians 1:21 Some days more than others. Though I've never seen much "death" danger up close, I've been in plenty of situations (in travel and such) where I saw the potential and worried very little about it. Sometimes I caused the potential...like turning the furnace on the first time this year (long story). I guess I should be a little more concerned about blowing myself up when two other guys have lots of stuff in the house :-)