Gramma’s Life Lessons

A few months ago my dear mother-in-law passed away at the age of 91. She was an amazing woman and I was asked to write a poem about her to be read at her memorial service. I’m reprinting the poem here and hope you will be inspired by it. Feel free to pass it on to others as long as you leave my name on as the author.

Today we’ve gathered to remember a mom
Whose life may have seemed fairly common to some.
But to family and friends who knew her well
Her life had a wonderful story to tell.

She was raised on a farm and the work was hard.
No time to be idle and play in the yard.
From the time she was young and helped with her brothers,
Daisy grew to love God and her care was for others.

She married, had children – in fact she had seven.
Sometimes it was hectic, sometimes it was heaven.
And although she was busy from morning to night,
She never forgot the source of her light.

Daisy began each morning with God
And thanked Him all day ‘til she started to nod.
Bible reading was often and with such delight,
It started her day and was read every night.

She lived out her faith, being loving to all,
Simply trusting that one day they’d answer His call.
Singing and praying whatever her day
“Thank you, dear Lord” she often would say.

Her faith kept her strong when her body was frail,
Knowing that God, in His love, would not fail.
Even as death drew closer each day,
The faith that was Daisy’s never did sway.

Now the time has come for Miss Daisy to go
And although her family will miss her so,
She’s run the race and done her best.
A woman who many people has blessed.

©Carol Bremner 2010

Technorati Tags: Christian poem, memorial poem

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Yesterday would have been my great-granddaughter Sara’s 6th birthday. I say “would have been” because Sara went to be with the Lord not long after her second birthday. Time has dulled the ache, but we still miss her, still wish we could hold her, still wonder why she had to leave us. And we still believe – that God loves us and cares for us although we don’t always see it and that someday we will see our Sara again.

If you would like to see a picture of Sara, head over to my daughter’s photo blog at http://blogphotos.us/ She is the beautiful little girl picking flowers. Then go and give your kids and grandkids a kiss and be thankful for every day that you have with them.

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This past week I was interviewed by Lady T on Blog Talk Radio. Teisha Shelby-Houston (aka Lady T), helps stay at home moms grow flourishing, home-base businesses. As a mother of 5 and an entrepreneur for 15 years, she is considered THE Business Coach for Moms (TM). It was quite a privilege that she wanted to know more about me.

Lady T was easy to talk to and I soon forgot my nervousness. In fact I managed to chat for almost 40 minutes. And I could have gone on longer. Afterward, I started wondering if I really wanted the world to know so much about my personal life. But if it helps others with the problems they face, I’m glad I shared my story. If you’d like to listen, click here for the interview.

Technorati Tags: interview, Lady T

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I’m sitting by my office window, listening to the wind howling as I type. It sounds cold and miserable out there and makes me hesitate to leave my warm house. Earlier this week, we had some days that were so warm the grandkids and I shed our winter coats on our walk. It’s amazing how quickly the weather can change here in Canada.

My bones usually tell me about weather changes before the tv does. I start to ache before it rains or changes temperature. Some days I can walk for hours and feel pretty good and others I can hardly walk up the hill. Sometimes getting old isn’t fun.

My mother-in-law is 91 and bedridden – not fun for sure. But she is always thankful no matter what her circumstances. She has been a Christian since childhood and has learned “in everything give thanks”. Sometimes it gets repetitious, but it sure is nicer than visiting a crabby and complaining older person. I hope as I age, I can still see the rainbows instead of the clouds. No wonder her family appreciate her so much.

Technorati Tags: getter older, being thankful

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One thing about watching my grandkids – the weeks sure fly by. Which, when you are my age, isn’t always a good thing. I’m realizing I need more exercise and physical endurance if I want to keep being GrammaSitter. By the end of the workday, I’m ready to pass out on the couch – sometimes feeling a little overwhelmed and teary. Especially when teething Granbaby girl or tonsilectomy recovering Grandson need all of my time and attention. If my husband wasn’t such a big help, I think I would have lost my Supergramma title a long time ago.

