Grandma

Capturing moments

Last night, we got a chance to celebrate my only living Grandma on her 89th birthday. And when I say “we” I mean 24 of us! What a privilege it was. It was an extra special night because it was her birthday, of course, but mostly because in this season of life, getting that many people to press pause on our busy lives all at the same time, to celebrate anything, is quite a feat. It wasn’t an elaborate feast or fancy cake (the only “Master Chef” in this house is still in training), and it didn’t matter. What mattered is that we gathered to honor Grandma and her beautiful life.

And we took pictures!

It’s sort of a running joke in our family that a moment doesn’t really “happen” unless we get a picture of it. That was especially funny last night as we were really wanting to make sure we …

Over the weekend, we had an extended family meeting with my local sisters, all of our kids, my parents, my grandmother, my sister Michelle, and her family who joined us via Facetime. My parents have been saving for many years to take all of us on a trip of a lifetime together. This year, all twenty one of us will be making our way across the Atlantic together on a pilgrimage of sorts to visit Israel, where the story of our faith is rooted. It’s a humbling legacy gift, birthed from a dream, built on much sacrifice and hard work.

It’s an experience that will live on in our family for generations to come.

Before our first meeting to discuss our trip plans, we got a note from my parents saying that my Grandma Hyde wanted to attend the meeting because she had “a gift of a lifetime” to share with us. …

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It’s not often you get to dance until your face and hair is wet with sweat, together with your Grandma and kids. But we got a chance to do that at my niece’s wedding earlier this month. Well, Grandma didn’t exactly dance, but she was there with us cheering us all on.

This is Jewell, my Grandma Hyde.

She’s my mother’s mom and my last living grandparent. She lives in Missouri, so we don’t get to see her very often. But I have many memories with her over all the years. When I was in college, she lived in South Carolina and was my nearest relative. Kim and I would drive to her house for breaks like Easter or spring break, when it was too far to drive home. Grandma would always have her famous deviled eggs ready for us and all the other good and salty things. (Grandpa bought the Breyer’s …

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My sister Kim sent this pic to my family last night with a text that said, “Found this picture this morning and brought back such sweet memories of driving after Christmas service to Grandma’s house!” If you’re not in our family, I’m sure it just looks like an old photograph with some very odd hairstyles on display.

But to our family, this picture brings back a million memories.

That was our rescue poodle named Promise. He was ours for over 10 years. In our house full of girls, his fingernails were always painted red, poor guy. That Raggedy Ann doll I’m holding was my treasure, apparently all the way into my early teen years. She was a handmade, one of a kind, that I saved up all my money to buy at Silver Dollar City. (I still have her to this day) Those are all my sisters and I have troves of colorful …

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Sometimes at night, I use the flashlight on my phone to light my path.

Last night as I was getting in bed, in the darkness I noticed a bright circle shining on the white sheets. It caught me off guard, it was way to bright too be the moon. When I looked, I welled with tears.

It was Grandma’s Light.

My grandma loved costume jewelry. After she passed in 2012, my resourceful and creative sisters decided to gather her collection and put it to use. They bought mirrors and glue. They spent hours gluing Grandma’s jewelry to the bases. Then they gave them to us as gifts.

It’s been on my nightstand ever since.

When a glance over at it at the end of a long day, I can sense her presence there with me. I can feel her praying for me. It’s been such a beautiful gift, always …

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She was born today, 93 years ago.

My grandma, Thelma Nadine Vetter.

I will forever thank God for that day.

Grandma taught me so much about life in the times we had together.

Her life wasn’t an easy one, but she made the moments count.

My Dad was born while Grandpa was away serving in World War II. Times were tough for the family as Grandpa became ill and later died of MS. Grandma drove a school bus to make ends meet.

What she couldn’t provide with money, she made up for in love.

She always focused on staying positive, being grateful, and loving on everyone she met. She gave of herself and the little money she had generously. She ever expected anything in return.

Grandma was the sole parent to my Dad throughout his adult life. It was difficult for him not having father to turn to for advice and council, but the impact she made on him …

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Capturing moments

It’s not about money, it’s about love

Dance with Grandma

Memories of the people will survive all the stuff

Grandma’s Light

Make it count