My son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons head back to California today. It’s hard for us to say goodbye. While they were here we tried to make memories, snow ball fights, building a snow man, movies, time together just talking. Building good memories with my grandsons is important to me since I have very few memories of my own grandparents.
My paternal grandparents were never close. My maternal grandmother died before I was born. The only memory I really have is of my mother’s father. He was a tough atheist, a house painter by trade who liked to visit the “French Club” and drink with his cronies. He’d often take me with him.
That ended when my parents moved out of town. I started Catholic School and began to write letters to him about God and going to heaven. They were a little child’s viewpoint and he never responded nor acknowledge them. We moved again, this time to California, and he died shortly after. As he was dying, he asked for a priest and turned his life over to God through a sinner’s prayer. Later my aunt found all my letters tucked away under his mattress; he’d kept everyone.
When I think of my grandfather, I think of the thief crucified next to Jesus, and how he waited until the very end of life to get right with God, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus promised that He would. [Luke 23:42-43 NIV]
I am thankful that I will see my grandfather again, but it sorrows me that he waited until the very end to find God. What opportunities and delights he missed.
Father, I pray as we begin this new year, we embrace loving You and delighting in You. May we not miss any opportunities you place in our path in 2018. Amen.
