She came to live with me last June. She had just left the hospital and was pretty fragile. She needed to be accepted. She needed encouragement. She needed to realize that she mattered in the world. The family at Anderson Baptist Church embraced her, loved on her, asked about how she was doing, and gave her a purpose thought her job at the dayschool. She became known as Grandma, not only to the children, but to everyone. There is something endearing about that name. Makes one feel automatically loved just a little more than if they used your given name only. If I go to the trouble of calling someone a name like that, it is because I care. I think she realized that and somehow drew strength from it. She began to teach Sunday School again, which filled a hole that we had at the church, but also filled a hole that she had in her soul. She has been a teacher her whole life. She is the best Sunday School teacher a kid could have in so many ways. It is an outlet for her, a way to pass along her love for the bible and for our God. She is not affectionate or 'touchy-feely' by nature, but in this way she connects. She also began working with the after school kids at the dayschool. Challenging at times, but it gave her a purpose. She had more pseudo-grandchildren through this and that felt good. God was begining to put the pieces in place for her to find purpose and community.
A few weeks ago, an empty lot became available around the corner from our house. Closed, sealed bids were submitted. A total of 4 were received. Each of the close by neighbors put in bids, hoping to keep the land from being used by someone that would just 'stick a trailer house on it'. That doesn't really fit with the historic feel of our town, so I would agree on that point. Mom's bid was the highest, and we were all so excited to have a new land-owner in our home. She was initally excited at first also, but then then I think she became nervous. Living here in my house has been temporary, but to own land of her own was much more permanent. She had to go back to Queen City because my dad got worse. I know it was confusing for her to be there, in her home that she had worked so hard to maintain for the past 39 years. She called one day and told me that this was her kitchen, her living room, her home...in her voice I heard such conflict. She needed to have release from that place. She was able to live there by herself, sure, but was this the right and best thing for her to do? Out the window would go those that called her Grandma. No place for her to serve at her old church...those spots had been filled in her 15 month absence. A house filled with memories that were often painful, just to live there alone? I was so worried that she would decide to stay. I struggled with allowing her to be the adult that she is, to give her the room to choose on her own, to respect the position she had earned in life from 68 years of living it. I tried not to push to hard, but I know that I failed at times. It was the most odd position I have found myself in to date. Child, but directing the parent...no fun at all.
She called me after being there for several days with my dad to say "I am coming home...I am just tired of being here". This was music to my ears. I felt that God had given her some type of release. Kyle had begun to work with Travis on her lot. Mom had already spent hours there, cleaning, sweating and planning. With Travis' bulldozer, her plans moved more quickly. They cleared and burned the lot. The visions of what could be became more clear. The ideas of how it would look and where things would go were flowing. Excitement began to build again!
Yesterday, we went to Warrenton. We had already shopped for a while when I rounded a corner and found it. The cutest gas stove (1920's) that I had seen in a while...a great price and in great shape. I tried to think about where I might be able to use it...no, no need for it really. I called Kyle to tell him about it. He agreed that there was no place or need for it. He did say, "But your mom might consider it for her house..." I called Mom over, she saw it and began to think about it. We asked the man about it and he dropped the price by $75 right away. More discussion...and then a purchase!! It will be the focal point of the kitchen. It will actually be the thing that it all gets built around. Exciting!!
On the way home, we made another stop and she found a metal cabinet that might go with it. Later, we got the idea to possibly include an old fridge as a cabinet. The boards and nails will come soon, but until then- planning. So many ideas, so much hope!
What are the building blocks that can form a new life? I have found in this case that they are a church that loves you, children, a dayschool, a plot of land, and an antique stove. God can use anything He would like to to rebuild. So thankful for a God with a plan like that. Jeremiah 29:11 says " For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." My mom is living proof of this!
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