Remembering Grandma

Judy A.W. (November 7, 1941 – January 22, 2024)

Sunflowers, Proverbs 3:5-6, chicken decor, a house set at 80 plus degrees Fahrenheit, Mac’s Drive-In hamburgers, and the strong smell of freshly brewed Columbian coffee from Knowlen and Yates, “strong enough to put hair on your chest” she’d always say…those were some of my grandma’s favorites. The beautiful thing about getting to know someone we love is that when those things they enjoyed so much show up within our view they serve as sweet God-wink reminders of our loved ones.

I feel graciously blessed that when I consider the roots of my faith, where it all began, I’m directed to my Grandma Judy’s own faith. Her love for Jesus, and commitment to attending church faithfully each Sunday, sparked a flame within my mom, dad, brothers and my heart.. and over the years (for myself) that flame gradually grew. It wasn’t until my late 20s that it finally ignited with a genuine zeal, surely my grandma prayed that day would come.

The most precious of our times, more recently, had been of me reading scripture and praying with my grandma and the peace that flooded over her, I can’t even begin to describe.

Last Saturday, what a bittersweet joy we experienced as a family with my grandma at the nursing home as we spent the full day with her. She knew her journey this side of Heaven was nearing an end, and she humbly and bravely called each of us to her bedside, profoundly declaring love and thankfulness over each of us being there beside her to spend those last moments together.

Throughout the day there was a mixture of laughter and tears, though my grandma was fading I know she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Her most treasured hymns played softly in the background. She even gently sang along to a few of the lyrics with me.

In her younger years, my grandma always enjoyed getting all gussied up so we painted her fingernails her favorite light shade of purple. She was encouraged and reminded of the wonderful role she’d served as grandma in our lives. We shared with her ways that she’d touched our heart in life changing ways, she no doubt felt love bigger than any pain she was experiencing.

Saturday was such a bittersweet chapter in my grandma’s story and we will continually reflect upon it as we mourn the loss of our beloved gal.

Sunday came and with it Grandma Judy had settled into a comfortable and peaceful state. Her eyes remained closed and her voice had been replaced with soft breaths rising and falling. We continually encouraged her up until her final moment at 1:20 early last Monday morning.

True to my grandma’s humble spirit, very quietly and gently she transitioned from an earthly life to an eternal Heavenly one. It still feels a bit surreal to me.

As I look back, I’m reminded that those final days with my grandma honestly felt like my family, with our grandma, were the only ones in the nursing home. It felt like nothing else was occurring outside of our little love-filled room. Sure a few nurses would step in and out and all of them were so kind, respectful, and caring but as far as anything outside those walls, I just feel like life was on pause out there.

I’ve been curious about this and I’ve asked, “Lord, what was up with that?” And the repetitive answer in the solace of my heart I’m getting is this, “that’s what enjoying and living in the moment feels like, Alicia.”

My mind wasn’t distracted by a thousand wonders. My hands weren’t busy with multi-tasking. It was just me simply being in the very presence of God’s flawless alignment, focused on the blessing of family memories He had at hand.

And it felt good.

I’m at peace, and am grateful, knowing that I was fully in the place God wanted me. How often I run at “Alicia-pace” forgetting to slow down and allow our Father to have His way and His timing. Even in her final moments, my grandma was tugging my heart for the betterment of myself, teaching and pointing me to Jesus’ perfect will…what a wonderful testimony she’s imprinted over my own faith, such a legacy of Christian leadership she’s leaving behind…

