The Messages They Leave Behind

The reality is I’ve had this idea for a long time. Those who are closest to me know I’ve had this blog idea lingering in my mind for years, and it had hit extra strength about 6 months ago. The vision, the journals of content and ideas, etc., it’s all been there. Then, late last year became a trying time for both myself and my family. Two staples in our lives were suddenly called to Heaven; my Grandma Schlangen and my Grandpa Lieser – AKA Smiley.

During that time many would share the perspective that we should be grateful for the time we did have with them. Believe me-- we absolutely are. But while that relationship was a true blessing, it made their loss all the more difficult. It was a series of emotions that rocked me to my core and pushed me to look inward and to look up.

Shortly after both of their passing I was asked to give their eulogies. While an honor to be asked, it also challenged me in several ways.

It challenged me to find my voice. A voice I know I have, but a voice that has often been easily blocked.

It challenged me not only to find my voice, but to use it to share a message I knew so many people needed to hear at such a hard time. A message that spoke their truth. A truth I thought I understood, but quickly learned there was so much more to understand. A message I know they would want shared as a symbol of their lives.

And it challenged me to have the confidence and strength to deliver that message to a full church.

In both situations, my initial reaction to being asked was “of course – I would be honored, but I need people to help share stories.” Grandma and Grandpa’s stories were different, just as their lives were. Grandma’s was all about family. She was a fearless mother of 12 children who embodied strong Faith in all that she did. At times she was stubborn, but she was unapologetically herself which I, like many, always adored.

While Grandpa was about family and Faith as well, his message was different. His impact on the community needed to shine through. It needed to be shared as an important part of who he was and what he stood for. The lives he touched through his business as well as his community involvement was hard to fathom. And his symbolic Smile aligned with his work hard play hard mindset.

In the days leading up to their funerals, family members shared stories and while stories were shared, questions were posed. I learned the story of how Grandma and Grandpa Lieser met for the first time and about how Grandma Schlangen was diagnosed with an illness and told early in life she wouldn’t live long and wouldn’t have children. There were stories shared that were assumed everyone knew, and there were questions that were asked that remain unanswered.

Through the stories that were shared throughout the grieving process and the weeks and months moving forward, there have been some key messages and lessons that they left behind.

1. First and foremost, if your grandparents are still living, heck this goes for anyone you have a relationship with, take time to get to know them.

I mean REALLY get to know them.

Tell stories with each other and ask questions. Put your dang phone down and have a conversation.

Learn about them.

How did they get to where they are?

What do they value?

What are they passionate about?

What can they teach you?

2. Always seek guidance when you need help: Whether it’s people here with us on Earth, God, our Angels or our higher powers above, we don’t do anything on our own and we would be foolish to think that we do.

3. Recognize we all have a story: While we have similarities, we are all uniquely made and have a beautiful gift to share with the world if we choose to listen and tap into it. It will become our legacy and be the staple of how people remember us.

4. Remain grateful for every day: No matter how long or short our life is in years, we never truly know when our time will come to be called to Heaven.

5. Smile: As Grandma lived, life was meant to be celebrated -- visitors, friends, families, and victories big or small. Grandpa lived by this so strongly he coined the nickname early in life and it never lost hold.

6. Pray for other people’s prayers: It’s the deepest form of love and strongest form of Faith I have yet to experience. Recognize it isn’t about you and what you feel is best for you; it’s about what is best for that person.

7. Work Hard – Play Hard: Just as Grandpa worked his tail off laying foundations, he recognized the need to celebrate a job well done. It’s looked at as the Lieser motto. Have a strong work ethic but make sure when doing so to enjoy life and not take anything too seriously.

8. Have Faith: Believe in something bigger than yourself. Turn to prayer in times of gratitude and in times of need.

9. Live your truth: Understand what you stand for. Stay true to what you believe in. Live with determination, passion and love.

10. Always look for a sign in the chaos. A beauty in the madness. A glimmer of hope through the pain.

#grandparents #grounded #faith