Friday’s Favourite | My Grandma F

One of my favourite things about coming home is getting to visit my Grandma.  She’s vibrant and lovable, a prayer-warrior and a great game strategist.  Today in fact, she put mom and I in our place while playing cards.  Mom and I thought she’d overlooked a major move she could make, so we both hinted at the opportunity.  We don’t do that often because she’s usually as vigilant as a one-eyed hawk, but this move was so blatantly obvious, it seemed cruel to let her pass it by.  When she realised that we were trying to coach her into a move, she informed us that her hesitation was perfectly legit–if she didn’t play the card we hoped she would, she’d be able to thwart mom’s next move!!!  Shame on us for doubting the sharp-as-a-tack strategies that my 93-year old grandmother can boast of.  Except that she wouldn’t, ’cause she’s so humble.

If there was one thing about my Grandma that I hope to pass on to my kids and grandkids one day, it’d be her love of classic hymns.  Up until recently she still played for the residents’ choir at the assisted care home where she lives, and not too long ago she was traveling to another care home in town, to play for their residents.  Sometimes, at the behest of others, she leaves her door open so other residents can hear her play.  She’s only ever had a few lessons and yet has played for choirs and churches, family and friends, on both piano and organ, for decades.  She can play by ear and transpose on the spot, but hates playing more than a few sharps!  Her old worn hymnals are dog-eared and yellowed; bobby pins clipped to the top of the pages mark her favourites.  She and I both share a great love for “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.  Grandma claims that she has the appetite of a teenager, but she also plays piano with as much verve and dynamism as someone a fraction of her age.  Her gnarled fingers dance along the keys emphatically pounding out chords and adding flourishes and trills wherever she sees fit.  She plays the way I cook–the result is different every time.

I LOVE this amazing woman of faith!!!  And now that I’ve written all this, I want to pay tribute to my grandparents on the other side!  I’ll have to feature them in another Friday’s Favourite.

And speaking of this new little tradition I’m in the process of forming, I seriously cannot believe how difficult I’m finding it to make Friday’s Favourite happen.  That said, there’s no way I’m bailing.  I love that it forces me to add a more personal element to my blog, as well as do something with the photos that have nothing to do with work.  Also, I’ve already heard I have a few followers for this feature!  Thanks for letting me know…it’s great encouragement to keep on trucking.  Know what else I need some encouragement with?  The goal I set two months ago to be able to do 100 full sit-ups and 100 ‘man’ pushups by July 1.  Haha…2 weeks to go and what am I at?  40 sit-ups and 20 pushups.  Oops.  Anyone care to offer me a little incentive?  Just joking…er, well half-joking!

Anyway, here’s to my Grandma F!  Ich liebe dich Grandma!

PS  I LOVE the fact that every time I see my Grandma F she’s wearing the pearls I brought back from China for her.  Sometimes she even falls asleep with them on.  Now that’s one classy Mennonite lady!