As I write this, I am sitting at the desk my granddaughters have set up for me in the dining room of their home. They were excited to show me this surprise. They know that when Grandma comes to visit, she usually spends some time on her computer doing writer things. Here’s my new desk supplied with glue sticks and tape with a little bit of fall and Christmas thrown in for good measure. Maybe the glue sticks and tape are to help me when my story starts to fall apart.
If you’re wondering about the title for this blog post, it has to do with things we do when we love someone. My granddaughters love me, so they wanted to do something special for my visit, especially since I haven’t seen them since January. This is long overdo visit because we normally get to see them several times a year even though we live on opposite sides of the US. Because of Covid 19, our scheduled visits have been curtailed. Even this visit has meant braving a nearly five-hour plane ride preceded by an almost two-hour drive to the Phoenix airport and waiting in the airport for another two hours because we had no idea how long it would take us to get through security. So that means seven hours with a mask. Here I am in my mask.
I must say I look a little scary. Is there a smile or a frown behind that mask? It’s been almost five hours since I took off that mask, and it still feels like I’m wearing it. Thankfully, we got a reprieve from wearing the mask when we ate or drank something. Then there’s the other scary thing. Were we in contact with someone who has Covid 19? In fourteen days we should have the all clear just about in time for the trip home. Thankfully, New Jersey took Arizona off their quarantine list, so we didn’t have to self-isolate when we got here.
In addition to my desk, the granddaughters made our room special with folded towels and turn down service with a chocolate on the pillow.
The grandgirls were nearly in tears when they thought we might not get to come. My husband had cataract surgery five days before our trip was scheduled. The doctor assured him he could fly following the surgery. On my hubby’s follow-up visit on the day after surgery, the doctor discovered that my husband had a viral infection in his eye. We didn’t know what that meant for our trip, especially when we discovered that the medicine he needed to treat it was hard to come by. Thankfully the pharmacist worked diligently to track down the medication at a distant pharmacy on the opposite end of town. Praise God the medicine began working almost immediately, and the following day the doctor cleared my husband for the trip.
We’ve been enjoying our stay at the “Heather Inn” as #1 granddaughter has dubbed it. Here’s the morning note from the hotel manager (AKA #1 granddaughter).
So we braved a long plane ride in the midst of this pandemic, and our granddaughters have made us more than welcome all because we love each other.
When I write a romance novel, I have to figure out what my characters are willing to do for love. Sometimes they have to give up something, and sometimes they have to do something out of their comfort zone. In the case of my latest book, Second Chance Forgiveness, both the hero and the heroine have to let go of impressions from the past. You can use the link to read an excerpt and find buy links.
This is the third book in my Pinecrest series. I’ll be giving away an ebook copy of the first book in the series, Second Chance Love, to one person who leaves a comment. What is something you have done for love?
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. When she’s not writing, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels.
Hi Merrillee! Your post today touched the heart. From your travel adventures and your delightful stay at Heather Inn. Swiss hospitality at its finest. The chocolate on your pillow and the note are sweet (pun indented). During this unusual time, one finds humor, love and grace in small touches. But what really touched the heart was your gut wrenching question: What are you willing to do for love? What are you willing to give up? – Why gut wrenching question? 2020 has been an unusual year for our family. Our middle son went through a gut wrenching divorce, where he had to fight for joint custody of his 3 year old daughter. His ex never was willing to do something for love or was willing to give something up. Over their ten year marriage, he never could give enough to meet her many demands. A bigger diamond, a new job (principal, teaching wasn’t enough), a different house to rehab, dining out, marriage counseling (for him, not both). Such a contrast to my oldest son, who will be celebrating his 20th anniversary in October. Their marriage had some trying times. Daughter-in-love call our hubbies at times grumpy bears. But she was willing to give up some family time, so Matt could follow his dreams. Yesterday after two years of flight and book lessons, Matt received his Private Pilot’s license. She and the family were at the airport as he made the final two landings needed to pass his check ride. Love is a choice – willing to do something outside of one’s comfort zone, willing to give something up, willing to forgive even when one wasn’t at fault. Kids do it so naturally. A work space for grandma including glue sticks, a note and chocolate on the pillow. Enjoy Heather Inn. Enjoy the beautiful fall weekend. Best wishes and Happy Writing. Glad your hubby’s cataract surgery was a success.