One thing I’ve done is moved my office and computer into the former spare room beside the playroom. That allows me to at least check my email and send a few tweets or Facebook posts during the day. The sun shining in on me has been helpful as well. Yesterday I took Granbaby for a walk in the cold, fresh air and she slept all afternoon as a result. That never happens and gives me motivation to take her for walks more often, regardless of how much I dislike the cold.

I’m slowly getting into a new routine and adjusting to my new life. Now watch, as soon as I have it down pat, circumstances will change and I’ll have to adjust again. At least it’s good for my brain.

How are you making out so far in 2010? Are you finding life more of a challenge? Let’s keep climbing together.

Technorati Tags: new routines, adjusting in 2010

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Just when I was getting used to my computer-filled life in 2009, my routine has gone and changed again. Last year, my youngest daughter was on maternity leave so I had a whole year of freedom to work online, teach Internet related workshops, and try my hand at creating information products. Somehow those tasks managed to fill my days and evenings.

Enter 2010 and daughter is back to work. That means Gramma Me is back to cuddles and story time instead of monitors and keyboards. Grandson goes to kindergarten now, so he is gone every morning. I am one of a number of gray heads waiting on the kids as they file out of their classrooms. Grandaughter is a year old and spends her day toddling around, smiling and contented. Sure hope she keeps that disposition as a teen.

Trying to get into a schedule is my challenge right now. I’m not used to getting up early to greet the kids and am still in the habit of going to bed too late. My blogging routine and workshop presentations have been delegated to the evenings and so far I’m managing to get everything done. Although without my husband’s help I’m not sure how well I’d be doing.

I’m a little tired a lot more often, but I wouldn’t trade the times of being Gramma.  And the computer waits patiently for me.

How is your life changing in 2010? Are you learning to enjoy wherever you are in life?

Technorati Tags: new routines, life changes

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The kids have grown and moved out. They’ve got their own families and their own lives now. So have I stopped worrying about them? Of course not!

To me, that 33 year old store manager is still my little boy and I have to ask him if he’s getting enough rest with such a busy schedule. That 42 year old lady with grandchildren of her own still gets a phone call if she’s got the flu. And I still wish I could hold her in my arms and make everything all better.

So I hate to break it to you, but your concern for your kids won’t go away, instead it will increase with the birth of each grandchild. I spent my whole morning the other day researching the Internet – trying to find out why my baby grandgirl has such a bad cold and what we could do about it.

Doesn’t matter if they live near or far away. I have both scenarios and it doesn’t make a difference. Especially now that I can see what my faraway kids are doing thanks to Facebook. Now I don’t have vague, what are they doing now, kind of worries, but ones that are more specific.

I have to confess, I have the ability to worry myself into the grave if I so choose. But instead, I choose to cast my cares on Christ. I am so thankful I can do that. Otherwise, I hate to think what I would be like.

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Here is the second part of the video “How Great Is Our God.” Enjoy.

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I’ve been watching some amazing videos from a series called “How Great Is Our God”. I’d never heard of Louie Giglio before, and science was always my worst subject in high school, but I’ve really been enjoying these videos. A number of times while watching, I was in tears at the awesomeness of my God. And at the fact that such a creator is concerned with us and all of the little details of our lives. Mankind is so seemingly insignificant, yet God loves us so much!

Here is the first video in the series. If you like, I’ll upload more later.

Technorati Tags: Louie Giglio, How Great Is Our God, creation video

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Yesterday I heard some sad news about the family of someone I know online. His four-year-old grandaughter was killed when a television set fell on her. One of those accidents that you never think would happen to you or anyone you know. One of those accidents that change your whole life in a moment of time.

The tragedy reminded me of the day a few years ago when my two-year-old great-grandaughter slipped out of the house and somehow found her way to the family pool. Another moment in time that changed many people’s lives.

We didn’t think we could ever get through it, as I’m sure the man I mentioned is feeling now. But we did. We even learned to love again as God sent more beautiful babies to heal our hearts. But we will never forget our Sara, nor could any other child fully take her place. Her memory lives on in every area of our lives.

When we hear of these tragic moments, let it be a reminder. Not to be afraid of what the future may hold. But to grab all the memories you can from the present. To love while you can, hold while you can, spend time while you can. Then, should that moment come that changes your life, you can be thankful for those times you had.

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