It Doesn't Get Any Sweeter

As you read my blogs, it will become quite clear that I love being a grandmother. Mimi is my grandmother name. Last Friday was one of those times when my heart overflowed with joy and gratitude at being a grandmother.


I was caring for my little grandson, Leighton (5 months old). I was snuggling him close and giving him a bottle. He loves his bottle (an understatement). As he sucked furiously, I starting singing: "Oh how I love Jesus. Oh how I love Jesus. Oh how I love Jesus because He first loved me." He looked in my eyes with complete trust and kept sucking. His beautiful green/brown/with a tinge of blue eyes seemed to be saying: "It doesn't get any better than this, Mimi. Keep snuggling me. Keep feeding me. And keep singing to me." So that's what I did. However I began singing softer and softer, and his eyes got heavier and heavier until he stopped sucking, his little body relaxed completely, and he fell asleep. It doesn't get any sweeter than that.


Would be that every baby could at least once go to sleep in the arms of someone who adored him/her and heard the words: "Oh how I love Jesus" being sung ever so softly and sweetly. It wouldn't get any sweeter than that.

The Memorial Service (Continued)

It took awhile, but I'm back. Hopefully you read my story about attending the memorial service of the husband of a lady I worked with years ago in the Head Start program. Her name is Fay; her husband's name is Bob.



Bob's memorial service was not that different from other memorial services I have attended. However the people who spoke about him spoke things I needed to hear. First there were Bob's nephews and a niece. They shared about Bob's care and concern for the extended family. The memories shared were touching. Then Bob's two sons and one daughter took the platform. The lessons learned from their dad were many and good. They all agreed the best decision their dad ever made was to marry Fay. That brought nods and chuckles from all in attendance. Then several sets of grandchildren (some of the guys sporting "University of Tennessee orange" yarmulkes--Bob was a big UT fan!) spoke about their granddad. I remember two things from their sharing that I don't want to forget:



1. Know the difference between wants and needs.

2. Call your family and tell them you love them.



About Wants and Needs

Bob had taught his grandchildren that it was fine to want things and even to acquire things. But he also taught them when what you want gets in the way of what you need, refrain. So if working longer hours to have an expensive car takes away from your family, don't do it! You need your family; you don't need an expensive car.


About Telling Your Family You Love Them

Bob called his grandchildren every Friday evening to check in on them and tell them he loved them. I don't really know why he called on Friday, but I wonder if it had anything to do with the beginning of the Sabbath? If so, what a wonderful tradition! If not, what a wonderful tradition!