Friday, September 13, 2013

Lord 'A Mercy

Every Friday, a whole bunch of bloggers get together at LisaJo's for a 5-minute writing festival.  The prompt comes out at midnight.  The rules are simple.  Five minutes.  You get five minutes to say what you have to say.  I have to admit, I cheat a little.  I look at the prompt and let myself stew on it for awhile before I sit down in front of the computer.  And then --- it's ready, set, go.  I do add the picture and scripture outside of the timeframe...

This week's prompt:  MERCY 


Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 31:31

We tumbled out of the car like an upended box of warm puppies - into the Indiana-farm air of alfalfa fields, soybeans and hogs. Sweet and sour.  Finally at Grandma's.  And there she was, standing on the porch in her apron and dress, socks halfway up her gnarly calves of varicose veins, wisps of gray hair like a halo.

"Lord 'a mercy!  How you've grown!"  She always said the same thing, in the same way - wrapping us up in arms that smelled like cinnamon and talcum powder - in a hug the size of Texas.   And folded into that bosom of love, we felt claimed.  Home.  Even though we'd never lived in the country, on that one-lane road, twisting and turning through planted fields and stands of trees.  We were the city cousins - come for our yearly visit.

"Lord 'a mercy!"  I loved the way she talked; things were purty, and she got away with saying ain't.  Less formal - softer around the edges - relaxed.  Memories spill over in my mind - card games around the kitchen table, fresh milk, chasing chickens, hide and seek in the hayloft, and always Grandma.  Cooking for the troops of relatives come to visit.  Doughnuts and cinnamon rolls in the freezer - canned fruits and vegetables, farm-fresh tomatoes, butchered bacon and beef.  She was so happy, surrounded by family.  Her laughter bubbled up from a deep, holy place inside like water from a well - it poured over us, sparkling cool and fresh.  Cleansing us of city sarcasm and city schedules.

Time stood still at Grandma's.  And peace endured.   She made a home for us in that country world.  Lord 'a mercy - she knew how to show love.

Father God, thank you for these precious memories.  

Linking with LisaJo at 5-Minute Friday

14 comments:

  1. Your words make me smile. And remember my own grandmother and her way with words. Hardly eloquent was she. But it's all a part of my fond memories. This lady who ate 'sam-iches', took her 'med-sin', and perhaps did something particular on 'Mon-dee, Tues-dee, or Wednes-dee'. And when she finished her meal was always 'up to pussies bow'. God bless Grandmas!!

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  2. And now I'm smiling back at 'ya! Who needs eloquence, when you have that home-cooked noodle, flour-on-the-apron love, right? Thanks for the visit and memories!
    :) Janet

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  3. Lord, a'mercy this made me smile, Janet! Wonderful memories! Thanks for sharing.

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    1. They were good memories for me, too! Thanks for stopping by!
      Janet

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  4. Hi Janet! What beautiful memories of your Grandmother! Makes me want a hug of cinnamon and talcum powder too :)

    What a fun way to spend the summers, and it got you into a whole different environment. How blessed are you?? And you memory is so vivid. I feel like I can see her too, standing on that porch.

    Thank you for sharing today! And thank you for visiting me too.
    Ceil

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    1. Hi Ceil,
      I am blessed - I couldn't even fit all the memories into today's post... It really was a whole different environment; I always felt like I had the best of many worlds - Indiana country being one.
      Have a great weekend!
      Janet

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  5. Janet, So glad you stopped by my place so I could follow you back here. This is so beautiful with the memories of your grandmother. It could be my grandmother you are speaking of and it warmed my heart. Oh, I miss my grandparents so much. If we could only have them here a little longer.
    Blessings.

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    1. Hi Kim - Thanks for visiting! My grandmother went to heaven over 25 years ago and her laughter and hugs are still with me. I see her in my mother when she's with her grandkids and with her great-grandkids. I guess you could say they ARE here longer - in the actions and memories of the family.
      Much love,
      Joyfully,
      Janet

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  6. Dear Janet
    Oh, these memories of your Gran will always be gifts of mercy from our Pappa's hand. I never actually new the love of a grandmother, but my grandfather was a wonderful man!
    Blessings XX
    Mia

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    1. Hi Mia,
      Yes, they are precious memories. I was blessed to know both sets of grandparents, plus my great-grandparents for a time. I bet your grandfather was truly special - I bet you blessed his life, too! It's nice to hear from you; I hope you're feeling a little better... or a lot :)
      With Joy,
      Janet

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  7. Oh Janet, what a precious post!! I love how you shared your memories of your grandmother and love the picture too. Your word pictures were so good I felt like I was right there with you. Wonderful....

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    1. Thanks, Nannette - I'm glad you stopped by. You were probably right there with me because your grandmother was the same kind of woman, right? She gave me some precious memories AND taught me how to crochet. How cool is that?
      Janet

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  8. Awwww! I felt like I was right there with you and Grandma - how precious! Thank you for these warm, vivid photos of a special moment in your life. Lord a mercy, that was such a blessing :) Dena @ www.lifeafterbreath00.com

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    1. Dena,
      Thanks! I was able to spend some very special time with my Grandma - she was a treasure and a blessing!
      Janet

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