Soon after my grandfather and grandmother started dating, my grandmother was diagnosed with polio. If I’m correct, this would have been in the early 50’s and at this point polio was a very serious disease. In fact, my grandmother was quarantined in the hospital for a period of time and not even her mom was allowed in to see her. No one really knew what the future would hold for her but there were many uncertainties.
As I think back to this moment in their lives, I wonder what was going through their minds. What would be going through my mind? They were both young and both had the world in front of them and then all the sudden the future seems to close a little for one of them. Reflecting on my grandfathers position there were a few options he had. There was little commitment in this relationship because they had only been dating for a short while. Polio had many uncertainties to it, and he had his whole future in front of him. I think about how easy it would have been for him to side step the whole issue and gently break her heart. By gently, I mean throwing her heart off the roof of Sears Tower. But that was never my grandfather. Instead of choosing what may seem like the easy road to many, he saw this as a challenge they would face together. He knew it would be difficult, but he knew it would be devastating for her to face it alone. He loved her too much.
What would you have done is his situation? Would you have the willingness to face a life of uncertainties with someone you love? It sounds romantic, and it is, but when you face these situations in real life how do you respond? I see too many people today who would rather throw a person’s heart off the Sears Tower than be the source of strength to their life.
It may have seemed at the time that my grandfather was losing the future that was before him, and it may have seemed as though he would become the strength that would allow my grandmother live. But as time would tell, my grandmother became the wizard behind the curtain of this successful man. Together they owned and operated the most trusted mechanic shop and service station in town, he was mayor of his town for 14 years with her working as his personal assistant, and they raised two daughters that absolutely adored their parents.
Jesus once said, “Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” My grandfather did not lose his life. By leaving behind any selfish ambition in life, he gave hope to another persons life and together they gave life to many.
How about you? Can you be a life giver? Can you stand in the waves of adversity holding onto the hand of someone you love? Or will you choose your own life only to lose it in the end?
Many people came together yesterday to celebrate the life of a man with integrity. Integrity was the word of the day. What will be the word of the day when your life is celebrated?
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