Whispers From the Past, Part IV

In the last post, Grandma told us about working as a nurse with migrant workers in Texas. She gave us her perspective on technology and talked about how the world has changed since she was young. Now, in the final part of the series, she talks about a few poignant memories, what kind of legacy she hopes to leave behind her, and more...

Who was most influential in your life, and why?

My older sister, Katherine. She sacrificed a great deal for her family. When my mother died, she was only 13. She cared for the rest of us. Though she’s gone now, Katherine taught me so much. She had five children - one of them still sends me a birthday card every year. Katherine told me that when you teach the first two very well, your job is pretty much done. They’ll teach the others.

My father is a close second. At the time, you don’t see the things that happen with your parents. You have to leave home, I guess - I was about 50 years old before I realized the sacrifices that my parents made. Now, when I look back on it, I was really blessed to have a father like I did. He was always there for me, no matter what. Even though he disagreed with things that I was doing, and would talk to me about them, he didn’t pressure me. (Example: wearing the Plain Dress).

My stepmother wasn’t the most competent, but she did step in and was a mother figure. She had heartbreak, because she had one child that was stillborn. It was a full, perfect child, but it didn’t breathe. It was a very sad and difficult time. My father was ahead of his time, and sent my mother for treatment at the psychiatrist. Mennonites did not go to psychiatrists; they just prayed.

What’s one favorite memory you have as a kid, or young adult, or in your later life?

There are so many memories, it’s hard to select one. I think about things that I wasn’t permitted to do when I was a young Mennonite, but explored when I was older. In my senior year, I was a cheerleader. I went to all the Friday night football games. I dressed in saddle shoes, we wore skirts in those days, and I had a sweater, with a big S on it for for our town. It wasn’t like it is now, throwing people into the air - all we did was lead the cheers.

The other memory is from when I was working in Texas. I was THE NURSE among the migrant workers. When someone wasn’t having a baby in the clinic, people from the Mennonite church and some of their friends would call me; they didn’t have any medical care.

Once, I went out to a house for a sick child who was having convulsions. At night time, instead of sleeping on the street, the poor people would come to sleep in this house. Each one had a blanket. When I went in to take care of the child, I had to wander through this house with people lying on blankets all over this house. This family was so caring for the needy people around them.

Now, I think about it since I live alone in my house. I think, where are the homeless people that are sleeping on the street? For five years, I’ve lived in this house alone.

What’s the most important thing that you’ve learned during your life?

Oh, my. That’s a really tough one. I think that love is the most important, when I think about my father and sister. For me, it’s "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so." Laughs This kind of thing. Being taught by your parents what love is. In many cases, it’s a lot of sacrifice. It’s not just all lovey, kiss-ey, kind of stuff, like people want you to believe it is. “Oh, I’m in love,” they say. That’s fine. Be in love, but learn what love really is.

Look how Jesus sacrificed himself for us, showing the greatest love of all.

Obviously, we can’t go back and change the past, but what are some things you wish you might’ve pursued over other things?

One of the biggest things is friendships; being more responsible towards your friends. I was frantic the other day because I couldn’t reach one of my friends that lives here in town. She lives alone and is widowed, just like me.

I was in touch with my college friends for a quite a number of years. At my age, quite a number of these friends are gone. The first nurse that I did everything with, and went to the mental hospital with, is gone. There are other friends that we left when we moved out of Colorado, and we lost touch totally. I wish I would've stayed in touch with them.

What about your legacy; what do you want us to remember about you?

My spiritual example - my personal faith in God, and sharing it with community. I’m hoping that by the way I live my life, and the way I care for other people, they will see Jesus.

I've shown concern for my neighbor and this other friend of mine who are both alone. One of them came to me recently because she knows I have faith in God. She told me, “I’m afraid to die.” I was able to give her my testimony, that I have no need to fear death, because I know the One that overcame death. I may fear HOW I’m going to die, since I may be in pain, so I don’t want to be arrogant.

But hopefully, my legacy is that I’ve lived a steady, responsible life, fearing and loving God, and caring for others.

What a powerful testimony!

To join the upcoming discussion about Whispers from The Past, head over to the Everlasting Love Forum.You can sign up there to become a site member, if you haven't already.

Note: This post was inspired by a writing friend, who mentioned she was going to interview her grandma. Check out her blog here: gloriakuth.blogspot.com

#wisdom #time #advice #legacy