Passing Down Family Stories

- Mary May Larmoyeux - Many years ago, as a friend and I ate lunch together, we talked about passing down family stories. She referred to a passage in Psalms 78 that tells about the importance of sharing spiritual stories. We talked about how to tell younger generations what God has done in our lives.... Read more.

For the Sake of Your Legacy

by Mary May Larmoyeux

A few weeks ago I unexpectedly ran into an old friend. One of the first things she asked was, “Did I know about her divorce? … Had I heard?”

I had not.

After more than three decades of married life, my friend and her husband called it quits. Her words seemed like one more marriage
 …read more.

A computer crash and Hunter Mahen

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Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux

About a month ago Jim's and my computer crashed. My first thought went to the family pictures and videos on it: Would they be lost?  To make a very long story short, with the help of the great tech department at Staples, everything was retrieved on the hard drive and the computer is now up and running.

But the almost disaster made me really think about how quickly life goes by ... and how few years on this earth I have left, compared with how many I've already lived.   When I was temporarily not connected to the electronic world, Jim said something that made me really think: "Maybe God is giving you the gift of peace."

I think that he was right. 

And with that gift of peace  I've decided to make a few changes to the Grand Connection blog.  I'll continue to post, but not every Tuesday and every Friday. Instead, there will be regular Grand Connection posts on the first Tuesday of the month and on the third Friday.   

What will I do with my extra time? Get family pictures in order, write down those family stories, go through boxes of photos that only I can identify.  And of course, spend time with those precious grandkids (we'll have number seven this fall).

When I read about what happened to golfer Hunter Mahan recently, it made me think that I'm making the right decision. Mahan was at the Canadian Open and it looked like he would win the tournament because he had a two-stroke lead. But instead of winning he withdrew before the third and final round.  Why? His wife went into labor in Dallas.

So instead of becoming a million dollars richer by winning the Canadian Open, Mahan was given the priceless gift of being with his wife, Kandi, when their first child was born.  Imagine what his little girl will think of her dad when she is told what happened on the day she was born. How will that make her feel about the value of her life?   

What could be more important than our relationships with God and with our families?   

How do you choose between what's good and what's best? And what tips do you have for grandparents who want to leave priceless legacies to their grandchildren?

  "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

                                  (Matthew 6:21)

He is able,
Mary 
Mary May Larmoyeux
www.grandconnection.org


Post and photo © Mary Mary Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Preserving the Pillars of Family History

Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux


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When Carnegie Library in Little Rock, Arkansas, was razed almost 50 years ago, Carl Martin picked up 16 limestone drums and loaded them into his pickup truck. According to the January 24, 2009, issue of The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 45 years later, those same 16 drums are back in their original formation of four columns (four drums per column).

They now proudly stand in front of the Main Library in Little Rock because the Martin family donated them to the library. “If you had to buy those drums, Bobby Roberts (the library system’s director) said, “they’d cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to get.”

Well, who would have guessed in 1964 that 16 discarded drums (considered debris by most) would one day be prized treasures?

This story made me think of my legacy and reminds me of the importance of passing down the “pillars” of family history. When I think of my dad, for example, I think of a man of integrity. “When you write a check, Mary,” he told me as a teenager, “it’s a promise that the money is in the bank.”

And Pop’s dad, who was an officer in World War II, was carrying rations in a metal box when he stepped on a land mine. Although the explosion shattered his leg, he lived—thanks, in part to the metal box. Servant-leadership takes on a whole new meaning when I think of this.

Then I think of the story of Pops becoming a Christian, both of our sons’ premature births, my days as a child on “the farm,” … I could go on and on.

I need to write down the stories that portray the character, values, and faith of our grandkids’ forefathers. After all, I don’t want the “columns” of our family to be forgotten ... buried in my mind for decades, if not forever.

A good friend of mine, Karen Jordan, has a blog, Blessed Journal. I love her story "The Treasure." She shares about the difference that one Sunday school teacher made in her life. (Karen and I do a workshop together called “Capturing Your Story.”)

What "columns" hold your family together? One day the family stories we capture will be priceless treasures for a generation we will never see.

Have a great week!
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com


Article © 2009 Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.

Photo © Erengoksel / Dreamstime.com

Little Grandmama

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Tuesday's Grand Connection Thought

by Mary May Larmoyeux

Jay Grelen, who writes the Sweet Tea column for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, once told his readers about Little Grandmama. He had found her Bible and it had only one line of handwriting: Tribulation worketh patience. Romans 5:3.

Jay said he wondered what Little Grandmama was thinking as she penned those words. "Her inscription is a word from beyond," he said, "a pebble she dropped exactly at the spot on my trail where I needed guidance."

As grandparents, doesn't that just give you chills wondering if perhaps something we write to our grandchildren today will be used by God tomorrow at just the right moment. Perhaps in generations to come, a great-great grandchild's finger will trace over our words in a worn Bible or yellowed letter. Perhaps our legacy will silently thank us for giving them hope ... for reminding them that God has a plan ... that things do work out.

