"For I Was An Hungered..."

And ye gave me meat: I was a stranger and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me…And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”  Matt. 25:35-40

Grandma, I love you!  Honestly, I don’t know who I would have become and where I would be if it were not for you. You are a perfect example of this scripture. What a blessing you have been to me.  Your amazing strength and compassion has literally saved my life.

People laugh when they see my baby blanket.  I giggle when I show them my 34-year-old treasure that now looks like a tiny rat’s nest of strings. But the story behind the smile isn’t really funny. I don’t know how many days and nights I spent out in the cold; I know that I was hungry; and I know that I was a precious little girl living in a drug infested world filled with physical, mental and emotional abuse. Thank heaven for my blanket and thank heaven for my grandmother.

Grandma already raised her three daughters; she called me number four.  It took four tries to finally get my name right when she would call me.  Grandma was my comfort when my mom was on a drug binge and could not be found.  She took me in from the streets, fed me, sheltered me and taught me right from wrong.  I found peace in her arms and joy in her sweet kisses.

I was taught the value of work, family, virtue, church, cooking and family recipes. My grandmother took me to school and church and eventually taught me responsibility and independence. All of these things may sound ordinary to the average person, but not to someone like me who lived through so much hardship.  Because of grandma, I am strong and have self worth.

I learned a lot about loving others unconditionally; seeing the positive things in people and in life. This understanding has helped me to turn my opinions and actions around. I received much counsel from her as she would tell me what she would do in certain situations, but she allowed me to make my own decisions and never judged me when I made my choice.

Grandma also taught me how to stand up for what is right and stand up against those who would harm me and others. These lessons have given me the ability to be a good judge of character.  With this knowledge, I am able to help others with their challenges in life. 

Now that I am grown there is not one day that goes by that I don’t think of her.  Grandma, you have served me my whole life. Your advanced stage of Alzheimer Disease has blessed me with the opportunity to give service to you in your time of need. You cannot speak to me or wrap your arms around me anymore, but your spirit is strong and sweet and ever-so-much an influence in my life.  I want you to know that you are a precious gift from God! You bring out in me the tender emotions and compassion allowing me to love and understand my own children, something I would struggle with if it were not for the example of motherhood that you have shown me. It’s my turn to feed and clothe you.  It is a blessing to comfort you in my arms and in my sweet kisses bring you joy.

Contributed by  Jessica from California