Grandma Compton

My maternal grandfather passed away when I was sixteen. At the time, I recall being pretty anxious for my grandmother, living all by herself in a tiny excuse for a town in a quiet little house that had been home to numerous children, grandchildren, and probably lots of neighbors. I had heard of and seen numerous examples of elderly couples that had been married for decades, and one spouse would pass away and the other would seem to have nothing left in life and be gone in weeks or months. I had it in my head that it must be the same way for all well-seasoned couples, once your spouse was gone, there isn't a whole lot left. I was certain Gramma wasn't going to be around much longer.

I was wrong.

Grandma Compton spent a couple more years living in her tiny home in Neosho Falls, and for health/safety/peace of mind for her and family reasons, eventually moved into a small house in town. Ninety-two years old, and while she doesn't exactly get out of the house (and recently struggles to get out of her recliner), her mind is still incredibly sharp and she can remember stories about living in the Great Depression or about Grandpa driving her to church when they starting dating. She spent a couple weeks in an old folk's home after a fall a couple years ago, and probably knew every single person there and their children and personal histories. She loves to talk about her family, and even more loves to reminisce about Grandpa teaching Sunday School and studying the Bible and about Christ her Savior and friend. A very remarkable woman, my grandmother. She's still kicking, but is eager for the day when she'll see Grandpa and John and Ruth and other friends and family in the presence of the eternal Lord and King. But I think she's most excited about experiencing the glory of the Heavenly Father, His Son, and the Spirit.

Here's why I was wrong. I thought Grandma had built her life mostly around Grandpa Finley, and, just a tiny bit less, around her children, as seems to be normal. And true, she was a faithful, loving and hard-working wife. She did give birth to sixteen children, and raised those little guys and gals to honor and follow Jesus Christ. When they grew up and began their own lives, Grandma did all she could to keep loving and serving her spouse. The old house was kept warm and cozy for visitors, and a trip to Grandma's was always something to look forward to, whether exploring the old bedrooms or Grandpa's shop or playing with the little metals ends from juice concentrate jars. She's the one that needs some looking after now, but Grandma can still give a pretty good run-down of what her kids are up to, as well as her fifty-plus grandkids. She even still apologizes because although she remembers most birthdays and anniversaries, etc., her writing is getting too spidery to address and mail vintage cards with a $1 bill tucked inside. But no, I think Elizabeth Compton built her life around something much bigger and valuable than her husband.

See, had Finley been the most important thing in her adventure of life, Grandma probably would not have lasted much longer than her mate. But she's still here. She's even laughing and finding joy in life through the aches and troubles of failing physicality. Because there is one thing that Grandma values and loves and treasures and pursues more than anything else in the universe. And that is her blessed Savior Jesus Christ, and the knowing of her heavenly Father that she experiences through Him. Maybe she doesn't sign her name to birthday cards, but her hands still have the strength to daily open the worn Bible that sits by her chair just to have another moment with her Creator and Redeemer. Many days she might be lonely, but she has a Comforter greater than any familiar face that might appear at her front door. She'll leave a great legacy in her family tree, but she has no family dearer than the Father who holds her safe in His loving arms. She has pictures and memories and objects that she holds dear, but knows nothing more valuable than Christ. Nothing. Meals on Wheels, the occasional Sonic Burger, and ice water might keep her physical body alive, but Grandma drinks living water and lives not on bread, but on the Word that comes from God.

That's a model I want to follow. The type of wife, mother, and friend that Grandma was is the type of husband, father, and friend I want to be.