Grandma Vivie

Well I certainly didn't mean for it to have been 6 weeks before I blogged again but well it is.
The day after my last post my Grandma Vivie went home to be with Jesus. We were all expecting it, she had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a year ago. Her four children took turns EVERY single night spending the night with her and caring for her and my grandpa for an entire year. Talk about your children rise up and call you blessed--her children rose up and blessed!!!
My little Grandma really was a walking miracle because she lived way longer than any doctor thought that she would. In fact for more than 10 days, hospice kept telling my dad and his sisters that it would be 24-48 hours. Finally on January 6th, the hospice nurse told my sweet little grandpa that he should tell her good-bye and let her know it was okay to go. So that afternoon he did. Can not imagine what that must have been like to tell the love of your life good-bye after 70 years!
I am thankful that I got to tell my grandma good-bye and to thank her for being faithful--because a thousand generations of our family will be blessed because she chose to love God and live for Him "...showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments." Exodus 20:6
Although we were expecting it, and even though I thought I was ready; I was not ready to let this lady who influenced much of my life go.
My grandma was an only child. But boy did she make up for the lack of relatives when she married my grandpa--the third of four boys!!
When Grandma died, she had 4 kids, 14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Not to mention all of their spouses. Isn't that amazing!!
I had the awesome privilege of growing up in the country right next door to my grandparents.
One of the things that amazed me most about my grandma is that each grandchild had their own special memories with grandma--that were ongoing. Her grandchildren, at the time of her death, ranged from 20-50 years old! The youngest, Andrew was one of the grandkids to speak at her funeral and he mentioned that my grandma never missed one of his birthdays. Which may not seem like a big deal but a couple of those birthdays were in Virginia and at least 7 of them were in Singapore!!
I have a ton of great memories of my grandma--we both loved antiques. The first antique I bought I called my grandma up (from a payphone mind you!!) and asked her if it was a good deal---she said yes, so I bought a pie safe. We got the famous Grandma Vivie's Hot Spice Tea recipe when were were antiquing in Greenwood, Missouri--in 1985. She served it every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas until last year. It really is delicious, but that isn't why she served it, it was a memory--that's why! I could go on and on about barbies, doublemint gum, The King is Coming, Hello Dolly, Silver Dollar City, etc etc. But the crazy thing is that every grandchild--all 14 had special memories with this lady. How on earth did she have the time??? I guess she made the time. Wow--I want to be like that. To MAKE the time for those who are special to me.
So I have been missing my grandma. The greatest thing about my grandma is that she chose to follow Jesus. She got saved as a little girl but really it was as a young adult that she began to LIVE for Him.
I am so thankful for a godly heritage from this sweet lady, an example of loving and living the Word of God and a heritage of taking time for family.