An unexpected Thanksgiving blessing

Our Florida and Kentucky relatives drove through the night to get here last Monday. Their schedule dictated they leave Tuesday morning in order to see other relatives before getting back to jobs.

Arriving with Jim and Sharon were their son, his wife, and their two-year-old daughter whom Mom had never met. We spent most of their visit at the care center. Mom’s 96, so we’re in the habit of treasuring time together, even though most of Mom’s loved ones’ life paces are often set on “zoom.”

Before leaving Tuesday morning, another treasured memory was etched into our minds. Jeff, Mom’s oldest grandson, asked a favor of this grandmother he’d spent summers with while growing up. We’d already laughed about stunts he pulled and stories he’d heard, especially with his grandpa, and of projects he created for Grandma. All three had obviously enjoyed those summers before Dad died. But this was a change of tone.

Jeff, now 40 and 6’4”, stood beside Grandma’s wheelchair, saying he’d been reading in the Old Testament about Abraham. She nodded, realizing Jeff was unable to speak.

So Grandma, with Biblical truths ingrained from years of daily study and teaching, offered, “And Isaac, and Jacob.”

“Yes, Abraham and Isaac,” Jeff started again. “I was wondering, Grandma, if I could ask you a favor.” He stopped, eyes moist, not unlike us who began realizing what Jeff was about to request. “I was wondering if you would be willing to,” but again words failed as Jeff towered gently over Grandma, holding the wrinkled hand that many times helped rock him to sleep and fixed lunch they’d eat in the tree house he’d built on their farm. Emotion choked off his words.

“If she could pray a blessing over you?” I asked.

Jeff nodded, kneeling beside her wheelchair. Through tears he managed to get out, “Grandma, I would be so honored if you would pray a blessing for me like Abraham did for Isaac.”

Instantly Mom wrapped her arms around his head and tenderly said, “Oh, Jeffrey, Jeffrey, Jeffrey.”

Soon she began praying, thanking God for who Jeffrey is and asking His care for him in what the Lord has ahead for him and “his little family.”

I don’t know whether I was moved most because of Mom’s prayer, the image of a humble grandmother prayerfully enfolding her humble adult grandson in her arms, or by the fact of Jeff’s unwillingness to leave his grandmother without asking for her blessing.

Years ago Jeff saw Grandma each Christmas. Life’s no longer so predictable. As a new aeronautical engineering hire, he was twice cut in second rounds of layoffs at both NASA and Lockheed/Rockwell. Odd jobs later, he secured his real estate licensure as that market tanked. Now, he’s just grateful for a job to help provide for his family.

Even with disciplined Christmas spending this year, might this be the year to find a way to give someone your blessing? A blessing shouldn’t rock bank accounts. It’ll outlast other gifts. It could be something most hoped for from you, and it just might carry someone when life gets extra challenging and you’re not there to help.

Can you put anything under the tree more meaningful than that?

Marge Warder is a general assignment reporter. E-mail her at news@redoakexpress.com.