Roses In December

It was a few winters ago that...

I was helping my dad shovel snow from my deceased grandparents’ old home. My mind was filled with memories in the short time I was there. Memories of how I would go in their backyard and throw a baseball in the air, pretending that I was going to make the greatest catch of all time; when it happened, I could hear the crowd roaring in amazement. Memories of my grandpa staying up until 4 am and sleeping until 1 pm, which I get it, that’s weird. When he woke up, he would make some of the best breakfasts I have ever eaten; his potatoes were my very favorite, with ketchup, obviously. Grammy always had a lot of health problems, but even lying in bed, she always had a lot of spirit and energy.

I remember when she died in September of 2003. That was the first death of a family member I had ever experienced, and just thinking about the suddenness of her departure makes me a little emotional. She had the biggest heart. They say you can tell if a person is humble by whether or not you leave their presence encouraged or discouraged. That makes Grammy a humble person. She was quick to listen, loved to laugh, and loved to make others laugh. She would always pray for whatever you needed prayer for because she loved you. I miss her; she was an awesome friend. She knew Jesus Christ as her personal Savior, and she and I will be reunited together again someday soon.

Grandpa was in a big hurry to go nowhere fast. To the outsider, it would be incredibly annoying and overwhelming how slow the man moved. But the more I knew him as I got older, the more beauty I found in the fact that he wasn’t bothered by what others thought of him. In a day and a world where it’s all about image, he just took his sweet old time, would turn around and smile at you with his cheesy grin, and continue at his own convenience.

I remember the night Grandpa died. I was traveling across Pennsylvania and got home at about 2 am. He was lying on a bed in my parents’ house, slowly fading away. He couldn’t talk. I walked into the room and prayed for him, and told him, “Go home and see Grammy.” He understood me and grunted as if to say, “You’re right, Jake. I’m going home.” He died only a few short hours later. Grandpa knew Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, and he and I will be reunited together again someday soon.

When Grammy was on her deathbed, I remember hearing my grandpa sobbing, encouraging her to “go home, Ruthie.” What a beautiful thing for a man to love a woman so deeply that, well after 50 years of marriage, he was shaken at his core to lose the love of his life. I can only imagine the special moment it was for them as they both stood before God Almighty, free from pain, hurt, and sickness, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

There I stood that afternoon. The house is old and run down; it was actually always like that :) Trees were cut down, snow was everywhere, and the house was vacant. My dad recently shared a great old saying with me, which, by the way, if you know me, you know I love a good old quote. He said, “Memories are roses in December.” In other words, memories are the most beautiful things to possess, even in the darkest and coldest moments of our lives. Yes, the trees were gone. The house was empty and cold from the ice and snowy conditions. But if I stared long enough and thought deep enough, I could see a little blonde-haired kid throwing a ball in the air, pretending that he was the greatest of all time. I could see an old woman, tired and sick, but by no means sick and tired. I could see her praying, praying for her grandkids to grow up and love Jesus. After a little extra time, I could see a slow poke named Dale waking up at 1:00 pm to make his grandson an extremely LATE breakfast.

All of that to say this: cling to your memories. Hold them close to your heart. Enjoy the little moments with friends and family. Be yourself. Pray for the hearts of others. Make them a late breakfast. Make them laugh, and give them your heart!

Thanks, Grandpa and Grammy, thanks for the memories, thanks for the prayers, and thanks for loving Jesus.

I'll see you guys again someday soon :)

June 24, 1943

1991