Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. Psalm 71:17-19 (NIV)
I was blessed to be raised with both sets of grandparents nearby. My maternal grandparents lived in a house with a large shady yard. It sloped down to a creek where we were not allowed to play without an adult as alligators often came on shore to sun. Huge oak trees sheltered the lawn, which was planted with several different gardens. Rose bushes, neatly spaced in a bed, brightened the surroundings with their brilliant colors. Passionflower vine climbed the TV antennae by the garage and attracted a variety of butterflies. My favorite spot was a rock garden with a waterfall and small pond. My grandfather, an engineer, was ahead of his time and utilized geothermal air conditioning when he built the house in the 1950s. An energy efficient system, the waterfall recycled water from the unit, but I simply thought it beautiful. I stayed for hours in that paradise and did not mind weeding and cleaning leaves out of the pond because it seemed like play. My paternal grandparents lived on the beach. Directly across the street was the bay where we could swim, build sand castles and collect shells. That grandmother also loved to garden, but in contrast to the lush green creek side garden, her plantings had to tolerate salt, sun and sand. She grew a sweeping climbing cactus up the side of a palm tree. It bloomed only at night and was a rare delight. I cannot smell the spicy scent of nasturtiums without thinking of her and the large mounds of them right outside her back door. A huge clump of sea grapes produced fruit that she turned into jelly each year. The influence of my grandparents can be seen in my own yard. Like my grandmother, I have a rose garden that gifts me with flowers to share and display. I also have a small pond and waterfall whose gentle melody calms my spirit. I have not been successful in getting passionflower vine to grow in my yard, but I coaxed a thick bed of nasturtiums from seed passed down from my grandmother to my mother to me. Plants are not the only legacy my grandparents gave me. One grandmother taught me to cook. Another to devour books like most children consumed candy. One grandfather instilled a love of nature and hiking. Some of my earliest memories are of my hand in his walking down to see the sea. The other demonstrated a generous and giving heart that beats within my own body as well. The greatest gift that they gave me is my spiritual heritage. All loved God and taught me to love Him as well. They told me Bible stories and tales of missionaries who gave their lives to tell others about God. They prayed for our family daily. I believe those prayers are still being answered today. Their legacy lives on in me. I will pass it along to my children, and they to theirs and the cycle will continue into eternity.
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