Serendipity Summer

When school ended after 5th grade, another move was imminent. Fortunately for Brian and I, we were able to spend some of our summer with Granny and Gramps. What fun we had digging a hole, scrounging up some boards to put a roof on our cave.  Playing football with the neighbor boys...I liked to "hike" the ball!  There was a little neighborhood store on the street corner where we made some new friends. Their parents owned the store.  Joan and Bud were our age so we did many things together. Granny would drop us off at the city pool for the afternoon and then pick us up 3 hours later. Great fun but I still remember how my lungs ached when I took a deep breath after swimming in the chlorinated water and breathing in the smog.  Quite a potent combination.

Another favorite place to be "dumped" for hours...the roller skating rink.   Round and round we would skate for 3 or 4 hours!

Then there was all the delicious food that Granny fixed.  I remember being able to eat real butter - all Iwanted!  My great grandfather lived with my grandparents.  Great Granddad always loved his pinto beans, raw onions and cornbread!  And he had not teeth!  Television was also a very special treat for us at Granny & Gramps. Does that ever date me??  Mickey Mouse Club, Fred Astaire/Ginger Roger, Shirley Temple movies...those were the days!

Granny and Gramps loved to camp and go fishing.  It was a great adventure to take the boat to the ocean and fish.  Worms, anyone??  Sure, I love to put them on the hook!  That is...I like doing it, not my brother, Brian!!!  It was a wonderful time in the sun, relaxing on the boat and hoping to catch something.  I believe I did catch a fish but I probably should check that out with Brian!  He no doubt has a different memory of what I caught or didn't catch!!!

The most important lasting impression from all our summers with Granny wash ow much she loved the Lord and the close relationship she had with Him.  Every night, I would fall asleep with her kneeling by our bed (actually, an old fashioned hide a bed) praying diligently for everyone.  At age 7, I had attended church with Granny...she taught a children's class.  It was in her class that I accepted Christ as my Savior and she began telling me that maybe some day I would be a missionary in Africa!!!  I always shouted "NO!" in my head.  What mysterious ways the Lord works in our lives!