Joy A. Mead

One of the most precious memories I have of my grandma is seeing her cuddle and play with my daughter and son—her great grandchildren. 

About five years ago, we were at my parents’ house visiting San Francisco from London. I was busily preparing a meal when my mom rushed in to tell me that Grandma Annabelle was currently playing with my sweet little ones! Tiptoeing into the living room I quietly peeked in, not to disturb a beautiful moment of imaginative play. There, sitting on the floor, was my dear ninety-one-year-old grandmother, pretending to eat a hamburger, ice cream, and other dishes Anna and Luke were preparing in the play kitchen! I recall thinking, “What a gem of a grandma I’ve got—even into her nineties and she’s showering my kids with love and attention!” 

In my own growing up years, I was blessed to spend a week every summer by myself at my grandparents’ house. I was their tag-a-long buddy and did all of their routine activities with them. My grandma would proudly introduce me to her bowling network, church friends, and exercise group. Even as a young girl, I never felt awkward in front of the older generation; I think I could sense that they were full of wisdom and had interesting stories to tell. 

After spoiling me with delicious food, I would often sit up at the kitchen table for hours playing a card or board game while chatting with my grandma about her childhood, life, God, love, motherhood, etc.—she seemed to graciously always have hours to offer me. Back then, it felt like I had endless time, and I certainly wasn’t in a rush. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for my grandma (and grandpa) readily pouring out their love. The gift of availability is sometimes difficult for parents to provide to their children, and that is where grandparents can step in to meet the need so beautifully. 

To honor and remember my sweet grandma, who recently went home to be with Jesus, we had a family gathering over Zoom. I only have memories of Grandma as an older lady, however it was heart-warming to see old black-and-white photographs from her childhood and snapshots from her whole life. Having lived a wonderfully full life of ninety-six years, she had worn the various roles of daughter, student, friend, worker, wife, mother, auntie, grandma, and great grandma. All of these roles had created a ripple effect and helped shape her into such a wonderful lady. She even helped celebrated firsthand with so many of my key memories including high school and university graduations, my wedding, and the best of all—getting to know my children. 

For so many years, she had also been the one remaining grandparent between my husband and me. It grieves me to accept the fact that we’ll never have another squeezy cuddle on this side of heaven, nor will we be able to send her a birthday card or letters. Yet, even in her absence, her positive effect remains alive and well within our hearts. Her gift of quality time will stay with me forever like an accumulation of a solid investment which has swelled with interest over time; my grandma’s legacy is her love, wisdom, and time so freely given. 

Grandma has also left an invaluable inspiration to me for living life with simplicity. For all the modern conveniences of technology, especially the smartphone, my grandma knew that she didn’t want any of it. She was happily content with her Bible, books, and journal. It’s a lesson to me that I should never be so addicted to my phone, that I can’t readily put it down. Just like she always had focused time for me, I desire to intentionally foster those moments with my own children. The simplicity of hands embracing, squeezy hugs, and genuine conversations with actual eye contact are much more enriching and life-giving without the distractions and comparisons of modern living. 

As I get older, I hope that I become just like my grandma—happy with the little things and content with living life a day at a time. She may not physically be here anymore however, her spirit lives on through the love poured out from one generation to the next. The beauty of my grandma’s love, wisdom, and time is that it was so freely given over and over again—without selfishness or expectation—and certainly just offered as a blessing. 

And if I am anything like Grandma Annabelle when I become a grandma myself, I hope that my grandchildren will grow up to know that they have been showered with that same richness of love, wisdom, and time that has been passed down in our family from generation to generation.