Memory Lane Monday…Grandma’s Bible

My dear grandmother not only left me a legacy of faith; she left me her Bible.

I don’t know why she chose me to be the recipient of this precious gift but years ago she told me that she was leaving it to me.  This is what she had written inside:

Tucked between the pages was this little note from her:

Grandma’s Bible is well-worn and well-read:

One of my childhood memories is of a Bible which Grandma kept in the bathroom sitting on top of the wastebasket next to the toilet. That particular Bible had no cover and was open to the last place Grandma had been reading. I recall checking to see what book and chapter it was open to each time I went in there. I have no idea how many times Grandma read through that old Bible.

After moving to Oklahoma, Grandma began an in-home day care which she operated for many years. That same old Bible was kept in its usual spot in the bathroom until the day one of the little boys she babysat for was using the bathroom and “missed”. Grandma seemed to take in stride but her grandchildren who were used to seeing that Bible in the bathroom were sad to see it go.

I’m not sure when Grandma got the Bible I now have but the address she had written inside was her California address.  Grandma and Grandpa moved to Oklahoma in 1979.  I think this is the Bible I remember her taking to church when I was a kid.  She had the old one without the cover in the bathroom and then her *good* Bible for church.  I think this is that one.  I do know this is the one that was always within reach of her chair during the last 15 or 20 years.  There are pictures, little notes, newspaper clippings and such tucked between its pages.  I’ve just recently looked through it for the first time since her death.  I just wasn’t ready to do so earlier.  About a year ago I finished reading through the entire Bible in an organized manner.  I’m currently reading through a modern version, “The Message”.  I’m about half way through.  As soon as I complete that I think I will be ready to read Grandma’s Bible.  I want to see which verses she has underlined and which pages are turned down at the corner.  She left me a precious gift and I look forward to savoring it page by page.