It has to be perfect

I've mentioned here several times lately about how our sweet Papa Joe is not doing well.  His spirits are still up, and he still greets each and every visitor with a cheerful hello.  The family is all coming together and helping out whenever possible and however we can.  Yesterday, I had the opportunity to take Granny to pick up her hearing aids.  Bless her sweet soul, she hasn't been able to hear us for over a week.  When I say she hasn't been able to hear us, I mean nothing.  She was excited to get her hearing aids yesterday.  If she told me once she told me ten times, "I'll be so glad to quit saying huh, and what?"  I just smiled.  Our ride to the office was a quiet one because she and I both knew it would be a difficult conversation.  

Like you turned on a switch, she could once again hear!!  As I watched her talk to the office staff, I thought how I take for granted the little things that I use everyday.  My hearing, my eyes, my nose.  She had been a week without hearing, but now she was back in business!  It was almost like she had a little extra pep in her step.  We finished some errands and headed back home.  I sat at the table eating with her and I asked, "Granny, did I take your seat?"  She jumped up, headed to the calendar and said, "No, it's not the 15th!"  I just smiled and told her I asked if I had taken her seat.  We both laughed and she then said that her hearing aids were obviously not working!!  We decided that we'd keep that little incident a secret, just between us.  Not long after company left, she called me to the living room where she was sitting by Papa. She was so cute.  She said, "Joe, ask Jennifer what I did in the kitchen?"  I told her it was supposed to be our secret and she said, "I can't keep a secret from Papa!"  So we told him and he just laughed.  He said, "some things never change!"  I thought how precious it was that they still share everything together, even when it's laughing at one another!

Today, I picked her up around noon and before we left she leaned over and kissed him and told him she'd be back soon. Her hair appointment was scheduled for 12:30, we had plenty of extra time. On the way there she asked if we could stop for lunch, she was so hungry.  We enjoyed lunch together at Burger King and she was talking about how she needed to go the bank, and to get a card for Papa.  Tomorrow is their anniversary, and she needs a card before going home today.  I promised her that we'd get it all taken care of.  As I'm sure many grandma's do she kept saying, "if you don't mind".  I finally told her I didn't mind that I'd take her where ever she needed to go and it didn't matter how long it takes.  "Well, if your sure.  I have to find the perfect card for Joe.  Not just any card but a special card" she said.  We sat at the red light and for a moment, I couldn't say anything.  She's so in love with him.  God brought them together, He's walked with them, their bond is unbreakable and I truly believe with each day that passes she loves him more, and he loves her more.  

"It has to be perfect!"  That phrase from her means more to me then just her feelings about a card.  It's an indication of their love for one another.  The dedication and the 59 years they will celebrate tomorrow, a blessing.  I'm sure their lives have had a fair share of hardship, but whose doesn't?  59 years they've gone to bed together, started the day together, prayed together, worshiped together, laughed together, and cried together.  I know that when God calls Papa home that Granny will be broken.  A piece of her will be gone, but it is my prayer that she cling to the promise she has and knows that she will see him again.  She will walk hand in hand with him and their days will never end.  

I'm so thankful for the last two days that I have had the opportunity to be there for Granny and to spend time with them both.  I ask that if you are reading this that you please keep them in your prayers.  Pray for Granny's strength, Papa's courage and peace.  For the children I pray that they find their strength in God.  It's a difficult time, but may God get the glory through it all.  

Thanks!