G-mama's 100th Birthday

 Today would have been G-mama’s 100^th Birthday.

She died four months and one day short of reaching this milestone.

Not to worry, though:

She was more than ready to go.

Last year, when we sang her “Happy Birthday,”

She added a little tag-line that said,
“And please no more.”

 

Many of you got to know G-mama through her

“Interviews with G-mama”

That we started a couple of years ago.

 

During the interview on her 99^th Birthday,

G-mama said that the biggest change she’d seen in her 99 years was

“Computers and all that electrical stuff.

Like being able to talk to people.

Talking pictures and words.

It’s amazing.”

Right up until she died, she was amazed technology.

When she couldn’t be with her family—

Especially during Covid—

Family was able to be with her—

Through talking pictures and words.

 

G-mama also gave some advice during that last birthday interview:

“The golden rule will always be the best.

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

And trust in the Lord with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind and all your strength.”

 

Today, as I reflect on G-mama’s life,

I think that we can be challenged by her words even still.

 

One. As frustrating and damaging as technology can be,

It really is amazing to have talking pictures and words.

We can instantly communicate with people across the globe!

That luxury is truly mind-boggling,

And yet we take it for granted.

So today,

Will you join in me pausing to give thanks for the ways technology can hold us together and

Will you pray with me that technology will be used to advance humanity rather than destroy it?

 

And two. Living the golden rule is hard.

And trusting in God is hard, too,

Especially in a time when it’s hard to know what trust even means.

And yet…

Trusting God to show us how to treat others and then

Treating others with dignity, respect, boundaries, and love is exactly what we need to be doing.

So today,

Will you join me in praying for the strength and courage needed to live out of trust in God and deep love for both self and humanity?

Will you join me in praying for the discernment to know how to balance that love of self with love of humanity, all while being guided by the ultimate love of God?

 

Today, I am thankful for G-mama’s 99 and a half years of life and

For the stories, wisdom, and challenges she left us through her interviews.

 

I hope you are thankful, too.