When I haven’t seen Grandma for a while, she looks different than I remember her . I think maybe I forget things change. I keep her in my mind the way she was before, like when we played together last time.
This time when I saw her, I noticed her face looked really tired. She’s very old now—she’s 94! Her skin looked pale, and her eyes weren’t as bright and sparkly as I remembered. But then something special happened. When she smiled at me, her eyes got a little bit of that sparkle back. It made me happy to see that.
I’ve been talking to God a lot about Grandma. When it’s quiet, and I’m just thinking, I pray that she feels good and happy. Even though I’m sad thinking about her getting older, when I pray, I feel this warm feeling inside, like God is telling me He’s taking care of her and taking care of all of us, too.
I know that when Grandma goes to heaven, it will be at exactly the right time—God’s time, not just when doctors say or when we think it should be. I’m asking God to help me understand and to help me be brave so I can help my family feel better when that day comes.
God is so good. He loves all of us, and He’s making our story just the way it should be.
There’s this part in the Bible, Philippians 4:6-7, that talks about God’s peace. When I look into Grandma’s eyes, even though she’s tired, I feel something I can’t really explain. It’s bigger than words. I think that’s what God’s peace feels like—something so big and so good that a kid like me can’t even understand it all, but I can feel it’s real.
I love my Grandma.
Retired or Retread? – Make the most of your life! Jim Reeverts is a former U.S. National Park guide and the author of Jordan Pond, Mount Desert Island, Maine.