Lessons in Grandmas Attic

  When I was a young girl, I was fortunate enough to spend the better part of a few summer vacations with my Grandmother before she died. During these times she taught me many things. She taught me to pray from the heart, and about the bounty of vegetables her and Grandpa grew in the large garden behind the run down chicken coop. She taught me all about housekeeping and spring cleaning, especially in the attic. Yet what I remember most as an adult is what she didn't try to teach me at all.

   My Grandmother was a practical German woman. Being frugal just seemed to be a natural part of who she was. Memories of he sewing simple house dresses while I fashioned doll clothes from the scraps are vivid and warm. It was evident she enjoyed and preferred a simple and productive life, even if you hadn't had a peek in the attic.

   Now cleaning the attic was not a simple task to be completed within a few hours or even a full day. No, this undertaking took the better part of a week to accomplish. Not only did we clean every nook and cranny of the attic, we cared for everything kept in it.Yes, to properly care for the treasures Grandma tucked away, a full week was in order.

   Everything in the attic was precious to Grandma and she shared the stories as to why. As we polished the silver to a gleaming shine, she told me of who had given it when her and Grandpa married. She told me stories of the heirlooms waiting to be passed down to the next generation. As we hung linens on the line to dry, she told tales of he childhood. And so we would go until the entire attic was spotless.

   When Grandma passed away, I learned something profound about the attic. In all the years Grandma loved those treasures and cared for them, she never used them. She saved them for an occaision worthy of their use. And she died before such an event happened.

   It was some years later before I fully understood the lesson, but now I try to practice it every day. Each day in itself is precious and worthy to be celebrated in its own right. Those things which I treasure are not stored away safe in an attic, only to be enjoyed once a year as I clean them. They are all about my home to be shared with friends and family even on a Tuesday afternoon.

   Grandmothers teachings have influenced me greatly. My faith in God is my Rock. For almost 20 years I worked as an old fashioned housekeeper. My family has enjoyed fine vegetables from our garden. I still prepare Grandmas recipes as she did. And mostly, I don't wait for life to present a grand opportunity to enjoy beautiful things. Stop by for coffee sometime and you'll know just how special today can be!