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Christmas with Grandma Harner

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The VOICE of Inspiration

By Don Lindsey

With my last couple of columns being about family members and the holiday season in mid-swing, I’ve decided to keep the topic of family as my focus. This week, the spotlight falls on my mother’s mom, Grandma Harner.

Both of my grandmothers were very important parts of my life and to this day I miss them dearly. One of the biggest things I miss is the Christmas Eve parties at Grandma Harner’s place. There was a room that she kept shut off throughout the rest of the year that would be opened to handle all of the guests. It was also the room where the Christmas tree was put up. I think back on family members that are no longer with me such as my brother, my uncle and my grandmother and am thankful for the memories we shared at those parties. There are also many fond memories of playing with cousins that I didn’t get to see that much. When there was snow outside, you could find a bunch of us out playing in it before going in to unwrap presents.

Grandma Harner would always have a toy for each of her grandkids. Nothing too expensive because she had a bunch of us, but somehow anything she bought you or gave to you, seemed at the time to be the best gift you had ever been given. The reason behind this is because everything she did was with love. She loved all of her grandkids equally and yet if you asked each of us, we would say that we were her favorite because that’s just how she made you feel. If you were happy, she made you happier. If you were sad, her great sense of humor and loving approach would turn that around very quickly. She was everything you could want in a grandmother and more.

It’s hard to think about Christmas without thinking about my grandmother. She was very committed to God and I can remember her telling me that Christmas was about the birth of Christ first and foremost. When I think back on all of my time with her, I realize that in her own subtle way, she was planting the seeds for me to consider having my own relationship with the Lord and that is something that I am beyond grateful for. I can still remember going to church with her on weekends that I visited and seeing how much she enjoyed worshiping. Her love for God is something that still inspires me to this day.

As I sit here reminiscing on those Christmas Eve parties with Grandma and past traditions, I find myself looking forward to this year and spending time with my parents, wife, children, and family. If my grandmother taught me anything, it’s that family and the Lord are the two most important things in this world and Christmas is a perfect time to celebrate that.

Don Lindsey is a follower of Christ, son, husband, father, and a survivor. Originally from Dayton Ohio, and resident of Apopka for six years, Don sees his life as a dedication to his wife, parents, children, and community.

Don Lindsey, Inspiration

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