"Little Grandmama knew," Jay said. "And one day she took pen in gentle hand and put it to paper, knowing that up the trail aways, we, too, would need to know."

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com/

© 2009 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
Photo © Betty McPherson (photo is Betty's grandmother)

Great-Grandmothers are Special

Tuesday’s Grand Connection Thought
by Mary May Larmoyeux

Last year our family had a mini family-reunion. A highlight was when my mother entered the room. The children had colored some pictures for her and several held flowers. As the little ones were waiting for their great-grandmother to arrive, you could hear excited echoes spread throughout the room: “She’s coming, she’s coming!"

When Mom joined the family, there was something good and right about showing honor and respect to her—the oldest member of our family. The one who has made countless sacrifices for every one of us. The one who knows the stories of six generations. The one who says over and over, “Things have a way of working out,” because she’s seen God’s faithfulness in the good and bad times.

I want to join Mom and pass on her legacy to my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I want them to know that they can always trust God. That He’s there regardless of the circumstances. I want to model a life that lives out the belief in the words of Romans 8:28—that ultimately all things work together for good when we love God and live our life according to His purpose.

What legacy do you want to leave? What legacy did your great-grandparents and grandparents pass on to you?

Is there any specific Bible verse that you’re praying for your grands?

Have a great week,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com

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Related posts:

Grandparents are Special
What Does Grandparenting Mean
Why are Grandparents Special?


© 2008 by Mary May Larmoyeux. All rights reserved.
Photo © 2008 by Mary May Larmoyeux

The Baton of Legacy

Tuesday’s Thought

Everyone who submits a comment (or e-mail) from October 21-December 5 will be entered into a drawing. The winner will receive a copy of While They Were Sleeping: 12 Character Traits for Moms [Grandmoms] to Pray and “What God Wants for Christmas.” I’ll draw a name on December 6 and will announce the winner’s name in the December 8 blog.

As our family was enjoying turkey and dressing last Thursday, I recalled a Thanksgiving Day about 15 years ago. My mom and dad were visiting for the holidays and our sons were in school.

We were sharing our blessings and my dad said he was thankful that he had a good wife. Mom couldn’t understand him. “What?” she asked. “You want a new wife?”

We leaned back in our chairs and laughed, and a Thanksgiving memory was etched on our hearts.

When I think of Mom and Dad, I can still see them holding hands (even after being married for 50 years) and kneeling side-by-side at the foot of their bed to pray. I can see Mom wipe a tear from her eyes and can hear her say, “I still miss him [my dad] so much."

Flash forward to Thanksgiving 2008— Our sons, their wives, and our five grandchildren are gathered around our table with Pops and me. My dad is in heaven and Mom can’t travel any more. Life has changed, but Mom and Dad's legacy of devotion to one another, love of family, and devotion to God has not.

Psalm 78:4 says, "We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”

Jim and I are now the grandparents. The baton of legacy is in our hands. It is up to us to tell the next generation.

He is able,
Mary
www.marymaywrites.com
http://grandconnection.blogspot.com

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The Queen is Coming: What legacy do you want to leave?

Tuesday’s Thought (May 27, 2008)


Whether you’re called Nana, MeMaw, Grannie, Gramps, or Pops—you’re special in the life of your grandchild.

The Grand Connection is a blog where we can share ideas about grandparenting—especially ones that will help us pass spiritual values and family stories to the next generation.

On Tuesdays, I’ll ask a question or two—and would love to hear your comments. (Tuesday’s Thought)

On Fridays I’ll share something fun to do with the grands—and would love to hear your ideas. We can learn from one another. (Friday’s Fun)

As a child, I was one of those kids whose grandparents literally lived across the street. Well, at least for a few years. Then they moved a few blocks away. Our sons weren’t that fortunate because their grandparents lived in another state.


The Reunion

Not too long ago our family had a reunion. One of the highlights was when my mother entered the room. The great-grandkids had all colored pictures for her and several held flowers. As the little ones were waiting for their great-grandmother to arrive (my brother was bringing her to the hotel where we were visiting), you could hear excited echoes throughout the room of, “She’s coming, she’s coming."

As Mom joined the family, there was something good and right about showing honor and respect to her—the oldest member of our family. The one who has made countless sacrifices for every one of us. The one who knows the stories of six generations. The one who says over and over, “Things have a way of working out,” because she’s seen God’s faithfulness in the good and the bad times of life.

I want to join Mom and pass on her legacy to my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I want them to know that they can always trust God. That He’s there regardless of the circumstances. I want to model a life that lives out the belief in the words of Romans 8:28—that ultimately all things work together for good when we love God and live our life according to His purpose.

What legacy do you want to leave? Is there any specific Bible verse that you’re praying for your grands?

He is able,
Mary
http://www.marymaywrites.com/