www.newhamburgindependent.ca/nhi/news/news_783777.htmlWell, I received a phone call this afternoon from my very proud Grandma who was shocked that the story of her reunion with a man she hadn't seen in 65 years (and thought he'd been a casualty of war), made the front page of her local paper this week. She couldn't believe they made the front page, "my face is so BIG", she said excitedly :) It was cool.
If you're interested you can check out the link. I recall the visit I had at her house months ago when she'd first received her friend's address and realized after 65 years that he was still alive and well and living in Ontario. She was absolutely thrilled. It was a huge coincidence (or divine intervention) that led to her connecting with him again. So absolutely cool.
It sure is a different world for my Grandma's generation. For us thirty-somethings, if we want to track someone down we simply 411 them, google them, or check for them on facebook. My Grandma wouldn't even know the meaning of the last two terms I mentioned. Even though it's cool to be able to find people I haven't seen in years on Facebook, there's something much more special about actually finding someone through an acquaintance in another country, and sending him an actual letter. Then finally meeting in person once again.
Sometimes I crave a simpler life. Letters from my Grandma are the only handwritten letters I get anymore (except from my sponsor child). It's always a thrill to get mail. My friend Jenn blogged about this idea a short time ago as well. We've lost the art of connecting through the mail, of sending a handwritten letter and it's such a shame!
Anyway, I'm thrilled for my Grandma, that's she's found a friend after so long. It's really neat to see her so excited. When I usually only hear about which of her friends have passed away when we visit, it's so nice to hear about how she's found an old friend. I think it must be so hard to be at the age where all your friends are dying. I've been through the stages where all my friends are dating, getting married (one summer I had 6 weddings in 2 months), having babies (super fun stage), but that's a stage I just don't know how I'll handle.
I've always been fascinated with my Grandma's comfort with the idea of her dying. Ever since I was a child I've heard her say that she's ready to go whenever God decides to take her home. I'm definitely not ready to let her go! Even though my Grandma never finished school, she is an incredibly smart and hardworking woman. She quilts, and ties comforters by the dozens to send overseas to orphanages for children who have nothing at all. It thrilled her to see pictures of such comforters on the beds in the orphanages that my cousin (her Granddaughter) visited while in the Ukraine.
She is an incredible woman that has taught me so much.
I love my dear Grandma.
Melanie
4 comments:
oh Melanie,
what a blessing for you to enjoy time with your grandma,
my kids will never have the opportunity to meet mine or Wayne;s grandparents, in fact neither Wayne nor I had ever met each others' grandparents,
just remember though, that when the Lord does call her home, you WILL see her again
your entry today made me teary and made me think of and miss my grandma siebert. i loved her the way you love your grandma today! i often think of grandma siebert and how special she was too many but especially how special she was to me. i kept all our correspondence from when i was in college and love having that as a treasure. losing my grandma siebert was the hardest death to process for me. i still miss her alot to this day! thanks for making me think of her...maybe i dig those letters out and read them!
Leah...we were just talking about your Grandma today. It makes me sad too that she never got to meet all of her Great Grandkids, she sure would have had a blast making crafts out of all sorts of junk with them :) She was such an awesome lady, I was so glad to have met her (and shared some Young and the Restless episodes with her...she used to get so pissed off at the characters, makes me laugh thinking about it). Love ya,
Mel
what a nice tribute to your Grandma Mel. As my grandma is sick in hospital right now, I wonder how long she has left on this earth, and know I'll miss her a lot. I'm grateful though that she's had the opportunity to meet Marly and Simon - She enjoys them so much.
Kim
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