HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I have a week ahead of me filled with family gatherings! Actually, they began this past Saturday! When family gathers in on Thursday, we begin three full days of fun! Last year, we all went on a hayride to visit the homeplace of my precious Grandmother. I wrote about that experience, and want to share it here with you. God has blessed me with precious, precious family, and I DO NOT take that lightly! May your Thanksgiving be filled with praise!!

THANKSGIVING THROUGH HER EYES

Light drizzle and cool breezes didn’t dampen our spirits as we climbed onto the hay wagon. Grandmother was taking us on a visit – a visit back in time to the place of her childhood. Her daughters eagerly looked forward to once again visiting the beloved home site of their own grandparents. It was, in a very real sense, a trip back in time.

It only took a moment to release the locked gate and enter the drive that took us to the doorstep of the old home place. Wild bamboo, a myriad of trees and a host of weeds now covered much of the building, but the house was there, the open doorway and stone steps beckoning each of us to enter a time and place long ago dear to our precious Grandmother. It only took one full look into Grandmother’s face and into her eyes to know that in her heart, she had come home for a visit.

Suddenly hearts and minds were flooded with memories and Grandmother, Granddaddy and each of their daughters began sharing the sights and sounds of yesteryear…

Over there is the tree that my brother and I used to climb in. A barn used to be there, and I remember when Daddy used to…Here is the syrup mill. Daddy used to plant…. Over here is the branch. We used to dam up the water and go swimming…Mother loved the fireplace, it was so big and warm. We had a cookstove too, and mother would stand on the steps and call us to supper. We could hear her voice no matter where we were. I remember feeding toads with my brother on those steps right there…

On and on the memories poured forth. Four generations of family walked over the property, snapped pictures and shared stories, creating their own precious memories of a time and place that will remain dear to them as the years pass by. And yet…

Grandmother’s eyes filled with unshed tears. No doubt she was remembering all those dear to her heart who were now gone from her life. Perhaps, in those moments of memory heaven seemed a bit dearer. Yet as she looked about her, surrounded by those of us who love and cherish her presence, her laughter and her unending stories she uttered a prayer…

A prayer that somehow, in the heart of each of us, we too have somehow absorbed this place into our own memories and will pass it on to those yet to become a part of her family in generations she will never know. And perhaps, when time has ended and this earth has passed away, we will once again gather as family at Jesus’ feet and remember this precious time of Thanksgiving.