Remembering Grandma McGinty

Garrett's Grandma, Reta, has been sick for quite some time. After her 4th or 5th hospital stay this year, the doctor's determined there was nothing else they could do for her and sent her home on Tuesday with Hospice care. Garrett received a call this morning from his Grandpa letting us know she passed away early this morning.

Although, we knew it was coming, it's still hard to loose someone you love. Even though you know she saw Jesus face-to-face for the first time this morning, you still wish she was here.

Although she was Garrett's Grandma, I loved her like my own - she was just that kind of lady. So, in memory of her, her are a few of the things I loved about Grandma McGinty.

1. She was the perfect example of a servant - she never let us come over to her house without feeding us. Garrett's favorite meal was Crazy Roast! When we needed help moving or watching kids, she volunteered. She watched her neighbor boy after school right up until this year.
   
2. She was an excellent wife - Grandpa was know for crazy adventures (like buying an S-10 Extreme in his late 60s). Grandma always "rolled" with it. If it ever perturbed her, she didn't show it. In fact, she NEVER complained about Grandpa & was always the first to help him out. Even when her health was failing she planned a trip to visit us in Illinois so Grandpa could visit the Air Force Base he was stationed at. When he walked around for hours looking at planes and reminiscing, she patiently sat and waited for him.
   
3. When she prayed, Heaven answered - she was never one of those "I'll be praying for you" people that would get distracted and forget. She prayed and she prayed hard! Her prayers saw Garrett and Hunter through some really rough times. Her prayers softened the heart of Garrett's dad 5 years ago when he accepted Christ. I always knew Grandma was praying for me!
4. She taught me to be tough. When things were tough surrounding Hunter, Grandma was the first one I would run to. She never made me feel bad for being angry or irrational. She would just remind me to trust in the Lord and to keep my composure. "Never let them see you break," she'd say about my "enemies."

I really could go on and on. I'm sure I'll have more to write when we get back from her funeral in Iowa this weekend. I'd appreciate your prayers - especially for her family members who don't have the same relationship with Jesus that she did. We are planning to leave early tomorrow morning for the visitation this afternoon and coming home Sunday.