Keep On

We always enjoyed each others company over a home cooked meal. I'd fill her in about my schooling, work and friends and she'd remind me when it's going to rain, the birds she saw that morning and how her neighbors need to cut their lawn because "it's ten feet tall and looks like a jungle over there!" On July 31st I stopped in for lunch at the nursing home and we were served fortune cookies with our meal. I traded mine for hers and my message was "seek advice from an octogenarian." This was one of our many lunches together, but little did I know it would be our last.

There are many things this beautiful woman has taught me and no one else could. Her passion for nature was a wondrous blessing that we all enjoyed. Every spring she would shine with excitement as we headed to Menards and loaded up on soil and annuals for the new season, along with 10 pounds of bird seed to feed her little friends. Grandma could answer any question about plants, flowers and birds. I always found it interesting so I'd sit and listen as she'd point out what they were and how to nurture them. She was always content with the simplicity of the birds singing and admiring the beauty of the gardens she planted. Never have I ever met a woman who so deeply loved God's creations.

Grandma was a great story teller (ok, we all know she liked to exaggerate some details to make it seem more interesting.) Her childhood was not the greatest but she knew that complaining about it wouldn't get her anywhere, so she just did what needed to be done. She studied hard in school and worked on the farm, obeying what was told and taking only what was given. I honor her for her patience and respect.

One of Grandmas famous lines was "stay out of trouble now." I heard it quite often as we said our goodbyes after a visit. She never defined what "trouble" was. But she didn't have to. I knew she was really saying to always do my best in school, obey my father and mother, and stay close to Christ.

We all miss you down here but find comfort in knowing that you are finally at peace and no longer have to fight the pains this side of life brings. I'm sure you are dancing with Grandpa again, and enjoying beautiful flowers and birds in the gardens God made for you! It is not a goodbye, but simply "see you later gator" in a better world where all your neighbors mow their lawns. For now I will do my very best to stay out of trouble just like you always told me.

If there's one thing my Grandma has taught me, that is to keep on keepin' on.

Keep on finding the good even when there's a lot of bad. Keep on loving and listening and caring. Keep on creating and admiring the beauty right outside your window. Keep on believing. Keep on living for God.