Not much pulls at my heart-strings than seeing the relationships between the younger generations and the older generations.
It is almost as though for a bit of time...two very different worlds meet and the ones who are blessed enough to have each other for any amount of time...be it years or minutes...seem to glean treasures untold!!
Over the years, I have been touched by my Twinsie who has such a tender heart toward the elderly. She has taught me more than she will ever know...especially when it came to her dear friend, Iona.
I must admit there were times I caught myself rolling my eyes as she would describe the plans she had for Iona for the day. There were certainly times I felt like she should just stay home and take a nap while her baby napped as opposed to having tea with her friend. There were moments when I thought that maybe she was giving too much and needed to slow down in the "taking care of department". BUT, was I ever wrong.
The friendship grew and became a blessing neither would be willing to give up on...not for a second. What an incredible gift they shared as Iona so willingly shared her life with that of a young momma and her baby.
Iona is now celebrating LIFE in heaven as my sweet sissy misses her daily.
I say, if you are needing a new friend...pray about it. Maybe a lonely, gramma lady is praying for a new friend who will include her in the life of her younger family. What a lovely thought for them to be sought after and needed. After all...friendships that are unexpected are the ones I believe are gifts sent from GOD. Do you know how I know? They are tenderly gift wrapped by the hands of the maker of the universe. A very unique gift indeed!
This is her reflection:
"As Landen and I
sit down to write this letter to you, we are awed at the deep imprint of
friendship you have left on our lives.
I'll never forget
the day we first met. We had just moved out to Scappoose and were your new
neighbors at the duplex. I was eight months pregnant with Landen, and feeling
overwhelmed with life. You immediately took me under your wing, and endeared
yourself to me.
We started out
with daily early morning walks around the block that by the end of summer had
turned into two hour “walk-a-thons”.
We laughed, shared
stories, talked about childhoods, exchanged recipes, and you never failed in
helping me prepare for the arrival of Landen.
We always enjoyed
you retelling the story of your first glimpse of Landen. He was on his blanket,
and as soon as he heard your voice, he moved his head to look at you, and your
eyes met. That was all it took. From that moment on, you two shared a bond! We
still took our daily walks, no matter the weather. You reassured me that it
really was okay to take Landen out into the cold and rain. Oh, what a a sight
we must have been as we walked the streets in our mix-matched sweatshirts, coats, sweatpants,
and a baby in the stroller with garbage bags over the bottom part of his
blankets to keep him from getting soaked!!
As Landen grew,
you would come get him and take him next door to your house so I could nap, and
then you would feed him most evenings while I was getting dinner ready. You
spoiled us!
At the age of 18
months, I started in the care giving of my grandma, and that was another
adventure which you shared in. You became a friend to grandma, and were always
available to help in any way you could. She too loved you!!
One day when
Landen was talking about how many grandmas he had, I was trying to explain that
you weren't his “ real” grandma. After
hearing my explanation, Landen looked up at me and emphatically proclaimed “ But Mommy, Nona is my real grandma! ”. That
was the end... in his mind and heart, you were his grandma. End of discussion.
Never again was it a matter of question... you were his!!
At the very
essence of this letter, it is our desire to express the gratitude our family
has towards you, and the legacy with which you graced us in the sixteen years
we knew you. In everything you did and
said, it was in the true gift of time and unconditional friendship that you
gifted us.
Never were you too
busy to encourage, listen, and invest in our lives. We each felt that when we
were with you, time stopped, and we were given your undivided attention.
We love you Nona,
and are thankful for you and the time God granted to us to be a part of your
life."
Laura Stroh
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