Legacy

Matthew 7:16-20


¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

I read this scripture at my grandma's funeral.  It is originally a text teaching about recognizing the difference between false and good prophets.  We talked a lot about how it applies to people in general.  If we are a tree that is growing upward and downward, we will branch out and produce much good fruit, affecting many people's lives in positive ways.  These "fruit" will then produce seeds and create new trees, multiplying the effect. 

The sun is an imperative ingredient in the process of photosynthesis, providing food and nutrients for the tree.  The tree grows tall and the branches spread out seeking this sun.  Likewise, a person should consistently seek the Light of God (the Son) by communicating directly with Him and by building relationships with others that point us to God. 

A tree must also receive water and nutrients from the soil.  In order to do this effectively, the roots must branch out underground in many directions.  This also helps to support the tree as it grows. 

Grandma and Grandpa put down roots in Minnesota.  They lived there their whole lives and invested in their community.  This was evidenced by the presence of people from Coca-Cola (my grandfather's workplace for over 30 years), Boy Scouts (a long-time commitment by both of them and their 6 boys), Lion's Club, residents from the Co-op where Grandma lived, old neighbors and friends from the boys' childhood (They are all over 50 years old now.), and many others.  Additionally, over 60 sons, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren and their spouses, and great-children were in attendance.  Grandma was actively involved in each of our lives, even those of us that lived far away.  She remembered everything and cared about everybody.  She has left us a legacy to continue.  We will miss her.



Unexpected

This week has been really hard and really wonderful all at the same time.  On Monday night, we all found out that my last living grandmother, my Dad's mom, had passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.  I was already dreading the emotions that were sure to come the next day when I attended my friend's memorial service.  At this point, I said, "just forget it....I'm not going.". 


We were all really shocked as Grandma (who lives in a co-op near Minneapolis, MN), though 86, had just spent time with much of the family and was in good health.  She stayed up watching the Vikings game with her friends and apparently got up in the middle of the night and collapsed.  No one was prepared.




My sister called the next morning to make sure that I knew about my friend's passing as we hadn't talked about it.  She encouraged me to go to the memorial service.  I'm glad I did.  I bawled through the whole thing, but it gave me some of the closure I needed and a chance to show support. 


I went to Mom and Dad's afterward and spent the next 10+ hours with them and planning our trip to Minnesota from Florida.  It helped me to talk about things and to have a mission. 


The next day, I spent long hours preparing for our trip among the normal drop off and pick up of the kids.  Again, the busyness was both exhausting and distracting.  It was to be our first trip to this branch of our family since 2004.  Back then, Justin was 4, Rachel a baby, and Hannah not even born.  This would be her first flight.  There would definitely be snow.  Justin didn't want to leave his friends.  A lot of emotion was swirling.  Not much sleep was happening.  The adventure would continue in the morning.