When I was pregnant with my daughter, TRUTH, I ate a hot dog every single day for lunch. People thought I was crazy ~ I'd walk over the Circle K and they knew. I'm sure at about the 7 month mark they wondered if I was really pregnant or if I was suffering hot dog belly!
After she was born, it was on a rare occasion I'd have a hot dog.
Last spring while visiting my grandfather, a high light of the entire trip was his arriving to the outdoor deck restaurant and my ordering up a hot dog. They knew exactly what he wanted a "Pelican Bay Sabrett Hot Dog with pickle relish on the side"
Thinking of him today as I was visiting my grandmother, and my eyes began to leak as I shared with my grandmother the values my grandfather left with his family.
My grandfather was an incredible man who had an immeasurable of for his family. He instilled in us the value of family, the importance of integrity, the must of a work ethic, to live with a determination to always strive to be your very best, to have a heart of generosity, to live a life of faith upon faith, to share laughter, to love with all of your heart and to be true to yourself and your roots.
As I was sharing these words with my grandmother, I shared with her this too ~ he always made each of us (his children & grand children) feel like THEY were his favorite. What an amazing gift!
My grandfather grew up in a home where affections were not show. My grandmother never saw his mother kiss him, not even upon his return from world war 2. When she shared this I was surprised. My grandfather always hugged us, and kissed our cheeks. I will never (ever) forget when he kissed me directly on the mouth as a grown adult ~ it was not the norm and surprised me a bit. I adored my grandfather.
My grandmother replied to my comment about all of us feeling like his favorite "I hope he heard that"... I'm certain he did.
As I thought longer and more about the conversation, I thought about Jesus. How he too makes me feel like I am most important. How makes me feel oh so abundantly loved. How he is always there. How he protects me from hurts, heals me when they happen and lets me lean into him when I need Him.
So blessed I am to have a grandfather who made me feel as loved and adored as my heavenly father!
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15