Moving
By Jenny Brandt
Years ago – Granny & Grandad moved from their farm in Cloverdale to a pretty urban city home. I cried with Granny – the new home was nice, but I didn’t like change. In my 12 years, I had so many memories, things she had taught me, and there were the many places my cousins and I had enjoyed exploring and playing on the farm.
She had started my love for plants there – letting us have a little square in the garden to plant peas, carrots etc. We would pick blackberries on the dyke. My cousins and I climbed trees, collected hazelnuts when ready, and hung out in the hammocks. Sleepovers, playing “house” with dolls, making forts outside and crafts inside, getting sweets from candy boxes, being allowed to make a small loaf from the big batch of dough, watching pre-recorded movies on TV and singing as we stood around the piano at Christmas or family gatherings were some of the many experiences we had!
Later, I grew accustomed to the new house, and have since grown to love it just as much as the farm – it was a warm place, bright and inviting where we found new places to play when young (the crawl space games and “teenage room” with craft supplies, an old record player, and homemade Barbie house), and she taught us new things. She taught me how to sew and cook meals during “Home Ec” in high school – and now at 38 those meals are the ones I often fell back on this first year of marriage to Daniel. Granny loved her family and those she met, and freely shared her love of God, through verses & stories.
Her love of plants, sewing, writing, birds, and food continued. She always had some project on the go, an apron for a gift, a letter or email to a distant family member or friend. And if I were to drop in unexpectedly, I knew I’d be welcomed - would I like a cup of tea? A cookie? How about a muffin? How about some fruit? I’ve got some strawberries & custard left…?
Her new house really was nicer than the farm.
But now she’s moved again – she left for the most beautiful place – so how can I begrudge her - but I’m not ready for her to go. My chest hurts - I don’t like change. Tears have fallen – I’ve grown accustomed to her being here. I remember when Grandad moved to Heaven – it seemed he was surely just sitting quietly in the other room, but he no longer was and I miss him.
Their earthly home will feel empty without them – it’s filled with memories – but I’m thankful that I know where they went! Looking forward to seeing them again!
“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
John 14:1-6 (NKJV)
Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.