Grandma Ruthie's Birthday

My Grandmother's birthday is today. She was born in 1927...and would have turned 84. This photo was taken on her 80th--the last birthday party she enjoyed on this earth. She was a funny duck...if I remember correctly, she even slipped out and left this party early so she wouldn't have to drive home in the dark...or to watch football...I can't remember which!

But it's amazing to me how many ways she lives on in our lives. So many little sayings that just come as easy as breathing in and out are followed by me reminding my children "you know who always said this?" or "that's straight from Grandma Ruth!". "Booty Ma'amer" is the most used one...it means it's darn tootin' cold outside and I guess it started when I was visiting her one winter...younger than my little Zane and called her Ma'amer. I keep lists like her, I wear her jewelry regularly, my purse is compartmentalized just like she kept hers and when I remember, I grab her bowling shoes to slip on when we go. I've even been tempted to by some warm and fuzzy snow boots like she loved...but am not sure I'd wear them with my sweatpants.

Last week we were out visiting family in Wichita and one of my cousins that came to the annual "Snook Bowling Christmas" surprised me by a line of questioning that sounded like it came straight from Grandma's mouth. She was a little shocked when I told her that was just what Ruthie always would ask me! Later that night, my sister commented on how she noticed that very same cousin with identical mannerisms to Grandma...I shared my story and we laughed--not at our cousin, but at how much you just never know where the essence of our Grandma is going to show up!

On the day after Thanksgiving, I went out for some mega-shopping. I'd gone at midnight with a friend to get some deals, but then again super-early on my own. Every store I entered was filled with groups of people, mostly women, looking similar, laughing, enjoying the time just being together. I felt the twang of moments lost. I'm not near my mom or my sisters so some days my heart twists just a bit at the longing for sharing those times with them. On my 20 minute drive up to another shopping area the tears came. Sometimes I'm really lonely. Yes, even surrounded by friends at every corner, that emptiness can creep in and settle for a bit. I had the radio on, tuned to KLOVE with Christmasy tunes one after another. The DJ spoke: "Isn't it wonderful that because of our great Savior we can truly say that everyday is Thanksgiving". I stopped and marveled. Grandma Ruth said that "everyday is .... Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, your Birthday" all the time! So much that it would actually get annoying and I remember replying to her on more than one occasion that NO, it is not everyday, Grandma!

Ahh, Ruthie, speaking to me even through the radio...telling me to dry those tears and be glad for where I am now. And I am glad that she is still here, living on in my heart, while truly living in the presence of the King. Happy Birthday Grandma...I'll be listening. Love, Resa Ruth

And she lives on...

I received a big box of unused note cards, stationary and greeting cards from my Grandma Ruthie's estate. The last couple days I've been sorting through them and have found mingled with in the many, many envelopes (ack!) trademark Ruthie notecards with little diddies wrote on them, various articles, old Christmas letters from family and friends and a few letters from me, my sisters and cousins.

I thought sharing a few of the contents of one little ziplock baggie might be entertaining for ya...as well as give you a glimpse of what you could always expect along with your next love-gift from Ruth (wrapped in a plastic grocery bag, of course):

Rules for Living Each Day (handwritten on a note card)...(BTW I received a card with these rules so many times that they always come to mind almost every time I mop/shower/get gas etc...):

1. Scrub only when the sun is shining
2. Don't fish when the wind is in the North
3. Don't let your gas tank go below 1/2 full
4. Make your bed and put on clean underwear before you leave home
5. Always dry the nape of your neck first after showering
6. Always eat applesauce when eating fat or fried foods
7. On a heavy, rainy day: play a game, stay in bed or sew
8. Always place toilet paper roll with wipe-side next to the wall--Military Rule!

Next up was a wallet-sized picture of the infamous picture of Jesus standing at the door and knocking...Job 23:10 on the back.






A couple math puzzlers: Take your age--multiply by 2; add 5; multiply by 50. Subtract 365; add loose change in your pocket, under a dollar; add 115 and the first two figures are the answer to your age and the last 2 the change in your pocket!

Would you want $312,000.00 or 1 penny each day for 30 days & double it each day--figure it out!

A copy of a newspaper article about the history of the Star Spangled Banner.

Three letters from different grandchildren...Paige, Pud and Leslie.

Finally, my favorite, typed and ready to hand out:

Christmas Greetings

I'm sending this note to remind you
That taxes have taken away
The things I find most essential
My workshop, my reindeer, my sleigh.

Now I'm making my rounds on a donkey
He's old, crippled and slow.
So, if you don't see me at Christmas
I'm out on my ASS in the snow...
**** ***** *****

What else is there to say? That's all folks!

The Blood and The Wine

The sacrament of communion is one of those things I think we will never fully understand while here in this life. Lately it has become infused with an even deeper sense of meaningfulness that stems from part of the portrait of my Grandma Ruth as told by her pastor at her funeral.

He said that to Ruth, communion never seemed just a simple ritual, instead she approached the table each week with reverence. The Sunday before she passed away, he observed her as she received the bread and the cup...there she paused, thoughtful. She took the bread and then turned to the cross and held up her cup as in a salute to Christ, perhaps knowing that soon she would be in his arms and enjoying Him for eternity. What an image this simple story has painted on my heart!

I have received communion 2 or 3 times since and the power of the cross and revelation of Christ--His love of having such a personal relationship with each of us...and my grandmother's peace and confidence in this friendship--have moved me to tears and an overwhelming gush of emotion each time. Partially, I'm sure this is part of the grieving process for me, although I think communion will never be the same in my life.

There is a song by Nicole Nordeman titled Legacy. I love this song on many different levels...as a mother, sister, friend, sister-in-Christ...but today my mind is drawn to it in thinking of Grandma. Here are the lyrics and you can listen to a snip of the chorus here if you click on the icon beside the song...it's number 7:

I don’t mind if you’ve got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who’s who and so-n-so’s that used to be the best
At such’n’such … it wouldn’t matter much

I won’t lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an ‘Atta boy’ or ‘Atta girl’
But in the end I’d like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don’t have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It’s an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, “Well Done” good and faithful one…

Nicole Nordeman- Legacy