One Simple Glass

When I opened the cabinet to get a cup for my morning coffee, the first thing I saw was a green glass.  It is the only one I have like it, but it used to be a set in my Grandma’s cabinet. 

It was just a simple glass, but a thousand memories flooded my brain.  Bittersweet memories that made me reach out and touch it for a few seconds.  I thought of all the times I spent at my grandparents’ house when I was younger.  I thought of how hard they both worked and their lack of a modern conveniences we take for granted now. 

Grandma cooked fresh biscuits from scratch every single morning – and made a fresh “pone” of cornbread every day. I loved her biscuits, but never cared much for cornbread.

We lived in Jackson, MS when I was younger and I would spend a week with them during the summer. If I was in one part of the house and called for Grandma, she answered with “woohoo.”  I loved that!   

As you can imagine, I spent most of my time with Grandma.  Sitting in her lap always made me feel safe and loved. Together we played with paper dolls.  We cut them out of the big Sears catalog.  Grandma even made furniture for them.  I treasure the time I spent with her.   

When I was a little older she let me play my Uncle David’s Monkees albums on the record player.  She would say, “We must remember to put them up before he comes home from work.”  She didn’t want him to know I listened to them.  It was our little secret.

At least once during the week, we climbed into their pickup and Grandpa would drive us to a local restaurant for a hamburger and milkshake.  I remember how excited Grandma got whenever we went.  She loved milkshakes!

One little glass and those childhood memories burst on my mind like an avalanche racing down a mountain. I learned a lot from my grandparents.

I learned the value of hard work from watching them tend their large garden.  Through the paper dolls, Grandma showed me the power of imagination.  I learned the importance of putting things (like Monkees albums) back in their place.  My grandparents taught me the joy of simple things like a cheerful greeting, and a hamburger and milkshake. 

I also learned that holding a child in your lap can be a blessing for the child and the adult.  She showed me love spans across both miles and generations.  

One simple glass sent me back to my childhood yesterday. 

Here’s the thing.  We only get one chance in life – one chance to live and love like Jesus – one chance to leave something worthy behind.  Not because of who we are -  but because of who Christ is! 

“What you leave as a legacy is not what is etched in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Anonymous

Psalm 78:4 “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that he has done.”

Christ above all things - Robin