Two months ago I went with my mother and grandmother 45 minutes south to visit my grandparents on my dad's side. They haven't been well for quite some time, and we wanted to see them. I went with an additional reason. Rhubarb was in season, and I had a craving! My grandparents are the only ones I know that grow it to it give away, and I was so blessed for it! They don't really cook anymore, and could have gotten rid of it. Yet they kept it, to give.
I looked around their property as they pointed things out. The onions they still grew. The sage was coming up too. The fish, and forget-me-not pond. The flowers that were everywhere. My grandparents grew. It's what they did most of their life. On their property. In their home. In their greenhouse. In their flower shop. They grew and gave. They still do.
It was right about the time that I was enjoying, and feeling blessed by all they grew that I realized not to long from now, sooner than I can imagine it would all be gone. My grandparents would be gone. I started thinking when that happens who will grow and give? My whole family has lived off the things they grew. A garden when I was young supplied us with veggies. At some point every year my mother has gotten flowers. I have made pies with the fruit. Aunts, cousins, and neighbors have all been blessed. Who would continue? Who would carry this blessing on?
I then realized that this was part of their legacy. They grew and gave. This is what has been handed down through generations. This is what was taught to my Dad, Aunts, Uncles, and even me. To grow. To give. This is how they showed love. They fed the hungry with their produce, and gave beauty to the weary with their flowers. They love. What an amazing legacy. What an honor!
I already grow sad for the day when I can no longer go to them for their love. Both love in life, and love in what they grow and give.
I wondered too as I stood there, what would my legacy be? Would I one day grow and give also? There is no one else in the family to get Rhubarb from. Would I show love in such a simple and beautiful way? Would I be remembered by my grandchildren for all that I did with creation? No matter what my legacy is, I hope that one day it means as much to my family as my grandparents legacy means to me. Thank you Grandma, and Grandpa Bocko for growing and giving your love.
