My Not That Exciting but Perfectly Fine Life

In honor of my Grandpa, I’d love to take a walk down memory lane. I have so many memories of our visits with him and Grandma on the farm. The most fruitful time to visit them was in July. Not only were the blackberries plentiful for the picking, but the fresh garden sweet corn and sun kissed tomatoes were bountiful. I always loved picking the berries and making blackberry pie with them. To this day I think of my Grandma Verna whenever I make a blackberry pie because she taught me how to make it. Below is a picture of me and Grandpa picking blackberries together before he was too sick to do so. This is how I remember him. And no one had sweet corn like my Grandpa raised. It was so good it didn’t even need butter or salt!

Grandpa always liked to have plenty of bird houses stationed around the farm. So, whenever we’d visit in the spring, he’d be sure to lift the lid and show us the baby birds and/or eggs in each nest. And there was always the tour of his parade floats. He was quite a crafty man and sure knew how to build a float among other things including step stools and baskets.

I remember this one time we went fishing in the pond by his house and we were catching fish quicker than Grandpa could put the worms on the hook. He didn’t seem t o mind though. He’d take the fish off the hook for us and put another worm on it. Now that’s my kind of fishing! No squirmy worms or touching the scaly fish. Then we’d take all the fish we’d caught back to the house, dress them, and cook them up for breakfast! I’ve been known to eat weird things for breakfast including ice cream – but I think fried fish beats them all.

In the colder months, we always had the opportunity to explore the basement filled with “treasures”, or Grandma would pull out her painting supplies and we’d make a “masterpiece.” And there were always Grandpa’s stories. I can see him now, sitting in his recliner talking over the radio dialed to the weather channel and the TV going on in the kitchen.

Grandpa’s desk was another place of wonder as a child. He had a drawer filled with special games and puzzles just for us kids. On top of the desk was an M & M dispenser we frequently visited. I think the most M & M’s I was able to squeeze out of it was 6….and that was after a good jiggle, shake, and shimmy! As the resident Grandpa, Dad has now officially inherited this treasure. I’m sure we’ll all continue to enjoy some yummy treats as a result.

As I reflected on all these memories, I’ve been reminded that it’s the little things in life that add up to mean a whole lot more than you can ever imagine them to be. So, next time you take the hand of a toddler, taste the sweetness of garden freshness, feel the softness of baby skin, witness the miracle of life, smell the fragrance of your favorite flower, or cozy up under a blanket next to a glowing fireplace, take in the fullness of that moment and appreciate it for what it is. Simple pleasures add up to so much so I wonder why we try to complicate it with gadgets and gizmos? Maybe I’m living in the wrong century. Nah, I guess I’ll just keep a fresh perspective and reserve the right to enjoy the simple things of life.

Before I wonder off on a rabbit trail…I must say that I’m so thankful for the rich inheritance I’ve received – a love for Christ. All of my Grandparents loved the Lord and are now healed and walking free of pain in the presence of their Creator. I’m delighted that I only had to say “see ya later” to each of them. They passed on their love for Christ and that is big – I recognize this and am so grateful.