grandmothers & granddaddies.

Tonight I visited with my Grandmother Loftin (dad's mom), and was reminded once again of how unbelievably blessed I am. Both of my grandmothers (& granddaddys) have always been a huge part of my life. My dad's parents lived just right across the pasture from us as I was growing up, and we were constantly over there...sitting in the swing in the back yard while Grandmother peeled apples for us to eat and we ate handfuls of Teddy Grahams from the pockets of her apron or she being sandwiched in between Steven and me reading either from The Chronicles of Narnia or Little House on the Prairie. And Granddaddy always had (and still has) some old joke or story to tell us while doling out a seemingly never-ending supply of Tootsie Rolls. My mom's parents only lived about 15 minutes from us, and we were constantly there, too. Grandmother Croft was an excellent seamstress, and she made lots of my dresses. I still have them and hope that one day if we have a little girl, she can wear some of her Great-Grandmother's stitching. And my Granddaddy Croft could make anything (and at 91, he is still out in his wood-shop hammering away.) My brother summed it up pretty well when he told his kindergarten teacher that his granddaddy was a "Genius!" We also spent a lot of time with them going fishing and camping.

All this is a bit nostalgic, I know, but I'm not exaggerating--and that's why I'm so grateful. I know that I wouldn't be who I am today had both sets of my grandparents not poured their time, love, and wisdom into me and Steven and Caroline. And even though I don't get to spend as much time with them now, they continue to pour into me.

And now, as they are getting older, I see even more clearly how their marriages are a testament to unconditional and sacrificial love. What a rarity that kind of love is. Grandmother and Granddaddy Loftin have been married for 51 years and Grandmother and Granddaddy Croft for 67. Of course, there are lots of times when they probably want to ring each others' necks--particularly the grandmothers wanting to ring the granddaddies because the granddaddies just seem to get more obstinate and contrary with every passing day! BUT, they've learned to laugh because they both know they'd be lost without the other.

This post could easily turn into a book, so one last thought: the faith in our Lord Jesus that both of my Grandmothers have and so unabashedly speak about is what I am most grateful for when I think of them. They've truly "set their eyes on things above," and I know they've got crowns waiting in heaven.

Oh, and one last brag: Both of my grandmothers each had 6 place settings of Arcadian Old Rose china, and when I was little they decided that when I got married they would each give me their set so that I would have "service for 12."

My most favorite wedding gift of all.