bffs

We have a long history of living with my husband’s grandma. Over a quarter of our marriage was spent on the farm with Grandma. Some of our kids’ most formative moments happened with her. Actually, some of my most formative moments happened with her too. She’s been gone for over 5 years now. I was with her when she breathed her last breath. That was hard. And it’s a story for another time.

Springtime on the farm reminds me of Grandma. She loved going outside to check on the crocuses and daffodils to see how many had bloomed. She would analyze how many bulbs had been moved by the farmyard critters over the prior seasons. Grandma would clean up tree limbs and mow the yard. At 92, boy could she zip around the yard with her riding mower full bore! We just stayed out of the way!

Grandma also loved yard sales. We would ask her the history of things in the house. It was a fifty-fifty chance that she would answer, “Well, that. I think I bought that at Susie May’s yard sale in 1982. You know, she lived just down the street and around the corner. Do you know it only cost me a nickel!” She liked getting stuff cheap, but she also loved catching up with her neighbors and friends.

Remembering Grandma also reminds me of friendship. Growing up in a small town, she knew practically everyone. And those she didn’t know, she certainly knew about them. Things don’t stay private for long in a small town.

Grandma had friends. Good ones. Lifelong friends. Do you have a BFF? In case you don’t know, that is every grade school kid’s acronym for best friend forever. Grandma did. It was Anita.

Grandma And The Girl Scout Troop

Grandma and Anita raised their children together. They ran the Girl Scout troop together. Sadly. our photo doesn’t have Anita, part of Grandma, and Grandma’s daughter, but it does have a couple of Anita’s daughters. Someone wasn’t great with the camera back in 1950. Their daughters were Girl Scouts, schoolmates and close friends. Grandma and Anita both attended church and loved God. The faith they experienced and knew as young women is the faith they showed their families.

Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. - Psalm 71:17-18 NIV

Grandma and her friend, Anita, who us kids knew as Grandma Bair, were pillars of faith. They served together and supported each other. They lived out the verses in this Psalm all the days of their lives. Grandma and Grandma Bair impacted their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren through their faithfulness and friendship. These women of faith gave their families a picture of how God looks.

Grandma And Grandma Bair

Aren’t they cute? We took this picture at our yard sale. They sat there gabbing the whole time about family and small town happenings - still loving and supporting each other six decades later.

If you don’t have them, find your BFFs. I have a few. Let’s learn to be dedicated, faithful friends for a lifetime - just like Grandma and Anita. Best friends share our lives and our legacy.

Searching for wisdom and asking for grace,

Jody