Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: In-Law(s) (05/08/08)
-
TITLE: "Grandmother and Pop" | Previous Challenge Entry
By Michelle Mitchell
05/10/08 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
As much as I love the written word, I am afraid that words in and of themselves, are quite inadequate when it comes to sharing how it is that I feel about my “In-Laws”. As I seek to quantify the expanse of time in order that I might expound on the past 27 years of my married life, I am overwhelmed with emotion. I was only 19 years old when I married their only son. Today however, I realize just how much they are a part of who I am… the woman I have grown to be. My in-laws, a/k/a Grandmother and Pop, have always been there for my husband and me. They have been there through the very best of times and the very worst of times. I can only surmise that it was God, in his infinite mercy and wisdom that brought them into my life or me into theirs.
Yes, God knew before the very foundation of the world just how hard those early years would be. I remember the day my father-in-law took our first-born son into his arms. I watched his whole body tremble as he whispered, “There is no greater love than this”. As much as I wanted to be a “stay home” Mom, the reality was that I would have to return to work. Albeit hard, I was the only working mother I knew, who had in-laws willing to use their own vacation time from work, to help me care for my children when they were sick. Ah, they were there through a burned hand, high fevers, tonsils, chicken pox and daycare problems. They remained true through new houses, wrecked cars and tons & tons of leaves. Amazingly enough there was always room at their table when groceries were hard to buy.
The Lord knew in his sovereignty that I would lose my own Mother very unexpectedly. I never loved my mother-in-law more than when she helped my Dad cook that first Christmas Dinner after my Mom’s death. It has been 15 years now since the Lord took my Mother home. Even still, my mother-in-law makes it her business to ensure that my birthday is always just a little more special because of it.
My in-laws were supportive of my husband and me when we made that all so final decision that I would quit my public job to say home with our children. I knew how afraid they were for us but rather than saying as much, my father-in-law taught me how to love the land. My mother-in-law would teach me how to can and freeze fresh vegetables…. storing them up for the winter. Far greater than this would be the memories that I would store within the confines of my heart.
Today, my father-in-law remains the kindest, gentlest man I have ever known. As for my mother-in-law let me just say this- and her daughter-in-law rises up and calls her blessed.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
