Hot dish. Stuffed animals. Yahtzee.
I rolled 3 fives, enough to get the bonus points ‘up stairs’ on my Yahtzee game. Still… not my best game. After my mom’s turn, my Grandma took the dice in her hands. I bet she’s rolled those dice a million times over the years (and probably even the same dice). As I’ve blogged before, Yahtzee is just what we do at Grandma’s. In fact, it’s played so often in her home that photocopies are made of the original scorecard because it would be too expensive to buy the official refill pads. It’s not the game that connects us (or the cheating attempts or the special song we sing for Yahtzees). It’s being around the same table, laughing and enjoying each other that feels so right. And I’ve learned that, tucked between full houses and four-of-a-kinds, can come the most inspirational stories from my 86 year old, under-5-foot-and-stil-shrinking, Grandma Vi.
Today was no exception. She paused with the dice in her hands and began to tell a story from a few weeks ago…
One recent Wednesday a nurse approached my grandma Vi who was doing her weekly visit at a group home. (She visits with women her age, and older, who live in an assisted care home.) “ Vi, there’s a woman named Louis. She’s difficult and often mean. We’re hoping you can spend time with her.” So after praying with other women, grandma made her way to the corner of the room where Louis was. “Hi. I’m Vi. I come visit every Wednesday and I’d like to spend time with you.” Louis folded up her arms and grimly asked “why?” So my Grandma told her that it would be hard to live in a home without many visitors and she likes to visit and pray with them. Louis replied with, “I don’t pray.” That didn’t stop Grandma. “Well I do,” she said. “And I’d like to pray for you.” So my grandma touched the woman, said the Lord’s Prayer, and prayed the Benediction over her. “I’ll be back next Wednesday!”
During the week Grandma was in Target and bought Louis a stuffed animal. “I just felt led to a cute little white cat for her.” So the next Wednesday she approached Louis. “Louis- I have something for you. But the nurses say you’re not nice and not good company. I want to give this to you, but you have to start being nice. Understand? I
will
find out if you don’t change, and I’ll take it back, okay?” (She very much sounded like a parent bribing a child!) Louis reluctantly agreed, probably perplexed by this feisty short woman! As soon as she saw the stuffed kitty, Louis brightened. “OH! I used to have a white cat!” My Grandma paused from the storyline to let out a big “wahooo”, while lifting her fists in the air! Grandma explained to Louis that God is always close and always loves us, but sometimes we just need something physical to hold on to, that gives us comfort. (I have been a recipient of many small cheap stuffed animals over the years. This year for Christmas, Grandma got Avery a leopard!) After accepting the cat, Louis motioned for Grandma to pray for her before leaving.
At this point in the story, Grandma softened and tears formed behind her glasses. My cheeks became wet too. That day Grandma came home and thanked God that she was still able live on her own. But she also told God her time couldn’t be up yet. She had too much to do. More people to pray with.
The next week she brought Louis a candybar. Before she made her way to Louis’ room, the nurses stopped her. “Vi, what did you say to Louis? She has been so nice and actually thanked the nurses for making her bed this morning!”
Ever since my Grandpa died 4 years ago, Grandma has found a new purpose and ambition to serve and love people. Every week she makes hot dishes for community groups and has developed quite a reputation in her neighborhood for being an encouraging and selfless friend. Sometimes her reasoning and approaches seem child-like. But I’m reminded by her stories, especially this one, that love is indeed simple. It can be shared through
any
means; a hot dish, stuffed animal, or Yahtzee game. My Grandma knows how to love. And that’s why she’s a hero in my life.
This photo represents four generations. My daughter. My mom. And my Grandma. Sadly, my grandma doesn’t smile much in photos- so this fails miserably in capturing her loving, cheerful, energetic personality. All these women are my heroes in different ways.
All of them have taught me about love.