Remembering Grandma Georgie

If you knew my grandma Georgie, you would probably agree she was one of the sweetest people you'd ever met.  Kind and talkative, with a gentle demeanor, my grandma always had a story to tell, or something to talk about.  Whether it was about one of her grandchildren, the neighbors up the street, or one of her sheltie dogs, she would speak cheerfully with a smile on her face.

My grandma was a very important person in my life as a young child.  Along with her daughter, my Aunt Kathy, she did daycare for us kids: my cousin, my brother, my sister, and myself.  With four kids under the age of six, I'm sure it wasn't always the easiest task,  but many of my earliest memories are filled with fun, warmth, happiness and love from those days.  We went for walks (or rides in the double stroller!) to the neighborhood grocery store, Kowalskis, and rode on the little carousel outside the store.   We went to the sticker shop, and picked out our favorite stickers from the rolls and rolls stickers hanging on the wall.  We stopped at the coffee shop, for a bite of a bagel or muffin.  We played games and baked cookies.  Remembering those early days, even vague memories and feelings, still brings a smile to my face.

When I think of my grandma Georgie, I will always remember her excited laugh and smile in response to my latest news.  I think of her wearing her white polo shirt, the one with the bright blue and red sailboat print.  I will always remember her soft hug, her cheerful demeanor, her ability to find joy in each day.  And in that way the thread of my grandma's life, intertwined with mine since the beginning, will continue to shine brightly amongst the many threads that weave together to form the fabric of my life.

I am going to share a prayer that I read at my grandma's funeral this past spring.  It was starred in her devotional, which belonged to her since she was 18 years old.  This devotional was a gift given to me by my Grandpa and my Aunt, and I felt very blessed to have received it.  

FOR THE COMMON TASK

Dear Christ, help me to take the common things of life and make them beautiful.  Help me to do this today. Let me not wait until tomorrow, or next week, or next summer for my joy; help me to find it today in the common task, in accustomed places, with the comrades of my home or market place.

 But I cannot do it alone.  Dear Christ, I cannot do it alone.  Stay Thou near by.  Thou alone canst glorify the beautiful drudgery of life.  Thou alone canst turn valleys into mountaintops.  In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures morning, noon and night.  Spirit of Jesus, help me to be a good steward of Thy presence all the day.  Amen.  

 Grandma Georgie and Grandpa John in 2007