A life lesson

*the following is what I had prepared to be read at my Grandmothers funeral today.  I hope you draw inspiration.

Lorene Reynolds.  We are gathered today to mark the passing of a great lady.  In case you haven’t noticed the world is a bit dimmer as it has lost one of its shining lights.  Now you will please excuse me if I refer to Lorene as how I knew her… Grandma.  To be honest, I was caught by surprise when I heard the initial news and the rapid progression of Grandma over the weekend.  Though she had been blessed with many years, it was one of those things that humans do.  We always take for granted that she was going to be around for the next year regardless.  It was Grandma.  But when the final words were passed of her walking on, the first thing that came to my mind were fireflies.

It may sound silly, but chasing fireflies under the full moon of a Columbus, Indiana summer night was the first recollection I had as I heard of Grandma’s passing.  While Alex, my older brother carried the capture jar I was the hunter with the net.  We furiously ran about the yard as Grandma stood in the doorway watching us, softly sipping from her ever present coffee cup.  The beaming smile on her face reflected the joy she felt from watching the exuberance of her grandsons. 

She never hesitated to give her efforts, or her time.

Then the memories poured forth like a flood: a never ending supply of glass coke bottles by the garage door, canned vegetables from ages past,   I remember her sure and steady steps that always guided her movements around the kitchen each morning.  As she might bring a strange and exotic meal like pork tenderloin sandwiches or country gravy on Toast.  Whatever it was, to this Texas boy, it was great.  In almost all she did was motivated out of love.  Each birthday or holiday, I found a card from her.  Why did she do so much?

Well, ya see, Grandma came from a different generation.  It was a generation that didn’t tell you “I love you.”  No they actually had a crazy idea that instead of telling someone you loved them… you lived it.  She did all of this and so much more.  All of the cookies, the treats, the cards or conversations each hoping to find you “fine”, were her way of living her love.  She loved so passionately.  She nurtured all she came into contact with.  If you were in a group, you didn’t feel left out as she had an incredible ability to be able to show the individual that they were so beloved that the presence of others was not a threat.      

The last memory I will share is when it came time for the lady that I knew as “Grandma” to become known as “Great-Grandma,” to my boys.  When my oldest son Gabriel was born, the Reynolds were quick to arrive.  Although not the first grandchild… He was my first and also the first Grandson.  Though it was the next day, my ex-wife was still understandably exhausted from the birth.  The nurses allowed Gabriel to spend more time with us.  That is when Grandma entered the room.  The look of amazed joy on her face was exquisite.  We placed the child in Grandma’s arms and she so lovingly embraced the child.  Although Mary Ellen was anxious, as all new mothers are, I was amazed by Grandma’s tender cuddling of my child.  Remember, she didn’t tell people she loved them, she lived it.  I was amazed at the beauty of that my Grandmother poured out on my son.  When it was time to give him back to Mary Ellen, she almost didn’t want to let him go.  Indeed, she was so enraptured by Gabriel I had to say her name numerous times.  Why was she so caught up?  Simple.  She already loved him so. 

           So what should be a legacy for this great woman?  I challenge all to live as my Grandmother did.  Don’t worry, you can still tell people you love them, but more important: unceasingly and unhesitatingly live the love you have for others.