Thirteen years ago today I became a Grandma. Life changed. It got better.
Happy 13th Birthday, Connor Joe. You are a delight to my life.
I wrote this piece many years ago after a walk with baby Connor and hope one day it will be published in Splashes of Serenity: Bathtime Reflections for Drained Women.
“In the cool of
the evening, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking around in the
garden….” Genesis: 3:8 (GWT)
“Let’s take a
walk!” my grandson, Connor, suggests nearly each time he visits. Our walks take
us into make-believe Africa hunting for the
pair of stone lions gracing the driveway of a house three blocks away. The
owner gave permission for Connor to sit on the lion’s back. He does and “roars”
for everyone to hear. It’s fun for a four year old. I love our walks too. They
bind us together on life’s journey. I have Connor’s full attention as I tell
him tales of my childhood and walks with my dad.
For as long as I
can remember, my dad and I took good walks. We walked in his garden. The corn
stalks grew way over my head and my dad was my protection. He once commanded,
“Don’t move!” Stopped in my tracks, I looked down to see a long black snake at
my feet. Walks in the garden weren’t such fun once I realized a snake resided
there. In the winter, we walked up snowy hills and rode down on the old wooden
Flexible Flyer sled. Dad would lie on his tummy, and I would lie on his back
holding on for dear life as we sped down icy slopes. What fun! As we grew
older, we had great walks and talks about life and unseen snakes and lions that
prowl around seeking to devour naïve young girls.
I have a picture
to commemorate one of our best treks. On Dad’s 87th birthday, we
walked 27 holes of golf. Dad shot the best score of his life—two over par. Now
that was a memorable day as shown from the ear-to-ear grin on Dad’s sweet face
photographed, framed, and placed predominantly on my piano.
It was only a few
months later Dad became sick and was hospitalized. We sat together in stillness
knowing our days together would soon end. The twinkle in his eye sparkled as
his mouth looked up in a grin. “Let’s take a walk,” he suggested. The doctor
gave his approval. I think in dad’s heart he pushed himself for one last walk
with his daughter. We shuffled down the hospital corridor. With one hand he
held onto me. With the other, he held the IV pole. We talked about all the
walks we had taken. I said the best walk had been the 27 holes of golf on his
87th birthday. He disagreed, saying the best was walking me down the
church aisle to marry my husband. Our eyes were wet on that day as they were
now. I lightened the moment with a joke about his wanting me married so he
wouldn’t have to pay my dental bills. But we both knew dad was giving his final
blessing and approval of my husband, Dan—the man we both loved.
Dan and I treasure
our long walks. Walking together is a priority to keep our bodies and our
marriage in good shape. Our hands and hearts touch as we walk and talk about
life—how good it has been, and how blessed we are by our love. Sometimes we
encourage each other by pointing out lions and snakes the other might be
missing. We leave nothing unsaid, for we never know which walk will be our
last.
Death can come at
any time. It came quickly for Dad. The walk down the hospital hall was our last
walk together. Shortly after, Dad held God’s hand and peacefully walked to
Heaven.
Must be God likes
walks too. “I will walk among you and be your God.” He says in Leviticus 26:12
(NIV). God walked in the garden with Adam and warned him of snakes. God desires
to walk with us and us with Him. He knows what lies ahead on our trail and He
wants to journey with us, talk with us, bless us, and protect us from lions and
snakes. Sometimes, He’ll pick us up and carry us as I do Connor when his little
legs grow weary on the rough roads. Most important, I don’t think there will be
any disagreement that the best walk will
be that last walk when He ushers His followers to Heaven.
Life is a journey
of steps. We’ll meet some lions and snakes along the way. Even so, we should enjoy
life’s hike and make sure the people trekking with us know how much we love
them.
S.O.S.:
Dear God, thank You for walking with me through all the gardens of life.
May I pay close attention to your warnings of lions and snakes and bears, oh
my! Let me hear Your voice and obey when You lead me down a path that is Your
choosing and not mine. Thank you for treasured times with those I love. Most of
all, thank You for the assurance that You are with me, holding my hand, walking
with me, and preparing a road for my steps. Keep me from stumbling and
when I do, thank You for being there to carry me. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
May your life walks be filled with Splashes of Serenity!
