Monday, February 14, 2005

G'pa McCallum


G'pa McC
Originally uploaded by ragamuffin.
This is one of the later photos of my maternal grandfather, Stanley McCallum. He was a minister, a poet, and a shepherd to the "Little Flock" (Luke 12:32). He lived his life honorably and well and was an example to all of us children.

Unfortunately, at the time this photo was taken he'd developed Alzheimer's Disease, losing almost all, if not all, of what he'd been, intellectually. One thing I've always sorrowed over is I have no memory of him before he became lost in the mists of Alzheimers. All I knew of him from before that time was what those whom he'd helped, who loved and admired him, could tell me. Thankfully, these persons numbered in the hundreds, if not thousands.

One of my sweetest memories of Grandpa was the Lord's Day morning after Grandma died. He stood up (at this time, due to Alzheimer's Disease, he was unable to read) and began quoting the hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross". By the time he got to the words,

"Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an off'ring far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!"

he was in tears, as were we all! He seemed so dazed and lost without Grandma, yet for those short moments, he struggled through that dreadful, wasting illness and spoke his heart, with all it's sorrow and loss, through that hymn. I've always been thankful for God's grace in allowing him to overcome his illness during those sweet sorrow-filled moments.

From my brother, Dan's, family photo website.

Mother as a young woman


Mother as a young woman
Originally uploaded by ragamuffin.

This is a photo of my lovely Mum, before she married my dad. I remember when I was a kid, I saw this photo amongst a box of several old photos. I turned to my Mother and told her I wanted to grow up to be just like her.

Looking at this photo as an adult, I can see how much I've missed out on that childish hope. My Mother is a much better person than I'll ever be. Now that I am older, I still find myself hoping I'll grow into the woman she is today...

(Photo borrowed from my brother, Dan's, family photo website.)

G'pa Oberg w:Dan & I


G'pa Oberg w:Dan & I
Originally uploaded by ragamuffin.
One of only a very few photos of my Grandpa Oberg. He's holding Danny (L) and I (R) when we were about 2yo.

One of my earliest memories was "tying" his shoes (he'd had a stroke and was unable to bend over to do it himself). I was only 3yo, but I could tie using the single bunny-ear method, so that was how I helped my Grandpa.

Becky w:Lucy


Becky w:Lucy
Originally uploaded by ragamuffin.
I recently came across one of my all time favorite photos of my niece, Lucy, (at 4mos old) and my sister, Becky. This was taken 18 years ago when I was in New Zealand, visiting them at their home in Christchurch.

I look at this photo and realize how much I've missed of Lucy's life, and how sorry I am that distance has lead to my not being the auntie I longed to be for her when this photo was taken. Lucy is now entering her first year of college, and I've not seen her since she was about 18 months old, during her last visit to the US. I can't believe how much I miss her and long to see her again.

Because of health problems which have kept me from working consistently, and all the financial issues which arise from this situation, I've not been able to get over to NZ again. I would love to some day get over there for more than just a couple of weeks so I can get to know both Lucy and Sam again, before they are out of the house and married. Oh well, it's something to pray about! The Lord knows my needs, hopes and desires.