A Legacy of Faith

How can one begin to document the influence that a loved one has had on her life? How do I recount the love, laughter, care and tenderness that one woman has bestowed upon me over the past 40 years?

As I spent these last days with my grandma, so many emotions flood my heart. My memories are so fond. Her closet full of high heels and square dancing costumes were at the constant disposal of my cousins and I as we twirled around and around and around in those full skirts. Her laughter as we played “shoe store” with our grandpa (he was always such a good sport!) was contagious. She lovingly tucked us into the “antique bed” more times than I can count. She gave me my first taste of coffee. Well, it was actually a mug of cream and sugar with a drop of coffee in it. She also tricked me into tasting buttermilk straight from a glass.

There was always room for me in her home and I availed myself of the opportunities so often! I would have rather been at my grandma’s house than at any other place on the earth, including Disneyland. I spent my spring breaks and part of my summer breaks with her. We went to the pool. We went to the beach. We played UNO for hours.



She’s always given to me. She’s always cared for me.

During the past ten years, I have had the blessing of being able to care for her by helping her with certain tasks. I have done her grocery shopping, taken her to the doctor, done her bookkeeping, etc. Yes, I’ve given to her. But…the blessing of what I have received far surpasses anything I have given!

Over those same ten years, my grandma passed on a legacy. She lived her faith every day. She donated her time to helping pack Braille Bibles every Tuesday morning for 26 years. She loved her neighbors, her friends and her family. She was content in everything.

My family and I shared her last moments with her and the peace that surrounded her was amazing. She was so ready to meet her Savior! True to form she was a bit impatient about it but oh was she ready.



Over the past two months her kidneys failed her. Her body became weak but her soul became that much stronger! She longed to see the Lord face to face and she spent hours praying for that meeting and for the family she was leaving behind.

At the age of 87, my grandma passed away just two weeks ago with us at her side. I miss her more than I can possibly express. But, I embrace the legacy she left for me; the legacy of her faith. Not only that but I look forward with joy to the day I will reunite with her on those streets of gold!

I can only pray that my own legacy will be as rich!