CSMSG Grandparents of Parent Link
The Grandparents of Parent Link met on Sunday, October 21, to pray for our children and grandchildren, for grandparents everywhere, and for the mission of Parent Link—
Empowering Parents to Build Christian Families
. We also made plans for a Movie Night in the Great Hall on Friday, November 9, 7:00-9:00 pm, featuring on the big screen the acclaimed 2018 documentary about Fred Rogers: “
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
”
Charlotte Lanham shared a personal story (see “
Tea for Two
”
, below)
describing a front porch tea party that she experienced with her 3-year old granddaughter, Abbigail. She encouraged all grandparents to begin to write their own stories in order to preserve and pass them on to the next generation. Imagine the pleasure Abbigail will experience in the years to come, when she re-lives this tea party experience in the form of a
story
, written by her grandmother.
Charlotte is currently serving as a facilitator for a MEMOIR class at Lifelong Learning Institute, LLI. (Washington University). She is excited about the possibilities of offering a similar class to the Grandparents of CSMSG, where they will be encouraged to write their personal scripture-inspired stories for the next generation.
For more information about his group, please contact Bruce Springer, Barb Smith, Tim Smith, or Pam Koprowski.
"Tea for Two"
By Charlotte Lanham
My grandchildren know exactly where I hide their blue willow tea set in my house. It is under the stairs in a wicker case, totally within reach whenever they are craving tea and cookies. Recently, I sat on the porch in the shade and indulged myself in every grandmother's fantasy...a tea party with my three-year-old granddaughter.
Abbigail and I found our corner and took our time dividing the dishes and fitting the lids on the teapot and sugar bowl. She hurried inside to get two teaspoons from my sideboard, then returned and busied herself with the formalities of serving tea.
"Sugar, Grandmommy?" she asked. And before I could answer, she stirred a spoonful of imaginary sugar into my empty cup.
"Taste it," she insisted, giggling, and I lifted the tea cup toward my mouth. Then I closed my eyes and pretended to sip the brew slowly, whispering, "Fit for a Queen! The finest in London!" Pleased with that answer, she continued on in play.
And as I watched her, I breathed a prayer. "Lord, bless her with this innocence. Sweeten her spirit with a daily taste of your goodness. Fill her cup continually from the fountain of your everlasting love."
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8
*******
Matthew 13: 34-35 Jesus used stories to tell all these things to the people; he always used stories to teach them. This is as the prophet said: I will speak using stories.” (New Century Version; other Versions use “parables” for “stories”.)
