Tuesday, December 8, 2015
The Velveteen Grandma: 'Tis the season
The Velveteen Grandma: 'Tis the season: "But my heart stands in awe of Your word. I rejoice in Your word, as one who finds great treasure. I hate lying, but I love Your law. S...
'Tis the season
"But my heart stands in awe of Your word. I rejoice in Your word, as one who finds great treasure. I hate lying, but I love Your law. Seven times a day I will praise You, because of Your righteous judgements. Great peace have those who love Your law and nothing can make them stumble." Psalm 119:161b-165
Ah, the life of the velveteen grandma. The older I get the more I realize what a great privilege God has granted me in aging.
Seriously!
Even though my physical body regularly feels the advancement of age, my spirit is growing younger and more childlike in trust of God's amazing presence and power.
Working part time has offered me a huge opportunity to put into action the faith I claim. Holidays tend to bring a great deal of pressure to the general populace, and how I choose to respond to those pressures at work will either glorify God and my trust that He is control over all things, or my need to orchestrate the situation.
Because I work with people who are significantly younger than I am, I feel a great responsibility to be a true representation of Christ. Although I tease with them that they don't want to see the "grumpy Grandma"' in truth, I don't want them to see her either. She is someone who needs to be retired from the scene altogether. Instead, I want the wisdom and kindness of the Velveteen Grandma to be demonstrated at every opportunity.
When things get stressful, as happens in any work place, I want the soft tenderness of a life seasoned
by grace and love to be seen in my actions and heard in my words. To make sure that happens, I must
be certain my heart is continually bowed before my Lord in awe and reverence. That means spending quality time with Him in the Word and in prayer.
As the Christmas season rushes past much too quickly, I am determined more than ever, to be a vessel of grace and truth to a world who is in desperate need of God's love. I want to be a messenger of joy that heralds the good news from heaven: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men!"
Emmanuel, God with us!
To Him be the glory and honor in all seasons of life
!
Ah, the life of the velveteen grandma. The older I get the more I realize what a great privilege God has granted me in aging.
Seriously!
Even though my physical body regularly feels the advancement of age, my spirit is growing younger and more childlike in trust of God's amazing presence and power.
Working part time has offered me a huge opportunity to put into action the faith I claim. Holidays tend to bring a great deal of pressure to the general populace, and how I choose to respond to those pressures at work will either glorify God and my trust that He is control over all things, or my need to orchestrate the situation.
Because I work with people who are significantly younger than I am, I feel a great responsibility to be a true representation of Christ. Although I tease with them that they don't want to see the "grumpy Grandma"' in truth, I don't want them to see her either. She is someone who needs to be retired from the scene altogether. Instead, I want the wisdom and kindness of the Velveteen Grandma to be demonstrated at every opportunity.
When things get stressful, as happens in any work place, I want the soft tenderness of a life seasoned
by grace and love to be seen in my actions and heard in my words. To make sure that happens, I must
be certain my heart is continually bowed before my Lord in awe and reverence. That means spending quality time with Him in the Word and in prayer.
As the Christmas season rushes past much too quickly, I am determined more than ever, to be a vessel of grace and truth to a world who is in desperate need of God's love. I want to be a messenger of joy that heralds the good news from heaven: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men!"
Emmanuel, God with us!
To Him be the glory and honor in all seasons of life
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Whom will you serve?
"Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth." Psalm 125:8
"But why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dig deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose the stream beat vehemently against the house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard abd did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."
~Jesus quoted in Luke 6:46-49
Election years, that wonderful time of weeding through all the rhetoric in an effort to find out the truth about those who are being promoted as THE candidate to elect to govern over us.
Personally I'm glad the Olympics are on and interrupting much of the overplayed coverage of the media's choice of candidate. I find it refreshing to turn on the TV and see those who have trained diligently for their sport to be recognized and rewarded for their effort. The media does what they're supposed to do and simply reports on the achievements of the individuals or teams without added endorsement or diminishment. As a viewer I am allowed to choose without media bias.
If only it could be so easy for the elections.
All this to remind each of us to pray a little longer and dig a little deeper than the surface information provided in a drowning stream.
The waters are rising quickly on the future of our nation and beating vehemently against our house. We need to measure carefully the foundation on which we're building the future of our nation. Are we going to fight to let the truth of our founding fathers play forward, or roll over in a little sleep and slumber and invite destruction to come upon us? (See Proverbs 6:10)
As each of us prayerfully ponder who we give our vote to this November I ask that we remember this caution from God's word:
"These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an admonition to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands thst shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among the brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19)
The ultimate question to ask is what is the candidate doing, and what are we doing for the kingdom of God?
"Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for you this day whom you will serve,...But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15
"But why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dig deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose the stream beat vehemently against the house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard abd did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."
~Jesus quoted in Luke 6:46-49
Election years, that wonderful time of weeding through all the rhetoric in an effort to find out the truth about those who are being promoted as THE candidate to elect to govern over us.
Personally I'm glad the Olympics are on and interrupting much of the overplayed coverage of the media's choice of candidate. I find it refreshing to turn on the TV and see those who have trained diligently for their sport to be recognized and rewarded for their effort. The media does what they're supposed to do and simply reports on the achievements of the individuals or teams without added endorsement or diminishment. As a viewer I am allowed to choose without media bias.
If only it could be so easy for the elections.
All this to remind each of us to pray a little longer and dig a little deeper than the surface information provided in a drowning stream.
The waters are rising quickly on the future of our nation and beating vehemently against our house. We need to measure carefully the foundation on which we're building the future of our nation. Are we going to fight to let the truth of our founding fathers play forward, or roll over in a little sleep and slumber and invite destruction to come upon us? (See Proverbs 6:10)
As each of us prayerfully ponder who we give our vote to this November I ask that we remember this caution from God's word:
"These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an admonition to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands thst shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among the brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19)
The ultimate question to ask is what is the candidate doing, and what are we doing for the kingdom of God?
"Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for you this day whom you will serve,...But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15
Whom will you serve?
"Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth." Psalm 125:8
"But why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose the stream beat vehemently against the house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."
~Jesus quoted in Luke 6:46-49
Election years, that wonderful time of weeding through all the rhetoric in an effort to find out the truth about those who are being promoted as THE candidate to elect to govern over us.
Personally I'm glad the Olympics are on and interrupting much of the overplayed coverage of the media's choice of candidate. I find it refreshing to turn on the TV and see those who have trained diligently for their sport to be recognized and rewarded for their effort. The media does what they're supposed to do and simply reports on the achievements of the individuals or teams without added endorsement or diminishment. As a viewer I am allowed to choose without media bias.
If only it could be so easy for the elections.
All this to remind each of us to pray a little longer and dig a little deeper than the surface information provided in a drowning stream.
The waters are rising quickly on the future of our nation and beating vehemently against our house. We need to measure carefully the foundation on which we're building the future of our nation. Are we going to fight to let the truth of our founding fathers play forward, or roll over in a little sleep and slumber and invite destruction to come upon us? (See Proverbs 6:10)
As each of us prayerfully ponder who we give our vote to this November, I ask that we remember this caution from God's word:
"These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an admonition to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands thst shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among the brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19)
The ultimate question to ask is what is the candidate doing, and what are we doing for the kingdom of God?
"Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for you this day whom you will serve,...But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15
"But why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose the stream beat vehemently against the house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."
~Jesus quoted in Luke 6:46-49
Election years, that wonderful time of weeding through all the rhetoric in an effort to find out the truth about those who are being promoted as THE candidate to elect to govern over us.
Personally I'm glad the Olympics are on and interrupting much of the overplayed coverage of the media's choice of candidate. I find it refreshing to turn on the TV and see those who have trained diligently for their sport to be recognized and rewarded for their effort. The media does what they're supposed to do and simply reports on the achievements of the individuals or teams without added endorsement or diminishment. As a viewer I am allowed to choose without media bias.
If only it could be so easy for the elections.
All this to remind each of us to pray a little longer and dig a little deeper than the surface information provided in a drowning stream.
The waters are rising quickly on the future of our nation and beating vehemently against our house. We need to measure carefully the foundation on which we're building the future of our nation. Are we going to fight to let the truth of our founding fathers play forward, or roll over in a little sleep and slumber and invite destruction to come upon us? (See Proverbs 6:10)
As each of us prayerfully ponder who we give our vote to this November, I ask that we remember this caution from God's word:
"These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an admonition to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands thst shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among the brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19)
The ultimate question to ask is what is the candidate doing, and what are we doing for the kingdom of God?
"Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for you this day whom you will serve,...But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15
"On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "let us cross over to the thee side." now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was asleep on a pillow. And the woke Him and said to Him, " Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still," And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"" Mark 4:35-39
One of my favorite classic hymns is titled Peace Be Still by Rev. James Cleveland. It is one my mother, sister and I used to sing in three part harmony. My sister sang soprano, Mom sang tenor and I filled in the middle alto part. Many a sweet memory was formed as we blended our voices to this wonderful song. But there was more than just a time of singing that came forth from those times. To this day I can recall every word:
"Master the tempest is raging,
The billows are raging high
The sky is o'er shadowed with blackness
no shelter or help is nigh.
