Legacy
I would not have thought that my first blog of squad leading would be written from here in Montana. But here I sit at my parent’s house enjoying the crisp fall air, leaves changing colors, and enjoying coffee from my favorite mug.
I came home this week to attend my Grandma Erickson’s funeral. Funerals are weird events that signify the finality of a life; and no matter what kind of life the person lived or how old they were, funerals always seem harsh and out of place. They are a mix of the ruthless reality of a concluding goodbye and the joy of remembering a life lived.
My Grandma lived a good life. If there were ever two people who lived there life devoted to spreading the Gospel it was my Grandma and Grandpa Erickson. Together they started bible camps, churches, Christian Radio stations, and a retreat center called Mountain Top. My Grandpa was a visionary who loved the idea of starting a new project and my Grandma was his loyal administrator and hospitality expert. Together they spent their life raising six kids and living out the call Jesus placed on their lives.
Many of my memories from childhood are ones of Grandma and Grandpa. I spent the first few years of my life running wild in the woods of Mountain Top and going over to Grandma’s house. I remember going over for cookies and her trying to teach her disorganized granddaughter how to color in the lines or play the piano. We would go for walks together to find Grandpa and collect wild flowers for the table. As I grew up traditions with her changed. We always watched Anne of Green Gables and played Dominoes whenever we would go to her house. And boy did Grams get competitive when the game of Dominoes was out, but no worries I could always match it and pull some good trash talk out of her. I always thought Family holidays with the Erickson tribe were fantastic. Times changed; the family grew older, Grandma and Grandpa moved to Big Forks and after Grandpa passed away Grandma moved to Wyoming. Despite life’s changes there were always things about Grandma I would count on. She would always give you a big hug, kiss on the cheek and say “there is one of my favorite people”. Her house was always welcoming and no matter what house it was there was always same smell and the same sound of the old grandfather clock.
In the last few years as she struggled to stay present in the reality of the world around her, never once did I have to question whether or not she knew who I was. She might not have remembered my name but she could always crack a joke about who I was. I told her I was squad leading and they were going to let me lead 50 people around the world. She smiled and said “well someone has got to keep things fun”.
I sat in with the family up at Mountain Top on Monday night. I sat in a room that my dad and Grandpa put the man power in to build, surrounded by my family who are pastors, missionaries, men who are dedicated to raising strong families, and women we have followed in their mother and grandmothers footsteps of furthering the love of Jesus. What a legacy Grandma Beulah and Grandpa Harold left behind. A legacy like that does not happen on accident.
Thank You Grandma. Thank you for your legacy you gave us all. Thank you for all the prayers you send up for us grandkids. One thing we always knew is that Grandma was praying for us. NEVER doubt the power of a praying grandma. I truly believe her prayers have helped shape the life I have chosen to live.
Thank you. Thank you for the life you lived, for your service to the Lord and this family. Thank you for your sarcastic wit, and love of card games. Thank you for your love and kindness to us all.
I am blessed to call you my Grandma.
Love
NIka
Thank you to everyone who helped me get home to be with my family this past week it has been a huge blessing. I am so glad I got to come back to Montana for a quick minuet.
