Grandmom

Brice Paterik
Jul 20, 2017 · 4 min read
Frank and JoanneBradley in their home

One of the most important and special relationships in a person’s life that often goes overlooked is the one you have with your grandparents. It took til I was an adult to realize what a wonderful gift I was given to have my grandparents be such a big part of my life since birth.

Last week my grandmother decided to go on hospice care. Death, or even the thought of it, overwhelms even great people who have lived good lives. Joanne Bradley isn’t great people, she is the greatest people. Grandmom is the most faithful Christ follower I have ever known.

When my dad and I visited her in the hospital before she talked so calmly and matter of factly about her funeral and what she wanted from it. No fear. No apprehension. No doubt exists in her mind about where she’s going when she leaves this earth because she is ready to meet Jesus in person.

She smiled as she talked about “her last party” as something vaguely medicinal bubbled in the background. Not even for a moment did she frown or worry about death because she knows God will take care of her.

That peace in the face of uncertainty isn’t the only way her faith shows itself. A couple days ago we were talking about her older brother who was in town visiting her. She told me how he had some trouble with his faith. Even when she was in the hospital no matter how bad she felt, she never stopped loving and caring about all those around her.

“Now when I go I expect you to follow me,” is what she told her brother when the two of them got the chance to catch up. He told her he will. You can only plant the seeds, you can’t make them grow Grandmom told me. Those seeds aren’t just planted with those you’re close with, but everyone you meet.

For the past several years my grandmother has been in and out of the hospital many times. Each time she goes in she asks all the nurses and doctors all about themselves. Grandmom has never met a stranger. She cares about the lives and the stories of everyone around her. It doesn’t matter where they grew up, what color their skin is or who they pray to she cares about all of them.

Though she cares about everyone she meets, there are some she cares about more than others: her family. When she was in college she knew what she wanted most was to be a wife and mother. She got her wish: five wonderful children and 63 years of marriage to an amazing husband.

Having Joanne Bradley as a family member is a supremely uplifting experience, I’d highly recommend it. She is a constant source of encouragement. Her unending belief in you and your ability to achieve the peak of your potential never loses its effect.

A few years back when I decided to change my university, my degree, and my career path she was so proud that I found my calling. In all my articles and projects she’s been my biggest fan showering love and praise when I needed it most. Whenever I write my first book I know what the dedication will be:

To Grandmom: you were always my biggest fan, thank you for encouraging me to use my words.

She cares so deeply about all of her family. If you ask any one of them they have a hundred stories just like mine of a difficult time in their life when grandmom was right there with them when they needed her the most.

I’m so happy for the time I’ve been able to have with her the last few weeks and however long we’ve got until she’s with Jesus. Goodbyes are my least favorite thing on this earth, but thankfully this isn’t a goodbye, it’s a see you later in a place where everything is perfect, where there’s no arthritis pain and we can both dance around and open jars whenever we want.

If it weren’t for my grandmother I know without a doubt I wouldn’t be where I am today. Without her support and belief I would have doubted myself away from my calling into something I wasn’t meant to do.

From her I inherited my love for people and their stories. She taught me how to be selfless even when it’s easy to get wrapped up in yourself. She taught me the importance of family and how they’re the ones we need to hold most dear when life is rough. And she showed me how to trust God’s faithfulness, even in the face of death.

None of us truly know how long we have left on this earth. Even though it’s trite, it is true: we need to treasure the time we have with the ones we hold most dear. I don’t know how much time I’ve got left with my grandmother, but I do know I will cherish every minute I spend warmed by her smile, and tell her that every time I see her. I hope you get the chance to do the same with yours.

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