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Grandma's Car
#1 · November 13, 2002, 3:36 pm
Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>
~~~ Grandma's Car ~~~
I have so many wonderful memories of my grandma's car pulling into our
driveway. As a child, hearing the engine of her old car gave me a 'rush'
like no other. I would listen intently to reconfirm... yep... it's her car!
Knowing Grandma was now in reach of my small arms created an excitement in
me that was exhilarating. Not pausing for a moment, I would begin my shouts,
exclaiming loudly, "Grandma's here! Grandma's here!"
Mother would sometimes let us children run to meet grandma as she walked up
our driveway. Her jovial laugh and warm hello's clearly expressed her
delight in seeing us. Grandma's driveway reception was one of love and joy.
We would all circle her as she tried to walk, all talking at once, wanting
her attention simultaneously.
I was the oldest, so the expectation of good manners and waiting my turn,
always loomed over my head. It felt like this was the greatest of sacrifices
when it came to grandma. It didn't seem fair; as I heard my mom's voice in
my mind, saying repeatedly... wait your turn... wait your turn Melodie.
Thinking to myself nobody else waits his or her turn, why do I have to?
Somehow Grandma seemed to sense this, as she was being pulled in all
directions of conversation, and would look over at me and 'wink', with a
loving smile she would extend her arms calling my name.
I will be forever grateful to Grandma's old car for making it possible for
her to come and visit us. Her car also, made it possible for her to do her
'chores' as she liked to call them.
Grandma was always taking someone something or picking something up, these
were her 'chores'. For a poor woman with hardly any income grandma sure had
her ways of helping people.
It's funny to think back on her car. Her station wagon was of good size, but
it always appeared to be loaded down. At seeing the interior of Grandma's
car I was always amazed at the amount of contents inside. Grandma always had
boxes and bags placed on top of each other well above her car seats. All the
stacked clutter showed through her car windows causing much curiosity to
those who saw her car.
The contents in theses bags and boxes were everything imaginable. Some
people might have viewed this as mere junk or insignificant articles, but to
Grandma all these things were great treasures of worth. And I soon came to
look on all these things as valuable as well.
I always had a lengthy wait upon climbing into Grandma's car. Yes, it always
took grandma several minutes to rearrange things, so there would be a place
for me to sit.
During this re-arranging time, she would be casually looking into bags,
stacking some, and setting others on the car's floorboard to make room, so I
could get in. Grandma had great enthusiasm when sharing all the bags
contents and their specific destinations. She seemed to be so tickled with
each item.
I especially loved when she came across bags of vegetables or fruit in her
car. She would say matter-of-factly, while handing me a big apple, "Well now
honey, we can't take-off until you have one of these delicious golden
yellow's for the ride." Or "Here honey, take yourself a handful of these
luscious green beans for the ride."
Often times, as a rider in Grandma's car you were asked to hold something. I
took this responsibility very seriously, carefully holding the designated
bag on my adolescent lap. Feeling excitement over the bags contents and who
it was for made my discomfort worthwhile. I loved hearing Grandma's plans
for the item. I believed like Grandma that each bag was surely going to help
someone.
Grandma had an uncanny way about herself, a way of getting people involved
in giving and helping others. She would take any unwanted or used item that
people were getting rid of and load it into her car. Somehow she knew
exactly the right person or family that needed that very thing.
When I would go on rides with her. She would stop to visit family, friends,
and neighbors alike. Over the years it had become commonplace for them to
ask Grandma, if she wanted such and such, or if she knew someone that might
need it. She never claimed any of these items for herself, but she would
claim them for others. Her response being, "I don't need it, but I sure know
someone who does." And then Grandma would go on to share a most colorful
detailed story of the person who had this coincidental need. The generous
benefactor would listen intently as Grandma explained how much they would be
helping this person or family. I was always amazed how she could keep track
of all these different people, their needs, and their stories of plight.
Grandma came in contact with so many 'give-away' possessions over the years.
And I know that many of the things could of helped her and offered her some
comfort, but she always passed them on and gave them to someone else she
thought needed them more. I remember Grandma often saying, "I can only eat
one plate of food and wear one pair of shoes at a time. I don't need much."
It was always so much fun to take off with Grandma on a delivery. On route
we would discuss how happy or how surprised the receiver was going to be.
Grandma's old car was a marvel. I don't believe it ever had a tune-up or
servicing of any kind, and somehow it continued to run. I don't know where
she got all her gas, oil, or tires over the years either. It is clear to me
that God must of blessed Grandma's activity of 'chores' and sustained her
through all those years of pick-ups and deliveries.
My mother always called my Grandma, "God's cheerful giver who delivers."
I am often humbled thinking of my Grandma's limited resources and what she
was able to accomplish during her lifetime of 'giving'. I find myself
wondering, how many people were excited like I had been, at seeing her
pulling into their driveways. I can only imagine it was many. Her driveway
receptions were always grand.
It seems together, God and Grandma turned an old beat-up car, loaded down
with bags and boxes, into a very special 'ministry on wheels'.
driveway. As a child, hearing the engine of her old car gave me a 'rush'
like no other. I would listen intently to reconfirm... yep... it's her car!
