Writing Me: I Remember {Stephanie}

Writing Me is Bigger Picture Blogs series of writing exercises created to help our community dive deeper into writing, grow creatively, and learn about ourselves and each other. This quarter we are writing from the prompt “I Remember…” and each week we will feature one of our community members.

This week’s post comes to us from Stephanie.

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I remember her smile that illuminated a room with a love that grew with each new addition to her family.

I remember the curve of her shoulder and the steady hand pulling me close.

I remember crochet lessons and lunch at the senior center where she proudly introduce me as her great granddaughter.

I remember her patience and quiet strength and the way she so carefully wrote letters and birthday cards for those she loved.

I remember her stories of decades gone by and the twenty-eight years I was blessed with her life.

I remember the way she gently rocked my newborn daughter and whispered words of love.

I remember the way she hugged my husband and loved him as deeply as she did her own grandchildren.

I remember Christmas Eve gathered in her basement singing Christmas carols and waiting for Santa to ring the doorbell.

I remember how she opened her apartment doors to a steady stream of family, a genuine smile of welcome to each and every one.

I remember being surprised by her spunk and laughter and how well she managed to live on her own for so long.

I remember my husband opening the door to her new home, steadying her hands as she climbed in our car for a lunch date.

I remember her voice on the other end of the phone quickly telling me about her day so she could hear more of my stories and share in my joys.

I remember spontaneous visits and the look of joyful surprise that spread from her arms to mine.

I remember picking her up at her home to drive the few blocks to my grandparents’ home and the sighs of contentment and sparkle in her eye as she fell into place in this circle of family.

I remember holding her hand, stroking her hair, and leaning close to hear her whisper, “I’m so glad you’re here.”

I remember her eyes, begging me to keep holding her hand as her body grew weaker and her spirit slowly faded.

I remember kissing her one last time and the way my soul ached all the way home and how the tears finally came in gut-wrenching sobs from the hole in my heart that can never fully heal here on earth.

I remember my husband holding me closing and whispering softly what I already knew: “she’s gone…”

I remember a woman who lived a rich and full life, whose legacy lives on in the multitude of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

I remember and I will never forget this piece of my heart that forever belongs to my one and only Grandma D.

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I am Stephanie, writer at Girl of Grace. I blog about family, marriage, and motherhood, but, most importantly, about grace, God’s beautiful and undeserved gift of grace. I am a stay-at-home mom of two, soon-to-be three, and wife of over 6 years to my best friend. My story is about learning to live in the joy of the Lord and embracing the life He has blessed me with, both in seasons of plenty and seasons of drought. I may be the hands writing the words, but God is the one directing my path and creating beauty out of my mess.