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.
What a heartfelt post this is. I feel my eyes welling up as I'm reading it. My nan died last year and I have things that she left that I have not been able to go back to yet.
What a wonderful treasure to have.
Some things need a tissue warning.
This is so sweet and sad at the same time. You have a precious treasure to represent your precious memories.
Beautiful! You are so lucky to have that cherished heirloom 🙂
My grandpa's was the cookie jar…highly coveted in our family! My mom has it now, but she just might wake up one day to find it "missing"
Thanks for sharing!
Sarah-Jane: It does take time to sort through the emotions, doesn't it? Grandmas are special people.
Dawn: I feel so honored that she chose me to receive this special gift.
KD: Isn't it funny how certain objects become imbued with the soul of its owner. I hope the cookie jar has a place of honor in your home someday.