Ellie with Great-Grandma Wilder

Being in Atlanta with family this past week made me reflect on some things, regrets I hope will bring change in the way my children view the relationship they have with their grandparents…

I will readily admit I was careless in my love and concern for my own grandparents while they were still alive. Though I never knew my dad’s mother and father, my mom’s parents, “Grammie” and “Bapa” are dear in my memories. Grammie taught me to lend a hand to an elderly woman we saw struggling with groceries one day in a parking lot when I was nine or ten. “Susanna, why don’t you see if you can help that lady out,” she said. I’ll always remember those words. Because of Bapa, I get sad on Remembrance Day (or Veteran’s Day in the U.S.) and love breakfast cereals. It is strange but I can not eat them without mixing at least two kinds together at once, just as he did. His simple ritual became mine.

But they are both gone now…Grammie passed away from a sudden heart attack thirteen years ago and Bapa died a few years later. Though he lived with us for a while after Grammie’s death, I have no memories of ever treasuring the moments we had with Bapa. All I can remember is being embarrassed sometimes by his inappropriate jokes born from his years in the army. Riding with mom as she Picked him up from the Royal Canadian Legion where he went to socialize with other WWII veterans and smelling alcohol on his breath, my pious heart filled with disgust at his weakness for drink. I never attempted to talk with him and enjoy his company. I regret this now, especially because he did not have a relationship with Christ…Bapa and I will never meet again.

By giving me Rick, God also blessed me with the gift of having grandparents again…adopted yet mine not through blood but through spirit and brotherhood in Christ. Now Micah and Ellie have the immeasurable blessing of knowing both sets of grandparents as well as three great-grandparents. I am determined to do all I can to see to it that they treasure these relationships and hold them in high esteem. Mimi and Papa, Grandma and Grandpa, Great-grandma Rose, and Great-grandma and Grandpa Wilder…we love you. You are an inspiration to both present and future generations. Would we rise up and call you blessed, giving you the honor and praise you deserve!

P.S. Dear dad…when in comes to pictures, you are always missing in action! I have none of you with the children! Next time I hope…

Ellie with my mom (aka mimi)

Micah and Ellie with Grandpa Rose (He is not wearing a smile here but don’t be fooled! He is a jolly man!;)

Micah and Ellie with Grandma and Grandpa Rose, Great-Grandpa and Grandma Wilder