Grand-Ma

This week, I leave for a ministry trip to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, West Indies. My schedule includes speaking at The National Women’s Gathering, talks for youth, and finishing a play that I’m writing. Awesome right? However, I will not be home on Mother’s Day and the thought made me feel a bit sad.

On my last visit to St. Vincent in May 2003, my hosts asked if I wanted to stay another week. I declined because I wanted to be home for Mother’s Day—and that was before my grandchild was born. Now in addition to my own mom, there is my son, Michael, and his daughter, Michal Zoë, here in the US--and me--without them--in another country on Mother's Day.

An unspoken prayer sprang up from my heart, “Lord, please, I need peace for this journey.” Before the day's end, thoughts drifted into my mind and took me back to Saturday, April 23, 2005.

While spending the evening with my son and his family, I gave my granddaughter a vocabulary lesson. Two days into being ten-months-old, we worked our soon-to-be almost-favorite word, “GrandMa.” She sat on my lap and studied my lips, as I pronounced clearly, slowly, and repetitively, “Grand-Ma, Grand-Ma.”

Michal Zoë peered intently into my mouth, touched my lips, and fluttered her eyes as my breath escaped upon each syllable. She smiled at me in between my long string of the unfamiliar word, as if it registered in some newly discovered corner of her brain. Again, I repeated, “Grand-Ma” until something clicked within both of us and we knew the day’s vocabulary lesson was over.

Michal Zoë confirmed this as she slid off my lap and onto the blue-gray carpet. She crawled over to her Mommy and pulled up as if she intended to share her experience in GrandMa's class.

It’s okay, I thought, one day she will say “GrandMa” and so much more. I sighed as I let go and yielded to God’s perfect timing.

I felt happy and content as I watched her. In the next moment it happened. My granddaughter turned toward me. Distinctly and slowly, she formed her lips and said, “Grand-Ma.” As if she knew she aced an exam, she offered Grand-Ma a smile that sealed the day into the annals of our family's history of firsts.

I know now that on Saturday, April 23rd the Lord, because He sees way down the road, gave me my Mother’s Day present early. Once again, God heard my prayer and sealed it with a promise, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7).

Therefore, I joyfully embrace God’s assigned journey. I carry within my heart, mind, and spirit—my mom, son, and granddaughter—even to the ends of the earth.

© 2005 Stanice Anderson