My mother grew up in Wisconsin...hence our frequent trips there. She travelled to the bald prairie of Southern Saskatchewan in 1973 to go to Bible school at Briercrest in Caronport and met my Dad there. Her family stayed in Wisconsin and when her and my Dad married in 1975 she moved to Saskatoon and they been living there ever since. She is a dual citizen and we have always enjoyed heading down to visit our family there. My Opa and Oma are very special and we have so many great memories of visiting them. This last time was no different. These pics were taken the night before we left to travel back home to Nipawin. They took the four of us out to eat for supper at B.J. Clancy's (a traditional favourite with my family and trip to WI would not be the same without it) and then we went back to their apartment for dessert. My Opa can dish up a sweet bowl of ice cream...he is where I get my sweet tooth from. Dessert is not just his specialty. Opa is great in the kitchen. Oma loves to knit, spend time with the ladies in their building and watch all things WI...from the college team sports to the NFL! They both swim at the YMCA three times a week. They are generous, loving and full of love for their Saviour.
I found it harder to say goodbye to them this time because the older I get the more I realize that life is fragile. When I was younger I thought they would be around forever. Just before we left that night I sat down with Opa on the couch while the others where in the TV room watching a game. We don't typically have this one on one time together but he made use of it well. I can't remember his exact words but he reminded me that he is getting older and that is body is not always working like he'd want. BUT, he said, he's ready to go be with Jesus whenever the Lord calls him home. He told me that we never know when we will see someone for the last time. He said all of this with a joy and peace and I didn't feel like it was a downer. He was stating facts and I think, preparing me. I left there that evening with a lot on my mind and it made a lot more sense a couple months later when my mom called and told me that Opa had been diagnosed with bone cancer. Just like my Grandpa Skeldon, Opa's prostate cancer had turned to a much more aggressive type of cancer.
So far he is doing well but I know what it was like for Grandpa Skeldon and when it started getting bad it was very painful and it did not take very long. We continue to pray for Opa but it brings me great hope to know that he is willing to accept whatever God has for him. It is an attitude that I want to also have whether I am staring down a tough decision, a bad day with the kids, or something more life altering like cancer.
We have been blessed to be taught, whether directly or indirectly, by the example of faithful grandparents. Thank you Jesus for these gifts!
