What I've Learned From Grandma
Grandma just turned 93, so I thought I’d make a list of some things I’ve learned from that woman! She is the sweetest, and I’m blessed to be her granddaughter.
1. Faith is first.
Grandma will almost always end every phone call or goodbye with “God bless you.” She has always had a strong faith in the Lord, and she doesn’t let it waiver. When she sees pain, she brings it to God in prayer. When she rejoices, she praises the Lord for His goodness. She’s a living example of how to put faith first.
2. Your hands are capable of creating beautiful things.
Grandma taught me how to sew and went to sewing workshops with me growing up. I’ve made pillows, quilts, and even a purse with her! She was always patient and kind with me as I learned how to make these beautiful things with my hands, and in a world that can get so caught up in buying the nicest thing or being consumed with all the material items, those times serve as a reminder that we are capable of creating something beautiful ourselves.
3. Laughter is good for the heart.
There’s never been a visit with Grandma where I haven’t heard her let out a chuckle. She reminds me how simple, sweet, and necessary a good laugh is. A smile and a laugh can brighten the world around us.
4. True love requires sacrifice.
My grandpa passed away a couple of years ago, but my Grandma did everything she possibly could to take care of him. I actually interviewed them for a video during my sophomore year of college. At one point, Grandma said, “I wanted to be a nurse, but then I got married.” That's when Grandpa chimed in with a smile and said, “She’s nursing me now.” She never left his side and never wavered with her love.
5. Hospitality is love in action.
You can bet your bottom dollar that when you visit Grandma’s house, she’ll have something to offer you. Whether that be a sandwich or a cookie, she’ll have something. She’ll make sure you’ve got something to drink. She’ll prepare all the fixings. Her hospitality is truly love in action, and she shows that each time.
6. Keep traditions alive.
Every Christmas our family holds hands and sings around the Christmas tree, and each year we also read the Christmas story. My grandma also makes a dessert and hides a nut in it. The winner of the person who finds the nut gets a prize! The places and hosts we’ve had over the years have changed, but those traditions never have. There’s something special about keeping traditions alive. Grandma has made sure that that happens.
7. It’s the little things.
My grandparents never had a ton, but the little they had was enough for them. Grandma still lives out in her old farmhouse and keeps her little handkerchief in her pocket. She has joy in the small things, and makes the most of them. I pray that I do that as well throughout my life.
8. You can’t live with regrets.
When I did that video on my grandparents, I also asked them if they had any regrets or if they wished they could go back in time. My grandma responded with this: “If I could go back in my life, I wouldn’t change anything.” My grandpa promptly agreed and said, “I wouldn’t change nothin’! Nothin’!” I hope we all can say the same.
My grandma is a special woman. And I just hope that someday when I’m 93 I can look back at my life and know that I loved, served, and lived like her.
p.s. It breaks my heart to see the elderly not able to have visitors in these tough times. Help me bring joy to them by simply writing them a kind message here. It does not cost a thing to submit! We’ll send these messages into them so they can share smiles and love in this tough time <3
p.p.s. Below is the video of my grandparents I made a couple years ago.