This is a picture of my great grandparents (on my mama's side). Somewhere long ago one of my relatives couldn't say "Grandmother" and it came out "Mucca". She was affectionately called Mucca the rest of her long life. Mucca lovingly referred to my great Grandfather as "Grandfeathers". To this day, when I think of them It makes me smile.
I was fourteen years old when Mucca passed away. I think she was 91 when she went home to celebrate with Jesus.
She was the only person I knew that was excited about death. After Grandfeathers passing, she was lonely. She would tell us that she was "tired". I remember going to a funeral of a great aunt of mine hearing Mucca say "I love this place!" The hair on the back of my twelve year old neck stood up and my stomach did a flip flop. I knew that Mucca wouldn't be around forever but I couldn't imagine our lives without her sweet smile.
When I close my eyes and think of Mucca, vivid memories rush back. Walking up the steps to the front porch and knocking on the front door. Each time we would come for a visit, she would swing the front door wide with a great big smile on her face. Her voice would practically sing "WELL HELLOOO!!!!" Next came the great big hugs. We always ended up in the kitchen, where a special treat was almost always waiting on us.
Grandfeathers had a vice for Milky Way bars and there were always a few of them in the ice box (that's how he enjoyed them best).
The old house that they lived in had a grandfather clock. Sometimes when I let my mind wander back to the old house I can hear the rhythmic tick....tock.....tick....tock. Oh, and it would chime on the hour. There was something so comforting about listening to it. Everyone would always stop mid conversation to listen as it chimed.
The narrow stairs led to bedrooms and the old fashioned bathroom. This was always such an interesting place to explore. Tip toeing down the hall, trying to avoid the creaky spots in the floor because playing with her old fashioned perfumes was always great fun! The silver brush on the dresser beckoned me to brush my hair while looking into her antique mirror. Little did I know, that very dresser would end up in my bedroom after she passed.
The old house was full of fun little treasures. I always looked forward to our visits just so I could go exploring the cellar. It was musty and smelled of coal. I loved how the house seemed to be stuck in time. It had a summer kitchen and a parlor. In the backyard there was even a working water pump! That made for some fun playtime in the heat of the summer!
I remember fondly as we would walk down the stairs, she would smile at me and say "you're young and can take the stairs quicker than I. I have to take them one at a time".
Mucca was always put together well and only wore a nice dress and stockings.
She loved to play her little electric organ . Sometimes, Mucca would sit down at the little organ in the small sitting room and she would play for us.
Her most favorite song was the hymn "His eye is on the sparrow". She would sing like she was the only person in the room with Jesus.
The song isn't played much anymore but when it is, I can hear her sweet voice.
I can see her small delicate frame and her soft wrinkled face all lit up and smiling. Looking heavenward. "I sing because I'm happy. I sing because I'm free, For his eye is on the sparrow. And i know he watches me."
I happened to hear this song today while listening to my Internet radio. The irony in this is, I was listening to a different genre of Christian music. Immediately, thoughts of my Mucca singing in her sitting room came flooding back.
I knew this was a smile from God.
Sometimes He does small things like this to let us know he is right here with us.
The song is written based on Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds: they do not sow seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds? (GNB translation)
The lyrics are absolutely beautiful and comforting to reflect upon:
Why should I feel discouraged.
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
and long for heaven and home
When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is he
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches over me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me
I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know. He watches. Me
This song is just amazing to sit and meditate on. When you really stop and listen. Let it sink in all the way to your bones. What a comfort in times of trouble.
As I continue through my life's journey, I often stop and think of sweet Mucca. I wonder what she would think of my writing. You see, my Mucca liked to write too and she passed it on to my mom.
I guess you could say it's in our blood.
And now my son. He's discovered writing and he loves making up his own stories and songs. He has several notebooks and journals laying around our home and I love to take a peek every now and then. I'm amazed at his creativity!
Sweet Mucca left us such a legacy. In many ways I think she reflected the Proverbs 31 woman of her time.
She speaks with a gentle wisdom Proverbs 31:26
Things have changed so much since she was a thirty something mama. I think she would be reeling at the way things operate now days.
Even though she has been gone for many, many years, I still look up to the wonderful woman that she was.
photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojoey/4242357334/">mojoey</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>
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Thanks, Krista, for taking us along on your sweet journey - what a gift of love your "Mucca" left for you! And the lyrics to that song are so beautiful and comforting. I am a "grama" now to ten sweet grandkids - your post was inspiring to me ... thanks! (Linking up after you at Faith Barista - thankful I came here to visit!)
ReplyDeleteThanks Cherry for stopping by!
DeleteEnjoy those grandkids! :)
Blessings,
Krista
I love hearing these stories of your grandparents; they remind me so much of my own memories.
ReplyDelete"I knew this was a smile from God. Sometimes He does small things like this to let us know he is right here with us."
I love that so much about God!
I've heard that song many times myself (although it's been awhile!)--I understand why your Mucca loved it. She must have been an amazing woman.
Thank you LIsa!
DeleteShe was an amazing woman. Even though it's been almost 30 years since she left us, I still miss her and think of her often. :)
Have a wonderful day!
Krista
Thank you for sharing these nostalgic memories, Krista. I love that song, and it's so beautiful how God "smiled" with this song. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was my pleasure Trudy! :)
DeleteHave a wonderful day!