Knowing Grandma was now in reach of my small arms created an excitement in
me that was exhilarating. Not pausing for a moment, I would begin my shouts,
exclaiming loudly, "Grandma's here! Grandma's here!"
Mother would sometimes let us children run to meet grandma as she walked up
our driveway. Her jovial laugh and warm hello's clearly expressed her
delight in seeing us. Grandma's driveway reception was one of love and joy.
We would all circle her as she tried to walk, all talking at once, wanting
her attention simultaneously.
I was the oldest, so the expectation of good manners and waiting my turn,
always loomed over my head. It felt like this was the greatest of sacrifices
when it came to grandma. It didn't seem fair; as I heard my mom's voice in
my mind, saying repeatedly... wait your turn... wait your turn Melodie.
Thinking to myself nobody else waits his or her turn, why do I have to?
Somehow Grandma seemed to sense this, as she was being pulled in all
directions of conversation, and would look over at me and 'wink', with a
loving smile she would extend her arms calling my name.
I will be forever grateful to Grandma's old car for making it possible for
her to come and visit us. Her car also, made it possible for her to do her
'chores' as she liked to call them.
Grandma was always taking someone something or picking something up, these
were her 'chores'. For a poor woman with hardly any income grandma sure had
her ways of helping people.
It's funny to think back on her car. Her station wagon was of good size, but
it always appeared to be loaded down. At seeing the interior of Grandma's
car I was always amazed at the amount of contents inside. Grandma always had
boxes and bags placed on top of each other well above her car seats. All the
stacked clutter showed through her car windows causing much curiosity to
those who saw her car.
The contents in theses bags and boxes were everything imaginable. Some
people might have viewed this as mere junk or insignificant articles, but to
Grandma all these things were great treasures of worth. And I soon came to
look on all these things as valuable as well.
I always had a lengthy wait upon climbing into Grandma's car. Yes, it always
took grandma several minutes to rearrange things, so there would be a place
for me to sit.
During this re-arranging time, she would be casually looking into bags,
stacking some, and setting others on the car's floorboard to make room, so I
could get in. Grandma had great enthusiasm when sharing all the bags
contents and their specific destinations. She seemed to be so tickled with
each item.
I especially loved when she came across bags of vegetables or fruit in her
car. She would say matter-of-factly, while handing me a big apple, "Well now
honey, we can't take-off until you have one of these delicious golden
yellow's for the ride." Or "Here honey, take yourself a handful of these
luscious green beans for the ride."
Often times, as a rider in Grandma's car you were asked to hold something. I
took this responsibility very seriously, carefully holding the designated
bag on my adolescent lap. Feeling excitement over the bags contents and who
it was for made my discomfort worthwhile. I loved hearing Grandma's plans
for the item. I believed like Grandma that each bag was surely going to help
someone.
Grandma had an uncanny way about herself, a way of getting people involved
in giving and helping others. She would take any unwanted or used item that
people were getting rid of and load it into her car. Somehow she knew
exactly the right person or family that needed that very thing.
When I would go on rides with her. She would stop to visit family, friends,
and neighbors alike. Over the years it had become commonplace for them to
ask Grandma, if she wanted such and such, or if she knew someone that might
need it. She never claimed any of these items for herself, but she would
claim them for others. Her response being, "I don't need it, but I sure know
someone who does." And then Grandma would go on to share a most colorful
detailed story of the person who had this coincidental need. The generous
benefactor would listen intently as Grandma explained how much they would be
helping this person or family. I was always amazed how she could keep track
of all these different people, their needs, and their stories of plight.
Grandma came in contact with so many 'give-away' possessions over the years.
And I know that many of the things could of helped her and offered her some
comfort, but she always passed them on and gave them to someone else she
thought needed them more. I remember Grandma often saying, "I can only eat
one plate of food and wear one pair of shoes at a time. I don't need much."
It was always so much fun to take off with Grandma on a delivery. On route
we would discuss how happy or how surprised the receiver was going to be.
Grandma's old car was a marvel. I don't believe it ever had a tune-up or
servicing of any kind, and somehow it continued to run. I don't know where
she got all her gas, oil, or tires over the years either. It is clear to me
that God must of blessed Grandma's activity of 'chores' and sustained her
through all those years of pick-ups and deliveries.
My mother always called my Grandma, "God's cheerful giver who delivers."
I am often humbled thinking of my Grandma's limited resources and what she
was able to accomplish during her lifetime of 'giving'. I find myself
wondering, how many people were excited like I had been, at seeing her
pulling into their driveways. I can only imagine it was many. Her driveway
receptions were always grand.
It seems together, God and Grandma turned an old beat-up car, loaded down
with bags and boxes, into a very special 'ministry on wheels'.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
~~~ See It Through ~~~
When you're up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it's vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it's vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!
Black may be the clouds about you
And your future may seem grim,
But don't let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!
And your future may seem grim,
But don't let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!
Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you're beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don't give up, whate'er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!
When with troubles you're beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don't give up, whate'er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!
Have a Blessed Day
Dave and Barbara
Dave and Barbara
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