What is something I have done for love? I got a job as a telemarketer. My then fiance told me he wouldn’t marry me without a full time job, and being young, there weren’t a ton of jobs at my disposal. So I became a telemarketer selling everything from credit cards to insurance. The relationship didn’t work out, but I got gained a whole lot of sympathy for those making those annoying phone calls.
What thoughtful and sweet granddaughters. It’s clear you are loved very much.
I love how precious your granddaughters welcome to you was. They showed their love and happiness at having you visit. Looking forward to reading your book.
Oh, your granddaughters are so sweet! And the Heather Inn! Precious!!
As to what I’ve done for love, I’ve done a lot of little things. I’m always making meals, snacks, getting drinks, cleaning up messes — for the entire family.
One time when my oldest boy had just started walking, we were at a picnic with my best friend and her family. They had a picnic table out on their porch. It was the perfect weather. But my boy decided to take a tottering step off the steps. I was watching and — contrary to my normal freezing reaction — I dove and grabbed him, holding him up as I slid down the stairs. My poor knee was all torn up. But he was fine. I count that as my supermom moment. (I won’t mention the other times I missed.)
How sweet of your granddaughters! One thing I’ve done for love is be home with my Mom as caregiver for the last 8 years. After being home with her for a year, I decided to become an insurance agent so I could make a little money while home with her. This year, I also started my proofreading business, something I can do from just about anywhere.
Renate, thanks so much for your wonderful comments. Love is hard sometimes, and you are so right that it is a matter of give and take. Always.
Rachiel, thanks for sharing that. I’ve never been a telemarketer, but my brother did that for a while. It is a tough job and one that doesn’t get much appreciation.
Kimberly, thanks. They are a delight in my life.
Bernice, thanks so much. I hope you enjoy the book.
Lila, it is amazing how sometimes we can do what seems impossible to save our kids from a disaster.
Trudy, thanks. Being a caregiver is a pure act of love. I’m glad you were able to find something you can do from home.
This Grandma loves when her grandkids wait on her. Grandkids are so, so , so wonderful. Our four-year-old grandson is asking me now about all kinds of vegetables from Kids Learning Tube. He is confusing me. haha
So precious and sweet ❤️
Moments to cherish!
Thank you for sharing.
Moved 1500 miles from rural Michigan to urban Texas. He braved itvout 5vyears. I have been here 19 years.
Merrillee what wonderful surprises that your granddaughters had in store for you! I bet you that warmed your heart to no end :-) I’m so glad that you and your husband were able to take a much needed trip to see loved ones, I’m sure they were just as happy to see you guys too.
My husband will do things for me when he really doesn’t want to, so I in turn choose to do the same for him. There have been times when I’m too tired or not in the mood, but God gently reminds me and asks a hard question “would your husband do (whatever it might be) for you”? The answer is always YES, so I sacrifice (willingly and lovenly surrender) my own will and want to meet his need. It’s often a sacrifice of my time, willingness & yes even surrender on my part….but you know what, that’s what love is suppose to do. We made 1 Corinthians 13 our marriage scripture (the love chapter). Is it always easy? Not on your life….it can be a choice between MY happiness or HIS happiness. I will most always choose HIS happiness over mine :-) Now, of course, there are many times when it’s easy to show love in some tangible way to my husband and those are delightful! I find when I surrender what I want to do to please him or show him my love, God blesses me. And I feel really good to boot! Bringing a smile to his face and a “thank you” spoken to me does wonders for my heart :-)
I’ve heard love is a choice, and I find that to be true! Jesus chose to love us so much as to die for our sins…why would I not want to follow that example for people in my own life? Even to the point of “dying” to my own needs & wants.
Love this post! Reminds me of my grandsons when I get to visit.
