My Inbox of Daily Inspirations: Daily Heartlight -- February 11, 2008

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February 11, 2008

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=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================

Twenty-Five, by Phil Ware

When I was twenty-five, my father died after battling a chronic illness
for ten years. We were deeply grieved and also relieved -- relieved for
dad, he was more than ready to go home to the Lord and relieved for mom
who had so valiantly cared for him. Then three years later, twenty-five
years ago on February 12, mom remarried a great man whom we had known
for years. His wife, Nell, had died of cancer. His kids had been our
friends years earlier when we lived in the same town.

Now, more well over twenty grandchildren later, Margaret and Grady
Jolly are celebrating their silver anniversary. Unfortunately I won't
be there to celebrate. I'm off to Uganda with Compassion International
to do what mom and dad had trained me to do -- care for those who need
God's care and grace. What a great blessing their marriage has been to
all of us! They live in an old farmhouse just outside of town. Instead
of growing up without a grandfather nearby, our children have been
blessed by Grady. My mom has always had a way of sharing faith with her
grandchildren, and she has been a blessing to our "step-nephews" and
"step-nieces." Our kids grew up going to the farm to spend time in the
summer with Mimi and Grandfather, surrounded by their love, faith, and
wisdom.

When they married, I'm not sure any of us anticipated that they would
share twenty-five wonderful years together, but they have. Working with
Meals on Wheels, helping those who are hungry at the food pantry,
teaching classes, visiting the sick, and encouraging those in need of
support, these two have been a blessing to hundreds upon hundreds.
There is no telling how many university students have eaten at their
table over the years. What a blessing these twenty-five years have
been!

When they married, Mom and Grady were supported by pretty much everyone
in their decision except for two in the family who had a bit of
reluctance. One was mom's mother-in-law; we called her Granny. The
other was Grady's father-in-law; we called him Pap-Paw. Each had lost
both their spouse and their child. I know it had to be hard to watch
and wonder how Mom and Grady's families would blend and how they would
fit. To our great amazement, about a year after Mom and Grady married,
Pap-Paw was driving from Abilene to San Antonio to court Granny. Before
long, they married -- yeah, try to figure out our family tree with my
Grandmother marrying my step grandfather: we are all our own cousins!
They enjoyed wonderful years together and our family grew closer and we
shared even deeper bonds.

What an unexpected blessing!

So while I am far away, doing what I've learned from them to do, I want
to say, "Happy Anniversary! Thanks for the great example, the
overflowing love, and for the blessing of being family. We all love
you!"

And for those who struggle with parents who re-marry late in life,
please know that for many of us, this has been a great blessing and
wonderful opportunity for our kids to learn the preciousness of family
love.

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Keep up with Phil's Trip to Uganda on His Blog:

http://blogs.heartlight.org/phil

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Daily Heartlight -- February 11, 2008