Grandparents

Here is a shout out to all the grandmas and grandpas of the world.  I can't think of more qualified miracle chasers than these amazing people!! As a child, I remember spending weeks on each of my grandparents very different farms. My mom's folks lived in Longview, WA, with a farm on the Columbia River.  From the slough at the back of the 60 acres filled with cows and weeds (the field, not the slough), to the hay barn ripe for hide and seek, right over the dike to the sandy beach of the rolling Columbia - there was never a dull moment.  Not to mention the wallpaper in the guest room, the stairs to break your neck on, or the wood floors perfect for sliding to the top of the stairs to break your neck on.  A favorite memory there was in my Senior year of high school, going up with a friend for a couple days while mom went to a high school reunion.  Even Grandpa went swimming in the mighty river that day. It was also the last day I saw my Grandpa Hendrickson. He went home to be with Jesus in the fall of 1990, when I was in Scotland with YWAM. Grandma joined him in 2000, the year I was pregnant with Josiah.

Then there was the farm in Sherwood, OR.  Grampa and Gramma Bulgin had a rhododendron nursery overlooking the valley and Mt. Hood.  The views from "Ellenhurst" were unbelievable spectacular. Of course, at 10 I was much more interested in the intercom system throughout the house, and the tadpoles in the fountain pond out back! If my memory serves me correctly, Gramps (that's a term of endearment in our family, not a slam!!) paid me a quarter a bush to deadhead his rhodys. I think now-a-days we would call that child abuse, but at the time, I felt very, very rich! We celebrated Gramma's 90th birthday last fall, and then painfully watched her deteriorate over the next months. In God's mercy, He took her home to restore her body and soul in April of this year. Grampa Bulgin is doing very well, puts up with the chaos of all our kids with perforated patience, and enjoys his plants and bird watching and having us come visit.

And now, as an adult, I have a new view of grandparents. I watch Jeff and my parents invest in our kids and I'm struck by a few truths:

- grandparents have more time for puzzles and books

- grandparents LOVE to give gifts

- grandparents have learned the miracle of putting others first, they've had two generations to practice

- grandparents have wisdom that we would do well to notice and glean

- grandparents are fun

- grandparents pray

- when grandparents rejoice with you, they rejoice double - for both their kids AND their grandkids, and when grandparents mourn, they mourn double

- grandparents are a gift

So, I wanted you to meet the grandparents in the lives of our miracles - and just maybe it will remind you of the gift of yours.  But if, as is sadly the case far too often, there is a distance between you and your family - be it a physical, spiritual or emotional distance - I invite you to pray that God will put spiritually mature people in your path and across the paths of your children - for the wisdom, joy and depth of healthy intergenerational relationships is too valuable to miss.

          

My mom and dad, Grammy and Papa (who goes by Pop, and who Abby calls "Pop goes the weasel") have 6 grandchildren, 5 living, whom they love to shower with time, joy, play, candy, and more time. Favorite activities are boating, roller blading, bike riding and the animal game.

     

Grandma and Grandpa Roth have probably watched more basketball games than anyone on this planet. With 11 grandsons and one granddaughter, 10 of whom have played on multiple teams, it's not unusual to find them tournament hopping on the weekend. They are generous with their time, attention, resources, and the family business. The gift of community and culture out at the farm is irreplaceable.

So, that's my shout out - have a great night - and tell the people you love that you love them.

Jen :)