Grandma's Feathers

Feathers always remind me of my Grandma. Anytime she found a feather in her yard, she saved it for me to use in art projects. Sometimes she mailed me a letter and one or two feathers were enclosed. Often I received a package from Grandma that was hand-delivered by my Mom, and included were a few feathers, an article she thought I’d be interested in reading or maybe an old family photo or artifact. These gifts from her were (and still are) so precious to me, that she was thinking of me and wanted me to have those things. Of course, I wasn’t the only recipient of her thoughtfulness. Grandma always had a stack of things saved and ready to give to a particular person if they had a hobby or interest, and if she thought they could do something with it.
Grandma passed away a couple weeks ago, on June 25th.  She lived on her farm in central Illinois where I grew up, and I’m so very thankful to have been with her during her last moments with us. Mom and I were singing to her, old favorite hymns. As we sang, such calmness surrounded the three of us. I’ll never forget the last words my Grandma heard before she went to Heaven:
“Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.”

I hope to continue Grandma's tradition of thoughtfulness and kindness, and I'll try to be mindful of others. In the meantime, you can find me in the garden, looking for feathers.