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Losing Granny
by Karen Ledbetter (Karen's bio)
Lisa sat alone in a corner, nervously twisting her long auburn hair, as aunts and uncles entered the Coronary Care Waiting Room. Granny had suffered a bad heart attack. The doctors and nurses were doing all they could, but there was little hope that Granny would survive.
Lisa prayed silently, "Dear God, please don't let Granny die."
A few hours later, the doctor entered the waiting room with the news that Granny had died. Lisa could no longer hold back her tears.
"Dear God," she prayed, "I know Granny's in Heaven with you, but what will I do without her?"
After talking with the doctors and signing papers, Lisa's family left the hospital.
Lisa, with Mandy, her black longhaired kitten, at her heels, walked down the front steps and across the yard. Granny had lived in the tiny four-room house beside Lisa and her parents. The August sun warmed Lisa's bronzed skin as she strolled through Granny's colorful and fragrant rose garden. A whippoorwill called in the distance. Lisa had spent countless hours with Granny, tending these lovely roses and chatting. How she loved Granny and these roses! She wondered who would care for them now that Granny was gone.
Lisa climbed the steps to the front porch of the tiny yellow house. She opened the door and stepped into the cozy living room. The sweet scent of Granny's perfume lingered in the air. Lisa felt tears in her eyes.
Mandy scampered down the hall, while Lisa wandered into the kitchen and plopped into a wooden chair by the window. She leaned back, her head against the windowpane, and closed her eyes. Thoughts of Granny raced through Lisa's mind. Granny had taught Lisa how to make pies in this very kitchen when she was only six years old. She could almost see Granny stirring about the kitchen, cooking chicken stew and baking lemon meringue pies. She could almost taste the buttery chicken stew and tart lemon pies.
Lisa opened her eyes when Mandy rubbed her leg. Oh, how she missed Granny! Who would she share special times with now? Lisa buried her face in her hands and sobbed.
"Dear God," she prayed as she wiped her eyes, "I miss Granny so much."
Lisa glanced at the clock on the wall and knew she should go home before Mom became worried. On her way out, Lisa noticed Granny's Bible on a table in the living room. She tucked the Bible under her arm, then slipped out the door, with Mandy close behind.
Sitting in the porch swing, Lisa thought about the happy times she and Granny had shared together. Some of the Bible verses Granny had taught her came to mind. She opened Granny's Bible to John 3:16, and read, For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. As Lisa turned the pages, underlined passages of scripture caught her eye. In Romans 8:28, she read: And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.
Lisa knew that God loved her and would make her happy again. She also knew she would see Granny and other loved ones in Heaven one day. She would also see Jesus! Lisa smiled as she thought of what a wonderful day that would be!
"Thank you, God," she prayed, "for your love and the promise of eternal life with you. I know you'll take away my sadness some day."
Lisa sat with her family at Granny's funeral service. She held back tears as the choir sang How Great Thou Art. That had been Granny's favorite hymn. What would Lisa do without Granny?
A week later, the new school year started. Lisa couldn't get excited about returning to school. She still missed Granny. Every night before falling asleep, she talked to God.
"Dear God, please take away my sadness," she asked.
Lisa enjoyed seeing her friends again, but she was still sad. Soon she settled into the routine of school and homework. Lisa never stopped asking God for help.
One day Lisa saw a poster on the bulletin board in the school library. Sixth-graders with pets were needed to visit the community nursing home one afternoon a week. Lisa and Mandy could do that! Lisa volunteered. She and her kitten would visit each Thursday after school.
The following Thursday, Lisa hurried home from school.
"You and I are meeting some new friends at the nursing home today, Mandy," she said as she scooped the black kitten into her arms.
Lisa entered the nursing home with Mandy in her arms. A lady in a white uniform smiled and led Lisa and her kitten to a bright sunroom. A frail, white-haired lady was sitting in a wheelchair. Lisa was introduced to Mrs. Miller.
"Hi, this is Mandy, my kitten. Would you like to hold her?"
Mrs. Miller smiled as Lisa placed Mandy in her lap. Mandy purred as her new friend gently stroked her soft fur.
As Lisa and Mrs. Miller talked, Lisa was surprised to learn that Mrs. Miller had known Granny since childhood. Mrs. Miller shared several special stories about Granny.
Soon it was almost time for Lisa to go home. Mandy rode on Mrs., Miller's lap while Lisa wheeled her to her room and parked her wheelchair near the window. Mrs. Miller pointed to her bedside table.
"Would you please read to me from God's word before you go?" asked Mrs. Miller. "My eyesight isn't very good anymore, and I can't see to read."
Lisa lifted Mrs. Miller's Bible from the table and pulled up a chair. She turned to the book of Psalms and began reading. After she finished reading the first Psalm, it was time to go.
"Mandy and I will see you next Thursday, Mrs. Miller," said Lisa, as she gave Mrs. Miller a hug.
She scooped Mandy into her arms and walked out the door. Walking home, Lisa noticed how happy she was. Mrs. Miller was the answer to her prayers.
"Thank you, God," she whispered, "for sending me a new friend."
Copyright 1992, Karen Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
| About Karen Ledbetter: I'm a full-time homeschooling mom and part-time freelance writer and medical transcriptionist. I have written for Comeunity, Suite 101, BellaOnline, Childslife, and other web sites. I enjoy working with children and have taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School in the past. When not homeschooling, transcribing, or writing, I enjoy reading and taking walks. |