I really should be in bed (what else in new?). But there are times when I realize why I'm up. This is one of them. I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. We found out earlier tonight that our Grandma's boyfriend died. Grandma died a few years ago. Both of them had memory issues as they aged. When we would visit, we would have the same conversation about 3 times in the time we were there....and usually in the same order. It would be kind of frustrating, in a lovable sort of way. They could remember things that happened YEARS ago, but not things that happened just a few hours....or minutes before.
I always thought it was kind of cool that they found love again at their age. Both of them had been married before. It really said something about grandma because men were pretty much a high commodity where she lived. Men could take their pick. (lock that in memory for future reference, boys....hee hee!)
I would sometimes have to guilt our kids into going to visit on Sunday afternoons when there was usually something else they would rather be doing. Sometimes there was other stuff I would rather be doing too. However, when we would get there and the residents would be so excited to see the kids, it was all worth it. We still remember some of the residents and being counted by one lady as we walked by.
I would remind us that the time would come that they would not be here anymore for us to visit....and we would miss that. It did and we do.
After Grandma died, we would still visit him occasionally. He was worried we would forget him. He would tell us stories of the things he'd done. He was in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and the war. He showed us pictures of himself as a young man. Later, he moved. We went to his birthday party. We told him we would get back to see him. We didn't.
Our older generations are a treasure of history and information. Sometimes we get so busy with today that we forget about yesterday.
Hebrews 6:10-12 (NLT) 10 For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. 11 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 12 Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.
I received the following link in an e-mail from my sister (very timely)....and part of the reason I started out in tears. It reminded me of those times I took the time to spend with my grandma that lived with us for years, Jeff's grandma, her boyfriend, etc. It reminds me that the day will come when my ride is nearing the end....and I may be the one wishing someone would come visit.
http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/
Life seems long, love while you can....even if it's while you're forgetting. Our Sundays are not the same. One day they really are gone.
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