Carest Thou not if we perish?
The winds and the waves shall obey my will,
Carest Thou not if we perish?
How canst Thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threatening
A grave in the angry deep?
The winds and the waves shall obey my will,
Peace be still
Whether the wrath of a storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be
No water can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of oceans and earth and skies
They all shall sweetly obey My will
Peace be still, peace be still
They all shall sweetly obey my will
Peace, peace be still.."
Now there are more words to the song and a tune that rings in my heart every time I hear the verse from Mark, but more than anything is the blessed reminder of My Lord's presence and peace in the midst of life's storms. You see, I recall singing this the most with my mom and sister at the height of the Vietnam War where young men 18 and older were being drafted into military service. In addition to the concern that my brother just older than me might be drafted, my oldest brother who lived over 1,000 miles away was watching leukemia leach the life out of my eight year old nephew.
Times weren't exactly storm free.
And yet, we sang and found comfort in the words of Jesus as He reminded us He is in control over all things.
Life is filled with storms. Winds rage and the waves often seem as though they will overpower us as we struggle to stay afloat. Too often, like the disciples, we forget who is with us in the midst of the storm. If we cry out in panic or in great faith, His response is the same "Peac, be still!"
We don't need to worry or fret, He is still God, creator of all thing and in control of every situation. He never looks down and says "Oops!" He will never leave or forsake us. (See Deuteronomy31:6 and Hebrews 13:5) even in the fiercest storm we need to remember, He is always with us.
Truly, there is beauty to be found even in the midst of the storms.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Dealing with the detours
"For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
"Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs3:5&6
One of the things I strive for as I get older is the ability to remain flexible. Now I am not speaking of flexibility only in the physical sense. Although taking care of myself physically is important, I am speaking of the mental capacity to change directions without causing harm to myself or others. You see, I am rather a "plan it Paula" type of personality. I like knowing what is on the agenda and how we are going to attain whatever objective or goal we have in mind. Having a well planned journey is my preferred way of traveling. It gives me comfort thinking I know what is going to happen.
Reality is much different. I think that is why God linked me in marriage to someone who is much more "spontaneous Sam" in his approach to life. I have been taught the value I being flexible. Although having a basic plan is important, more often than not there will be snags and detours in the journey. Learning to face them with a joyful heart and cheerful spirit has been stretching for me.
Today was one of those days. It is my "day off" and I had certain ideas how I was going to spend it. I had already adjusted my plans to accommodate changes that had come up, so I wasn't feeling particularly joyful when my six year old grandson popped in the front door with a sewing project he wanted me to do for him.
But as the Velveteen Grandma I need to adjust my heart and facial expression so the grandchild will feel the love, rather than the temporary frustration over another change in my plan. It is, after all God's plan I am ultimately hoping to fulfill.
After the initial taming of the grumble in my spirit (to which I admit to ashamedly, but need to be honest with what I was feeling) I began sewing the blanket he had brought me. As I worked he chattered merrily about things in his life and joyfully straightened the bed and tidied the room which doubles as a spare bedroom/playroom. My heart was humbled by his servant spirit and joyous demeanor.
Once the blanket was done he thanked me and scooted back to is house leaving me in the silence of my own attitude.
Jesus calls us to come to Him as children, but too often the road I travel to get there is cluttered with the busyness of life and self serving ideas. My plans litter the path with debris and my sight becomes clouded with failed expectations and disappointments. About the time I am groaning beneath the weight of self-imposed travel, God calls me aside with a detour.
And I am glad He does.
It is the road He has set that I most desire to see.
Detours are not convenient or planned in our journey in life, but it is on the road less traveled that we can discover the most beautiful treasures.
"Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs3:5&6
One of the things I strive for as I get older is the ability to remain flexible. Now I am not speaking of flexibility only in the physical sense. Although taking care of myself physically is important, I am speaking of the mental capacity to change directions without causing harm to myself or others. You see, I am rather a "plan it Paula" type of personality. I like knowing what is on the agenda and how we are going to attain whatever objective or goal we have in mind. Having a well planned journey is my preferred way of traveling. It gives me comfort thinking I know what is going to happen.
Reality is much different. I think that is why God linked me in marriage to someone who is much more "spontaneous Sam" in his approach to life. I have been taught the value I being flexible. Although having a basic plan is important, more often than not there will be snags and detours in the journey. Learning to face them with a joyful heart and cheerful spirit has been stretching for me.
Today was one of those days. It is my "day off" and I had certain ideas how I was going to spend it. I had already adjusted my plans to accommodate changes that had come up, so I wasn't feeling particularly joyful when my six year old grandson popped in the front door with a sewing project he wanted me to do for him.
