Sarah's Gramma

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 

I don't know what it is about Sarah, our two year old, but once you are in her house, you are HERS!  When we brought our dog Holly home, she was instantly Sarah's.  When Sarah would be disciplined, she'd run to Holly and throw herself around her neck to sob and get comfort! 

Sarah has not had any reservations about Gramma since we brought her home either.  When she was in the hospital, Sarah climbed up in the bed with her, kicked up her feet and put her arm behind Gramma's head and twirled her hair.  I often catch her brushing Gramma's hair and putting lotion on her.  One day when one of the home health specialists came, Sarah sat in the bed petting her like a puppy.  Petting often turns to pinching.  She finds it fascinating how her skin feels and it sticks together once pinched (sign of dehydration, and old age) and she plays with it!!!

So this morning Sarah asked Gramma to put her old baby bib with the pocket on her.  Gramma's motor skills are almost 87 years old so she was unable to get it snapped.  She gave it the OLD college try for about three minutes and during this time, Sarah was playing with Gramma's face.  She was squeezing her cheeks together and stretching her mouth out, pulling her eyes up!  Gramma was laughing and said, "Would you look at this girl?  I love her!"  It was hysterical!

In the past, Gramma could never have endured this kind of "abuse"!  She would have been annoyed and horrified at the children's hands all over her.  Now she craves it!  It is life to her.  She longs for Jacob's kisses and Maddie learning to walk with her, holding on the walker.  She says "God kisses me through Jake." (whom she calls Jackie)   The joy she gets from the kids is straight from Heaven.  I walked in the living room one day and Emily was practicing the keyboard, playing "Old Suzanna" while Gramma hummed the tune, Sarah danced and Jacob used Gramma's fingers as a keyboard and played them!  She smiled from ear to ear.  I am convinced that the love of Christ that led her to the cross was initiated through them. 

When Gramma had her last TIA, it was pretty serious and lasted about 30 min.  I had to call the doctor during this time and get instructions.  Sarah came to me with a roll of duct tape and said "Stickers, I want stickers!"  I was deep in conversation with the doctor and chose to tear pieces of tape for her so she'd be quiet while I talked.  The dog sensed something was wrong and jumped up on her lap.  When I got off the phone, Gramma was covered in duct tape.  I imagined that if the state had walked in at that moment and found a naked two year old putting duct tape all over an elderly woman having a mini stroke with a dog in her lap licking all over her face, they were likely to take my kids and my grandmother from me!!  After the feeling of chaos subsided, I was able to see it as God sending these sweet creatures to fix her up.  Even if it was with duct tape!

 I will cherish these moments forever, as will my children, and Gramma for eternity!  When she went to bed last night I said "I love you Gramma, you're my favorite!"  She looked at me and said "Look, this is you to me!" and she had plastered a  HUGE smile on her face, teeth and everything!