Tribute to Grandma Beckman

I was extremely blessed when it comes to grandparents. Not only were they all wonderful and an active part of my life, but I got to have them here with me on earth well into adulthood. This past Friday my final grandparent passed away to be with Jesus.

I remember sleeping over at my grandparents’ house, hearing the Johnny Carson show playing on the television as I drifted off to sleep. My grandma always had these long ruffly nightgowns for me to wear, and she would recite the story of “Epaminondas” before bed. And there were cookies. We always made cookies, and all of a sudden being in charge of sifting became the greatest honor you could receive.

For breakfast there was always cinnamon toast - cut into strips, not sliced diagonally. We would play Candyland, and learn all about the wonders of Aloe Vera and vinegar, and suck on hard candies that were always found in a Tupperware in the bottom cabinet.

I don’t remember a single time that Grandma Beckman ever got cross, raised her voice, or got upset with me. She was always smiling peacefully, an inner light shining out; a rare beacon of patience in this rushed and frenzied world. When she said she was praying for you, you knew she was, and she never let you leave without a “God bless you!” Even when I visited her, essentially on her deathbed, morphine pulsing through her cancer-filled body, causing an intense itching from an allergic reaction and barely able to open her eyes, “God bless you!” came out loud and clear as I said my good-bye and headed out the door. Even then, in that moment, she was smiling and emanated a peace from within.

A few years ago I took dinner over to my grandma. She had started feeling weak and unwell, and it had lasted a while at that point. I told her that I hoped she would get well soon and she said, “Oh, I don’t. I feel so much closer to God in times like these.” I was floored. Who says something like that, but what’s more, who truly and deeply believes it? Grandma Beckman.

A couple months ago, years after her initial decline in health, we all received a call that grandma had summoned the priest for last rites because she thought Jesus was calling her home. We all went and visited, and one of my aunt’s said she would stay the night so grandma wouldn’t be alone. Grandma’s response? “Oh it’s alright, I won’t be alone, God will be with me.” The amount of faith and confidence she had is mind-blowing to me. What a beautiful testament she served to her 6 children, 11 grandchildren, and 11 great-grand children - not to mention anyone who simply knew her.

She always knew exactly what was going on with each of us, and really took the time to listen and visit with us when we were together. When I walked in for my last visit grandma said, “Am I still alive?” Shocked and a bit concerned, I said, “Um…yes, grandma, why?” “Because they say when you go to heaven you get to see all the people you love, and I see so many people I love.” “Well yes, grandma, you’re still alive, and there are so many people because you are loved!”

I know that grandma had just as many people waiting for her in heaven too though, and she was very pumped to be with Jesus. I hope that when my time comes I can be even half as beloved as my Grandma Beckman, and have just a fraction of her peace and confidence. What an example she set for us all, and how lucky I was to call her grandma.