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Author: alimw2013

About For His Purpose~ My name is Alicia and I'm a thirty-something year old who loves Jesus. Only through God’s amazing grace and mercy I have been redeemed from past regret and shame. Reading His word has allowed me to look past Satan’s forceful lies, to see myself for who Christ says I am in Him. Through writing I have learned why I made the choices I made in my younger years and I now have a better understanding of why I desire to love God like crazy these days. Despite my daily failures, God remains faithful always. I am reassured of His unconditional love for me by every ink-drop spilled out on paper, each committed prayer as I cry out to Him, and deep understanding reflected through reading His word as truth. Yes keeping a blog will make me vulnerable to others’ opinions- there will be some who don’t understand, some who may criticize or judge, but on the other hand if just one piece expressed through my writing grabs someone’s attention and directs them to God, then pouring out my heart in a blog for the world to read is worth it. I choose to glorify Him alone through words streaming across a glowing screen. And it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t reveal the fact that I’m incredibly quirky; I’m my loving husband’s best friend, my vivacious kids’ craziest cheerleader and spiritual trainer (3 John 1:4). I love anything farmhouse and rustic style. I think cupping a warm coffee mug in the palm of my hands is more satisfying than the contents within. I share a common obsession with my husband for the mountains, but I would (without a doubt) settle for waves crashing against my legs at the Atlantic Ocean just as well, and I almost always have a Yorkie curled up on my lap while writing. *All photos are photographed by forhispurpose.blog and therefore may not be stored or photocopied in any manner.

27 thoughts on “Remembering Grandma”

  1. This is a beautiful post and so eye opening. Praise God for the blessing of your grandmother, she sounds like she was a true gift from God ❤️. My grandmother is so near and dear to me as well and has played a huge part in my faith especially from my childhood. I hope that whenever that transition comes for me and my family I can have this peace and joy that surpasses understanding. If you don’t mind even if it’s once pray for me, I fight a lot of fear consistently on the thought of losing my grandmother… i mean look my brain even refers to it as “losing” but yeah Lord willing the transition won’t happen for a long time but whenever it does, I hope it’s graceful and peaceful and full of Jesus.. Anyway I love your post and even though I don’t know you, i’m glad you are well 🫶🏽

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    1. Thank you for reading, I’m glad this post touched your heart. I just prayed for you and will continue to lift you up in prayer over your own grandma. I know not all grandchildren get the experience of a sweet grandparent in their life but boy I had a good one, and it sounds like you do too. While you still have your grandma make it a point to spend time with her and don’t be afraid to tell her how much she means to you. It will bring both of you joy and love. Take care.❤️

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  5. I’m sorry, Alicia. I know you will always miss your Grandmother. But it’s beautiful to look at all the gifts in your life, such as the special relationship she held in your heart, the beautiful time you and your family had with her in her last hours, and the knowledge that you will see her again. I am sending hugs your way. And praying for you and your family. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt message with us. ♥️

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    1. Thank you, Bridget!!
      Something I found interesting is that WordPress of course links a person’s similar posts and I’m amazed at how many I have about my grandma. It’s been sweet to look back and see that I wrote quite a few posts regarding that sweet lady!!❤️

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  6. So sorry to hear Alicia. The special bond you shared with her is something you will hold in your heart as you will keep remembering her. Thank you for sharing how beautifully you spend her last moments.
    Sending you hugs and prayers.

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  8. Such a beautiful post overflowing with love…I read a quote yesterday that was from Billy Graham: “The moment we take our last breath on earth, we take our first breath in heaven.” Your grandmother breathed her last breath here surrounded by love. How ready she was for that next breath in heaven…at home with God and in everlasting peace. You are right about the God-winks and it is such an incredible blessing.

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    1. I love that quote by Billy Graham, what a beautiful thought of truth.

      It’s funny because speaking of God-winks I showed up to substitute teach today and there happens to be a sunflower background on the promethium board, my grandma’s favorite flower. ❤️

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  9. What a testament to the peace that surpasses all understanding–even in death! Thank you for sharing your bittersweet experience, Alicia. I too was blessed with two grandmothers who loved Jesus, nurtured my faith, and showered me with love. To this day, decades after each graduated to heaven, I find those sweet God-winks that remind me of them. And I smile.

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  10. Alicia, this is truly one of the most touching, honest-filled posts I have ever read. I know there’s so much inside of you from that day you have not been able to put into words. And that’s okay. Those are little keepsakes, treasured that are too close to the heart. You walked her to the gates, dear girl. Blessed are you.

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    1. Thank you, Alan for your kind words, and for just simply getting it… you’re right there’s a lot of memories from those last few days with my grandma that I haven’t quite found the words for, but my heart knows how cherished they are, and will continue to be.

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