“When Our Lives Were Churning Seas, Grams Was The Solid Rock”

Today's guest post in our "Honoring Martha" series comes from Amie Fallon Bushnell. To learn more about this series, and to find out how you can contribute, click here. We would love to hear from everyone who has fond memories of Grandma. The sooner you can send in your response, the better. Thank you! Love, ~Stacie

I am my Grandmother's Granddaughter! In order to keep things right in my head, I must makes lists. This is especially true when there are many thoughts rattling around in there! So That is how I am going to honor Grams, by listing the things that stick with me. Of course this is not going to be a complete list as there is not enough time on this earth for that!!!

Things Grams said:

“My Lands!”

-”For pity's sake!”

-”I'll pray for you” and boy did she ever!!!!!

-”Better out than in!” (use your imaginations...you are probably thinking of the right thing!)

-”That's gut rot” (in reference to soda and fast food.)

-”You're so pretty” (while playfully pinching my chubby sides!!!)

-”Golly...”

-”Come see me again”

Fond Memories of:

-Minnow fishing in the crick with buckets

-Countless walks up Leizer Hill, sometimes whining because we were too tired to keep up with Grams!

-Spending weekends there, making pizza and gooey chocolate sauce on ice cream.

-Singing hymns(whether in tune or out)

-Grams sitting on the floor and playing with us, for hours!

-Sled riding(or as she said “riding down hill) in winter with Grams and then her making us hot cocoa from scratch when we got back in.

-Her taking dollar bills from her “bill fold” and letting us get treats.

-Helping us learn how to drive and grabbing the door when we went too fast.

-Loading MANY children in her car, on seats, on laps, on floors...and driving us to pools, water holes and any other places we asked her to.

-Going to church with her and feeling especially cool, because MY Grams was the Sunday School teacher!

-Her calender that marked which one of us got to sleep on the pull out couch with her. Then those not so fortunate getting to make beds around the couch with the cushions and tons of blankets.

-Being at awe with her fearlessness as she trekked to the garage in the dark WITHOUT a flashlight.

-Never being teased or chided for being afraid of the dark myself!

-The way she always had a hug waiting, just when you wanted or needed one...which was often

-Grams making us feel all grown up by letting us have HOT tea in real tea cups...a practice my own daughter loves now!

-Her need to feed anyone who entered her home. She always had a great snack spread that often included, saltines and jelly, cheese, various cookies, candy, popcorn, fruit....and the EVER present tea!

-No matter how silly it might have been, if we wanted to play something or try something, or put on some silly show, Grams was ready to listen and to try and help us accomplish what we set out to try.

-I remember Grams giving us use of the playhouse and her scrubbing the floor on her hands and knees with us, so it would be clean for us to play in.

-In said playhouse, she turned us loose with a bunch of baking ingredients to create our own recipes. One of which I still have somewhere!

-Grams standing on the porch waving goodbye until we could no longer see the house.

-Grams sitting at the breakfast table with her Bible open and her Daily bread.

-Praying along in my head with her because she always started each prayer with Dear Heavenly Father, Lord we thank you for...” as well as “Bless this food to our bodies and nourish our souls”...she may not have had the best singing voice but I'll bet her prayers sure sounded like music as they entered Heaven!

Lessons I have Learned From Grams:

-You may not have much, but keep what you have neat and clean, and no one will know any better.

-Pray without ceasing

-There is good in every person, you just have to look for it sometimes.

-Judging by my memories of her and my daughter's, kids remember the smallest, simplest acts of love and kindness.

-We don't have to be quiet just because we are girls!!!!

-Don't fuss with her “kids!” She could come up with the most gruesome punishments for those who hurt children....

My list of memories could go on and on. I cannot express how blessed I feel to have had this wonderful woman as my Grams. When our lives were churning seas, Grams was the solid rock. She was the epitome of stability and love. I always knew that when I was with her, that I would be loved and cherished, no matter what. She would always be there to encourage, play, love and teach. Though I fall miserably short, I strive to be like she was. Her faith was never shaken, and her prayers were, in my opinion, the first to reach God's ears. It might be right to say that she was a simple woman, in that the simple things in life brought her the greatest joys. Her God and her family meant it all to her. And that loving way she had extended to anyone who had the pleasure of being around her. She was a rare spirit, and one that I have yet to see repeated. She is one of a kind. I love you Grams with all of my heart and I thank you for loving me. I only wish you could know how much you mean to me and how your example has taught me, and still urges me to do better each day.

I agree with you Amie! She was my solid rock as well, and I have learned so much from her. In fact, even in these last days with her I am learning. She truly is the best! ~Love, Stacie