Friday, April 24, 2009

A Grandmother's Legacy

After my parents divorced, we moved to the corner of my grandparents' farm.

Not a day went by that we didn't zip down their leafy drive, sneak a Hershey's kiss from the blue-and-white crock on the counter, and hope for a compliment (or two).

Grandmother was a generous person, but never more so than with her encouragement.

My everyday prayer is to spend cheer so lavishly on my own children.

Creativity, confidence, time and praise: cost nothing, require no space, and are remembered forever.

34 comments:

Michelle @ Give a Girl a Fig said...

That's so beautiful..there's nothing like encouragement. And grandparent's are so good for that!

Shannon said...

This was such a wonderful reminder to me this morning. I am so very blessed to still have both of my grandmothers. My mother's mother is especially encouraging to me. I'm really encouraged to spend more time with her - for her sake and mine:)

Joan said...

What a lovely tribute to your grandmother and what a lovely gift she gave you to pass on to your children.

Also, the pound cake is very pretty with the violets around the base. I sometimes put flowers in a small vase that fits inside the hole in the cake, which I think is also pretty.

A. said...

Well that is just plain lovely. What a sweet and wonderful sentiment.

Emily said...

I don't think you need us to tell you that you are living that out every moment. You aren't just passing it on to your children either. You are passing it on and encouraging so many through this blog. Your grandmother would surely be proud.

Emily@remodeling this life

Roxie700 said...

That is how I feel about my dear grandmother. She lived in Houston and I lived in Pflugerville (about 160 miles apart) I spent every single summer with her. She was so sweet, so kind, and I never ever heard her say an unkind word about anyone. She had values that she taught me. She knew an education was so very important because she was pulled out of school at the tender age of 9 and put to work picking cotton. Her father had died and left 9 kids behind. They really almost starved.
Thank you Meredith for your example. I am sure the love you have for your family will shine for years and years. Blessings Roxie

Missy K said...

Meredith-- thank you so much for this-- such good truth here-- and why, whatever our means, our kids need never feel deprived of anything they really need.

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

Lovely thoughts! And what a sweet legacy.

Rebecca of "Ezra Pound Cake" said...

Love the Hershey's kiss! My grandmother used to grab a metal measuring cup and dip it into a crock full of M&Ms when we got there. Such luxury.

Amanda on Maui said...

God, that makes me want to cry this morning. I miss all of my grandmothers.

{darlene} said...

this post alone is so encouraging! thanks.

Tesa said...

Thank you for this priceless reminder.

50s Housewife said...

Excellent reminder! Thank you!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Meredith, I wrote a post last year as a tribute to my grandmother.
The title was "The Encourager"
That is what she was and I miss her everyday. I want to do the same thing with my children and grandchildren

Nancy said...

Very thoughtful and so true. What a great reminder to lavish compliments on those we love.

Stacey said...

What a wonderful post. I have sweet memories of my grandmother too. There's nothing sweeter than a granny!

Stacey said...

What a wonderful post. I have sweet memories of my grandmother too. There's nothing sweeter than a granny!

Amanda said...

That's so beautiful! I love your sweet words. Grandparents can be so wonderful!

Cynthia said...

What beautiful memories! Isn't it great how grandparents always have encouragement...and candy?! That picture is just lovely, too.

Carrien Blue said...

It seems to me that you are a lot like your grandmother already. :)

Thanks for the sweet post.

ancient one said...

My grandmother was like that... I like to think that I'm an encourager! Your cake makes me hungry!

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

What a wonderful memory. My own grandparents were a wonderful blessing as well. They were great examples, weren't they!

Nicola said...

what a sweet memory and thoughtful reminder. thank you.
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com

amy said...

what a beautiful sentiment!

peace,
amy

Willo said...

That is truly beautiful!!!

Tubo Family said...

I think your blog as well as your mothering are beautiful tributes to your grandmother. How wonderful that you are sharing the blessings she gave you. As a child I often dreamed of having grandparents in my daily life.

Edi said...

From the time I was 8 until I moved away from home - I lived less than a block down the street from my grandma. Many time I'd pop over after school or on a Sunday and she'd ALWAYS put on the tea kettle and we'd drink tea from her selection of very fancy tea cups. She had beautiful flowers in her garden and would often send me home with a cutting of sweet peas or some other flowers.

I wish my kids could have that kind of close relationship with their grandparents - but one set lives 3 hrs away and the other set lives 18 hrs away.

Renee said...

Just Beautiful!

Penny said...

Beautiful, thank you for sharing this lovely thought and tribute :)

Jackie said...

Beautiful!

God bless.

Karen said...

Loved this post!

Encouragement is so powerful. Thanks for sharing this.

Workin' MAMA! said...

Meredith - Today is my wedding anniversary and I'm having the time of my life away with my hubby this weekend at a riverhouse resort! God is here -

Your post is very delightful, as I knew it would be -
Grannies are the best and know just what to say to a little girl with sunshine in her eyes - where her only concern is "Can I get a piece of german chocolate cake, grandma?"
She saw potential in me and her influence on me will last forever and a day -

Thanks again for your post -
Latrice!

An Adventurer in the World said...

What a beautiful reminder of the power of encouragement.

And, perhaps, the story of the beginning of your love of blue and white dishes : )

deb meyers

Elizabeth Murray said...

Do you mind? I'm sending this quote to every mother I know! On long summer days after we do every craft and go on every adventure, and then no one but mom wants a nap...this is a great reminder of what we are doing.