Things done for love . . . The first that comes to mind is continuing a relationship and eventual marriage to a man diagnosed with brain cancer. After already being widowed once, I was fully aware of what I was facing. Friends tried to talk me out of staying with him, but I told them you don’t stop loving someone because they are ill. After the surgeons declared him in remission, most likely for years, we married. However, the tumor surprised his doctors, and my husband passed away four months after our marriage. Did I regret a single moment? Absolutely not. I was able to care for him – and love him – much better as his wife rather than just a woman friend. His only other family, his seventy-six year old mother. She would have been hard pressed to care for him.
We took in two children, twins, 15 1/2 years ago when their parents weren’t taking care of them. They were 2 when they moved in. Our own children were 18 and 21. I always said we moved ’em out and we moved ’em in. They are 17 now. The boy broke out hearts last year and moved back to his biomom. The girl is still with us and doing well.
The very center of my experiences of doing something for love is the choice to be there when my loved one is in need. Details aren’t appropriate or even necessary, really. However, my wife and I have both been through times when we needed help to deal with life. By God’s grace, we have both made that choice, knowing that the long view of compassion and faithfulness would be the most precious treasure. Time has shown that to be true. Whether it’s sickness or health, richer or poorer or the shadow of death around us, the choice to stay committed to each other under the guiding hand of God has brought a sense of peace now and hope for the future.
The love spoken of in 1 Corinthians 13 is not passion or friendship or even belonging. It is the unilateral choice of the lover to seek out and work for the well being of the beloved. It flows from the nature of the lover, not from the worthiness of the beloved. It is God’s love for us and the deepest love in a marriage relationship. It is the kind of love that holds marriages together. We are all faced with times when staying together can only be achieved by a choice. That is the agape love of God. It is the reason that the other kinds of love can be hoped for. It is the reason we seek to forgive (which is a whole other topic unto itself!).
Do I express that love every time? Not by a long shot. I’m way too selfish. But that is my standard and that for which I pray (when I’ve got the guts). It could be cleaning up after sickness or comforting devastating loss. By His grace, so may we all.
I moved to another state when I married my husband.
That’s so sweet of your granddaughters! I’m glad you could visit them. I try to do little things that I know others like, because I love them, like folding clothes a certain way or watching certain TV shows.
Love that the grands are going out of their way to make you feel loved and welcome! Enjoy!
Wow, how very sweet of your granddaughters, I am so happy and you and your husband were able to go visit them. God is Good. Enjoy your visit with your Precious family. Your book sounds intriguing and the cover is Beautiful. My husband and I decided together that our 2 children needed one of us at home, so we decided that I would be a full time mom, and that has been the Best thing I have ever done. We did this for Love , our children always had everything they needed plus more and we made it with one income all throughout their growing up years. (not entering the giveaway for the ebook, but Thank you, I don’t read ebooks at all. )
Natalya, you’re welcome. They certainly are moments to cherish.
Jennifer, that’s a big move.
Trixi, so true. Jesus shows us the greatest example of love. Sacrifice for others.
Cecilia, thanks for sharing that loving story.
Karen, taking in someone in needs definitely shows love.
Lincoln, yes, Jesus has set the standard for us to show love.
Denise, moving to a new place can be hard.
Megan, sometimes it’s just the little things we do that show others we love them.
Thanks so much, Pam.
Alicia, yeah, it can sometimes be a sacrifice to have one parent stay at home, but it can be so worth it.
It’s very sweet your granddaughters made you a special computer desk area for when you go spend time with them. Not many grandmothers can go spend much time with there grandkids. You are very lucky!!
One thing that I did for love tonight was to take my younger daughter’s clothes out of the dryer and put her other things into the dryer. She unexpectedly had to go in to work this afternoon. And this same daughter made me breakfast this past Mother’s Day. I hope you have a great vacation! It’s obvious that you’re wanted and welcome there!
How sweet, there is something very special about the grandparent grandchild bond. When I was very young I weeded Grandma’s front garden during her nap. I was so proud of removing all the weeds. She thanked me and gently explained they weren’t weeds, rather chrysanthemum. We replanted them together and she taught me much more as I grew up.
Congratulations ,Merrillee ! Thanks for sharing your story !
Sandra, yes, grandkids are the best.
Janie, you’re welcome!
Dianne, that is so sweet. Nothing better than visiting grandkids.
Laurel, doing the little things can mean so much.
Amy, we are very blessed to be able to travel that distance to see them.