IDareToHope

I got to stay with Grandma for several weeks in 2022 after Grampa went home with the Lord. They had several antique/vintage lamps in their home. A week or two in, I told Grandma I was nervous to use those antique lamps. She said “Oh really? why???” I replied I was nervous about the old wiring being a possible fire hazard. Grandma looked at me and said matter-of-factly, “Well. I did all their wiring myself. You don’t think that’s safe?” I realized then I was in out of my depth. 

Another time, while cooking, we decided to go through the cupboards after finding a fairly old unopened food item. We came across a very dark colored orange sauce bottle, unopened. Expired at least 5 years prior, I think. Grandma waved her hand and said, “oh its probably still fine” when I wanted to toss it.  I told her, if it still tasted good, we would use it. We opened it and she tasted some on a spoon and grimaced so quickly, and then finally let me toss it. 😄

Grandma has always been a thrifter. During the same visit, we went thrifting once in a neighboring town and the shop staff hugged her and chatted her up for a while. They cried together over the passing of Grampa and finally let her toodle around the store.  She later shared in the car that she’s been praying for them. She knew their stories and their heartaches and she cared, and hoped they would one day put their trust in Jesus. Even going thrift shopping was an opportunity to love her neighbors.

I received so many snailmailed birthday cards over the years, written in Grandma’s classy, neat cursive that I can never hope to copy. Each with lines of encouragement, little jokes or glitter, and prayers.

When I was about 16, my grandparents drove me all the way up to Whidby Island, WA (4 hours each way) to witness a dear friend get married. Grampa drove for a very long while with his blinker on during one stretch, and I finally piped up from the backseat “what’s that clicking sound??” We laughed about it for a little while.  We took the even longer way home instead of the ferry, and spotted a “Dairy Queen at Exit __” sign. We didn’t have Dairy Queen yet in Alaska, and the novelty was real. Grampa and Grandma ended up driving at least 20 extra minutes (unknowingly at the beginning) down that exit detour just so we could go to Dairy Queen. Dairy Queen hasn’t tasted as sweet since.

Grandma went home to meet Jesus, too, on Friday, November 28. Sure wish I would have called more in the last year, and told her about my Anchorage move, spider horrors, God’s provision in finding a new church family, gratitude over a new healthier job environment, hopes and prayers over my current relationship, the delight in holding my new nephew, Tisha and Aaron’s son, Van.

I’m so thankful for the sacrificial love poured out by my grandparents over the years. Their frugality, hard work, wisdom, hospitality and generosity, humor, and faithfulness came from hearts turned toward Jesus, the author and perfector of their faith.

Oh Lord, may I walk in such a way as them.

“If you are open, the Lord will lead you, step by step.” – Gale Van Diest