* Madre *

I call my grandmother "Madre" it means "mother" in Spanish.  I assume that It's because that's what my mom calls her and so yeah it just made sense.

I spent a lot of summers at my grandmother's house in Guatemala and besides almost dying every single time due to her three cats and two dogs, I loved every minute.

I started drinking coffee probably at the age of 7 so it's no wonder that coffee, french bread, cheese and black beans were my staple while at my grandmother's house.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner.  No joke!  I lived on that stuff and I probably still could.  It's heaven in my mouth.

Anyway, I remember plenty about my grandmother but more importantly there are a few key things that will always stay with me.  I realize that my grandma is still around and that I can continue to cherish my time spent with her but in all reality it isn't the same anymore.

My grandmother still has the biggest heart, she still loves Jesus with every part of her being but she is slowly drifting. 

"Gracias Jesus" those words have been uttered out of my grandmother's mouth more times that I can count.  I remember thinking it was so weird to hear her constantly thanking Jesus.  I was a child and I would look around trying to see what it was she was saying thank you for.  I never physically saw anything and I don't think she was even thinking of anything in specific, she was just always thanking Jesus with a sincere heart.  I get it now.  I understand that finding true joy stems from thanksgiving.  I realize that she was just praising God and showing gratitude for everything in her life. 

My grandmother always spent hours reading her Bible.  I have one of her favorite Bibles all torn and falling apart.  I don't know how I scored that gem but the Bible is in Spanish so I haven't explored it too much.  When I was a kid she would just walk up to me and start reading, anything at all just random things out of the Bible.  (At least I thought they were random).  I realize now that she was reading scripture to me to encourage me, lift me up and to sew the seeds of God's word in my heart.

She always sang.  There was always an old hymn being sung by her while she cooked, while she cleaned, as she washed clothes as she walked around the house arms in the air I remember telling her she sounded like Snow White.  Sometimes she would sing to me and smile and I would roll my eyes thinking how silly she was.  In reality I think I inherited the singing from her.  I tend to do that with my kids now and they smile at me and think I'm silly.  

I used to color with her all the time and when I got in to Barbie she made the Barbies clothes.  She made one of my Barbies an amazing wedding dress. I still have it too!

I am thankful for her relentless love of Jesus and for her sharing that passion with me and being that example.

I am blessed by these women in my life.  I pray that I can pass on the love and passion for Jesus to my girl like my mom and grandmother have done for me.