helen

Helen was born in 1920. Her father taught her to box so that she could stand up to her 6 brothers. When she grew up, she worked as a Principal's Assistant. After filling in for a few teachers, the Principal told her she ought to be a teacher too. She went back to school and got her degree. She taught kindergarten, then special ed., and rode a motorbike to work.

I met Helen almost 2 years ago. Jake had never brought a girl to Vermont to meet his Grammy before. She and I were fast friends, and then pen pals too, and time with Grammy has acted as stepping stones for our relationship- our first road trip, my first time with Jake's family, our first time looking at engagement rings, then working through putting off the engagement due to Jake's MS diagnosis, and then last Christmas, our actual engagement on the frozen beaver ponds behind Grammy's house. Gram's example challenges me- her energy, humor, faith. She said a few months ago that she prays every day for God to work His purpose through her life. She is 91, and still daily seeking God's purpose for her life. She also has these wonderful little phrases- "I need to make a visit," instead of "I need to go to the bathroom", "Let's go make some whoopi!" instead of "Let's go out on the town." There are lots of them- I need to be better at writing them down.

This weekend was our first time to visit since the wedding. Grammy couldn't make the trip down to Connecticut- what with being 91 and all- so when she sent her reluctantly declining reply, she sent it with a letter detailing her heart to be with us on our special day. The RSVP was sent to my mom, who replied to Grammy's letter. Of course, Grammy responded too, and so started another pen pal relationship, between my mom and my grandma-in-law. They have a lot in common- love for their kids, love for their grandkids, love for their Jesus. This weekend was their first time meeting in person.

It was the most precious of times. Breakfast on Saturday at our favorite place. Time driving through the mountains of Vermont, all 5 of us in one car, and Grammy pointing out clouds shaped like puppies or open-mouthed fish. We even spend Saturday afternoon singing hymns together to Gram's organ playing. On our way home last night, I found this in the glove box of our car:

Dear Kimberly + Jacob,

You people are certainly something very special in God's eyes, + mine too! God bless ALWAYS!

Love, Gram