FOND MEMORIES...IN THAT HOME

"In that home we knew we were safe. To be young enough to dream. Find the faith to believe. And in that home, love, it had no end. It's where we learned to forgive. In that home."

Those are some of the lyrics from a new Newsboys song called "n That Home. I was driving to my parent's home in South Park a couple weeks ago, listening to that song and tears rolled down my cheeks. During this time of year, I (Annice) tend to think back on my childhood and memories of going to my Pappy & Grandma Lily's home for the holidays. She would cook tons of food, enough to feed the entire neighborhood, and even made certain foods for certain people.

I remember driving up to their home in Homer City, PA every Thanksgiving. I would always ask, "How many traffic lights until we are there?" Finally, we would pass the smoke stacks and I knew we would be at their home in under 10 minutes. When we arrived, I would get out and rush into the house to see that my Grandfather had the Thanksgiving parade on and my Grandmother was in the kitchen working on our meal. I would get hugs and scratchy kisses from my Grandfather, whom hadn't shaved in a few days. My Grandmother would greet me with some sort of food to sample. In that home, there was love, a feeling of safety, happiness, and family. 

We would eat between lunch and dinner...always! I helped set tables, put out the food, make the salad dressing, cut bread, etc. I loved being my Grandmother's assistant every year. We would eat buffet style. It would never cease to amaze me the different people that showed up each year. My Grandmother, before retiring, worked at IUP's cafeteria and would invite students and co-workers, that didn't have family around, to join us for our Thanksgiving meal. After the meal, my Grandfather would begin washing the dishes with the help of some of us little ones or our parents.

Listening to the conversations, hearing the laughter and watching the smiles on people's faces made it all worth it for my Grandmother. In their home, I learned so many life lessons. Some of which I didn't realize until I sat down to write this blog post today. My Grandparent's marriage was an amazing example of marriage to me up until, and including, the day of my Grandfather's viewing. My Grandmother, to me, is a great example of a Proverbs 31 woman.

15 She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”   

"In that home we knew we were safe. To be young enough to dream. Find the faith to believe. And in that home, love, it had no end. It's where we learned to forgive. In that home."

To be continued.... 

Heavenly Father,
As we approach the coming holiday season, I ask that you comfort those who have lost loved ones and cause those precious memories, of those we lost, to come to the surface. Help us to acknowledge all that You have done for us in our lives...the things that we are thankful for, good or bad. Knowing that You are using those things to chisel us in to the masterpiece You have planned. Lord God, I love you and am so thankful for my health, family, friends, home, children...but most of all, for your Son, Christ Jesus, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Sins that, at times, make us feel like we cannot go on any longer...that life and our loved ones would be better without us on this earth. Hold fast, my Sisters-in-Christ, Jesus Christ will return and rescue His Princesses from this fallen world.
In Christ's name, Amen

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