But as the Velveteen Grandma I need to adjust my heart and facial expression so the grandchild will feel the love, rather than the temporary frustration over another change in my plan. It is, after all God's plan I am ultimately hoping to fulfill.
After the initial taming of the grumble in my spirit (to which I admit to ashamedly, but need to be honest with what I was feeling) I began sewing the blanket he had brought me. As I worked he chattered merrily about things in his life and joyfully straightened the bed and tidied the room which doubles as a spare bedroom/playroom. My heart was humbled by his servant spirit and joyous demeanor.
Once the blanket was done he thanked me and scooted back to is house leaving me in the silence of my own attitude.
Jesus calls us to come to Him as children, but too often the road I travel to get there is cluttered with the busyness of life and self serving ideas. My plans litter the path with debris and my sight becomes clouded with failed expectations and disappointments. About the time I am groaning beneath the weight of self-imposed travel, God calls me aside with a detour.
And I am glad He does.
It is the road He has set that I most desire to see.
Detours are not convenient or planned in our journey in life, but it is on the road less traveled that we can discover the most beautiful treasures.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Why I want to be the Velveteen Grandma
The Velveteen Grandma
One of my favorite stories is the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. The story is the journey of a stuffed rabbit that wants to be real, and the other toys in a child's nursery. Filled with analogies and wonderful quotes, my favorite is a conversation between the Velveteen Rabbit and the Skin Horse which I have included here:
"He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away, and he knew that they were only toys, and would never turn into anything else. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.
"The Boy's Uncle made me Real," he said. "That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."
Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit
As I was thinking about this today the term Velveteen Grandma came to mind.
To be that type of grandma means I need to step away from the "Glamma" and let my grandchildren see the whole person...warts and all. It means worrying less about the outward appearance and more about the heart my grandchildren see.
Do they view me as loving, selfless, kind, gentle? Are they comforted and comfortable in my presence?
You see, I loved my grandmother dearly, but quite honestly, she was a bit prickly to be around when I was younger. Now in her defense, she worked full-time as a third grade teacher, and still had to take care of a husband and household when she came home. We lived only a block away, so we were often at their house. As I get older and am working part-time, I realize much of her prickly appearance was more tiredness than anything else.
It makes me give pause to my own weaknesses when weary.
Although I still haven't conquered all the areas where I need improvement in my journey to becoming REAL, I am moving forward nicely. Certainly there are times I miss the shiny softness of being "new", but as the grandchildren flock around me and clamour into my lap or arms, I feel the beauty of being "loose in the joints and very shabby" far outweighs anything glamorous I might try to attempt. Their bright smiles, warm hugs and the words "I love you Grandma!" are far more desirable than anything else.
Yes, being REAL is a wonderful thing and I am blessed to be a Velveteen Grandma.
"It lasts for always."
One of my favorite stories is the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. The story is the journey of a stuffed rabbit that wants to be real, and the other toys in a child's nursery. Filled with analogies and wonderful quotes, my favorite is a conversation between the Velveteen Rabbit and the Skin Horse which I have included here:
"He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out to string bead necklaces. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by-and-by break their mainsprings and pass away, and he knew that they were only toys, and would never turn into anything else. For nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.
"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."
"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.
"The Boy's Uncle made me Real," he said. "That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."
Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit
As I was thinking about this today the term Velveteen Grandma came to mind.
To be that type of grandma means I need to step away from the "Glamma" and let my grandchildren see the whole person...warts and all. It means worrying less about the outward appearance and more about the heart my grandchildren see.
Do they view me as loving, selfless, kind, gentle? Are they comforted and comfortable in my presence?
You see, I loved my grandmother dearly, but quite honestly, she was a bit prickly to be around when I was younger. Now in her defense, she worked full-time as a third grade teacher, and still had to take care of a husband and household when she came home. We lived only a block away, so we were often at their house. As I get older and am working part-time, I realize much of her prickly appearance was more tiredness than anything else.
It makes me give pause to my own weaknesses when weary.
Although I still haven't conquered all the areas where I need improvement in my journey to becoming REAL, I am moving forward nicely. Certainly there are times I miss the shiny softness of being "new", but as the grandchildren flock around me and clamour into my lap or arms, I feel the beauty of being "loose in the joints and very shabby" far outweighs anything glamorous I might try to attempt. Their bright smiles, warm hugs and the words "I love you Grandma!" are far more desirable than anything else.
Yes, being REAL is a wonderful thing and I am blessed to be a Velveteen Grandma.
"It lasts for always."
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