Grandma Grace

One week ago today, we laid Grandma “Top” to rest in the Doon cemetery,
not far from where Grandpa & Grandma VE and baby Emily are buried.
Rev. Engelsma comforted and encouraged us with a message based on Proverbs 3:5&6…

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

He spoke of how the Lord had ordained every moment of Grandma’s life,
from her birth through the unexpected stroke that left her unresponsive ‘til she took her last breath, when He took her by the hand and led her Home.
He reminded us that God has not forsaken those of us left behind,
and will continue to guide our steps going forward.
Even those of Grandpa, who now goes on without his dear wife of 56 years.
She was the perfect match for him, laid-back, calm, and full of grace. Her name fit her well. They did everything together, from gardening to exercising and even grocery shopping. Those of us who know and love him don’t know how he’ll manage without her,
but we know that by God’s grace, he will.

As I paged though old photo albums, searching for photos and memories of Grandma,
it struck me how few pictures there were of her. There are many photos of happy birthdays, Sunday night get-togethers, and Christmas gatherings... But there are very few pictures of Grandma. She was always there though, always in the background with her sweet smile, taking care of whatever needed to be done in her quiet, humble way.

Here are a few of the ones I was able to find…

Grandpa & Grandma on their 25th wedding anniversary in 1983

 

Four generations… My mom, me, Great-Grandma Bloemendaal, and Grandma VDT
(Evidently I wasn’t too sure about Great-Grandma at the time… although I have fond memories of visiting her at the nursing home as a child. ; )

 

A typical Sunday night at “Grandma’s house”.
From left to right: Erin, Joel, Grandma and Sherry, Sarah, Bethany, and Lanette

 

Kindergarten Graduation
I wore one of the many dresses Grandma VDT sewed for me, complete with a matching hairbow. : ) Grandma VE is pictured here, as she was my kindergarten teacher. The Lord blessed me and my siblings with two wonderful, godly grandmas. They were women who feared the Lord, lovingly serving their families, church, and school.
Both gone to glory; both deeply missed.
It is after these two lovely ladies (Jeanette and Grace)
that our “Jenna Grace” is named.

 

Years later, Grandma sewed all the bridesmaid and flower girl dresses for our wedding. She’s pictured here with Sarah & Bethany during one of many fitting sessions : )

 

Our wedding day, August 2001
with Grandma & Grandpa VDT, Grandma DJ, and Grandpa & Grandma Flikkema
Three of them now gone to glory.

 

For as long as I can remember, my Mom and aunts have been making Grandma & Grandpa a calendar of family photos to be given to them each year at Christmas time. Every so often we look through the binders full of those calendar pages,
and can’t help but smile at the memories of years gone by.

 

Mother-Daughter Banquet at Doon PRC in 2002

 

Grandma & Grandpa at our home in Lansing, IL shortly after Jenna was born in 2003

 

Grandma & Grandpa with Evan James in 2005

 

With Jenna, Evan, and Luke William in 2007

 

With Kara Brielle in 2009

 

At Ryan Perry’s baptism in 2012

 

This photo was taken after Grandpa gave a presentation at NWIPR School on Veteran’s Day in 2012. Grandpa & Grandma are pictured with their grandsons Braden, Andrew, & Jerron, and great-granddaughter, Jenna.
There are now 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren attending this school,
which Grandpa & Grandma have tirelessly supported for many years.
Our kids always looked forward to seeing them when they served hot lunch together, which they did for the last time just over a month ago.

 

 

This is how many of us will remember Grandpa & Grandma… together at the annual school kick-off camping at Newton Hills. They pulled their trusty camper out there year after year, and spent the days relaxing together in the shade. They were always the first ones up in the morning. By the time the rest of us were rolling out of bed, Grandpa had a roaring fire going, and Grandma had a pot of coffee hot and ready to be shared.

 

 

One of my favorite photos of Grandma & Grandpa…
watching their grandkids & great-grandkids in a pedal pull at Doon Days
on a scorching hot day in July 2014. : )

 

 

Grandpa & Grandma’s 50th anniversary photo, August 2008

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To read Grandma’s full obituary click here.

To read my sister Sarah’s beautiful post about Grandma, click here.

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Looking forward seeing Grandma again one day…
and what a day that will be!