Grammie’s Pie

The visit was planned.
A drive to Vermont after Christmas to celebrate with extended family.
Pack the car, her husband would drive; she would be in the passenger seat.
Three children in the back, the littlest one asleep soon after the engine started.

Such anticipation.
Leaving Christmas presents and decorations behind was not a problem.
Family time was something precious; a gift that needs no ribbons or bows.
The best of both worlds: Christmas here, another family Christmas there.

God had different plans.

In preparation for their visit, Grammie got everything ready.
She baked muffins, cookie bars, and an angel food cake.
She was a well-known baker at a Vermont Truck Stop.
Known affectionately as “Grammie’s Restaurant”, her homemade breads and pies were legendary.

Grammie was 91 years old.
There was nothing about this woman that was old.
Grammie was cleaning a bathroom to ready it for her special guests.
She fell and hit her head; a few days later a brain bleed was discovered and Grammie died.

Grammie died the day after Christmas.
Grammie died the day before the Pennsylvania family was to arrive.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day drastically changed in focus.
Going home took on a new meaning.

Grammie was a strong believer in the Lord Jesus.
Grammie trusted in Jesus alone for her salvation.
All the things she did, all the baking she did, all her good works, were an outpouring.
An outpouring of her love and faith in Jesus.

Grammie married her husband in 1942 when she was 19 years old.
Together they had 6 children, 20 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren.
Grammie met her husband in high school where they played in the school band.
Together, they played music at their church; Grammie played the clarinet her entire life.

Her beloved husband died ten months ago.
Seventy-two years of marriage and now together for all eternity with Jesus in Heaven.
What could have been a trip of despair for extended family was truly a Celebration of Life.
A Home-going celebration of a life well lived.

The extended family, though they grieve, does not grieve without Hope.
The extended family, though they will miss her terribly, knows they will see her again.
I know one of Grammie’s granddaughters well.
She wrote a letter after her Grammie’s death; a catharsis, a tribute, her heart in words.

I was going to bring my flute and play you carols.  I wanted to show you a video of the girls singing in church.  I wanted to tell you about how we took the girls caroling last night and how I played my flute in the Christmas Eve instrumental ensemble just like you and Grampa did in church for so many years...I wanted to sit and chat and reminisce and laugh with you.  I wanted to be with my family again…spending time with you. On the other hand, I’m so happy you don’t have to experience a Christmas without Grampa.  I’m sure you weren’t looking forward to it. I can only imagine what your reunion with him in heaven will be like…You are the greatest woman I’ve ever known.  Strong. Faithful. Godly. Wise. Patient. Honest. Funny. Loving. A woman of prayer. Those are just a few words to describe you…I love you Grammie.  More than you will ever know.  I wish I had one more chance to tell you that today. But I know in my heart you knew that we loved, respected, and appreciated you.  I am so happy that I have the confidence that I will see you again.  Give Grampa a hug for me when you get there!  I will now imagine you together again walking down those Streets of Gold.  Until we meet again…

Grief with HOPE.
Hope because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross and His resurrection.
Hope-filled grief has a peace and a beauty that transcends this world.

Grief without Jesus is vastly different.
Grief without Jesus has no surety.
Grief without Jesus has no confidence that you will ever see your loved ones again.

Grammie had frozen some of the pie crusts she prepared.
She would prepare the pies later and bake them when family arrived.
Family came, but Grammie was already HOME.

Her granddaughter, that I know well, brought one of those pie crusts home.
She would finish her Grammie’s pie here in Pennsylvania.
She would bake it and eat it with her family one last time.
A tribute to the legendary baker, the loving Grammie, the Godly woman.

I am sure there was never a pie more delicious.
The love that went into the mixing, the rolling of the dough with her own hands.
Grammie’s signature finger pinches around the crust.
Fingerprints of love.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:27-30)

Well done, good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:21)