My granny passed away May 15, 2008.
The monday before she died, I reflected on what I had learned from her. I reflected on who she was, what did she teach and lead and be an example of. I was fortunate to live with her for the previous nine or so months. I never really knew who my granny was before I moved in. I knew of her, but i didn’t know her. Yo se mi abuela pero mi no conozco ella. I learned in Spanish that you can know of someone, saber, but you can know a person deeper, conocer. So in the nine months I began to know my granny. I asked her about her life and watched her life it out. So on the monday before she passed, not knowing her departure was only days away, I wrote her a letter. i never got to read it to her, but…. I did get to read her the bible and read her a poem about the Maker (God) fashioning us to be the most beautiful creation. That was the last thing I was privileged to read to her. So her is the letter I wrote to her.
Granny,
In your time of need you gave me hope. You gave me 9 months of pleasure while I was fortune to live with you. I loved your gentleness and sweetness. You were always kind and just wanted to look after the jewels God placed in your life. I love your devotion to Jesus. It was inspiring to know a relationship with Jesus can indeed last an entire lifetime. God is faithful and creates us to be faithful to him and others as we grow closer to him.
Even though there were hard times adjusting to living with someone different, I wouldn’t say any moment was regrettable. I have gotten to know beyond the label “Granny.” Before I only knew you as Granny. You were the one who always gave us kisses on holidays and money on our birthdays. You always prayed Jesus over the grandkids. But now, you are still those things, but also much more. You are quiet, proper and reserved: a true lady. You are a treasure box, full of precious jewels and a treasure yourself. I learned a lot from you while living with you. You have compassion on others. You never degrade or put down, for that would not line up with the Word of God. You had moments of despair, but don’t we all. In your battle for your health, it helped me strengthen my faith. For when you were down and out, I would see your need and think of the better time. My spirit would quicken and God’s word would rise up. No, you are healed and whole, made whole by the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead. As I would see you quote scripture, it would quicken me to as well. Scripture is our tool to fight. So by your example, we fought together. And when spirits were low in both of us, your many disciples you trained and poured into over the years came to our rescue. Your years of sowing seed and praying has not gone unanswered. They have just been flourishing all these years waiting for them to be the ripest and most beautiful.
Love,
Allie
(P.S. I wasn’t finished writing about you)
