To Grandmother’s house we go!  When I was a l child, we did take the “Over the River and Through the Woods” trip to get to my grandmother’s house.  No, it wasn’t in a horse drawn sleigh.  It was a Chevy, always a Chevy, crammed with kids sitting in the back seat and Mom’s lap.  Just the tops our heads peeped over into the car door windows adding an element of mystery to the trip.  We never could see where we were going but knew that if it was a Sunday afternoon or a holiday, it was probably to my grandparents’ home.

My grandparents lived on a farm at the top of a hill with a sweeping view of the countryside in the little village of Alton, Rhode Island.  It was a working farm in the sense that it supplied the necessities of life for the family:  milk, eggs, an occasional pig and the summer garden vegetables.  My grandfather worked in the lace mill down in the village to earn an income for the other provisions for his large family. 

Both grandparents were immigrants from Canada – down to the States for a better life for their families.  Their lives in Canada weren’t oppressive but there were too many family members and not enough opportunities.  The United States was the land of opportunity.  They had little formal education.  Both spoke only Canadian French when they arrived in the States.  Funny thing about my grandfather was that when he did learn to speak English, he learned from the other mill workers, who were from England, so he spoke with a British accent!

Devotion to God was paramount.  They began and ended their days in prayer and thanksgiving to God. My grandmother would gather her brood around her every morning before school for family prayer.  Then again in the evening, the ritual was repeated.  With nine children!

On Sunday, they would journey to the little church in the next village about ten miles away.  Rain or shine!  Snow or sun!  In whatever vehicle was available.  I was the beneficiary of this devotion as my mother was equally devout.

 They “feared” the Lord, which means that they respected His power and believed in His omnipotence and were willing to be obedient to His will.  They had a simple yet strong faith in God and Jesus Christ as our Redeemer.

At this special time of the year, when I think about what I am thankful for, I begin my list with my relationship with God and the gift of His freely given grace, followed closely by family and the love passed to me, friends, and lots of other items.  Then I end the list with God again because I know my life begins and ends with a loving, caring God.

Yes, God does love us unconditionally! 

Terri