One of the most enduring memories I have of my beloved Granny Griffin, other than playing Yahtzee in her kitchen while devouring her heavenly banana pudding, is the collection of religious décor she had scattered throughout her humble 1950s home in Samoset, Florida. Among other things, Granny had a painting of an elderly woman and man with heads bowed giving thanks for their daily bread , a rendering of Jesus, a plaster sculpture of praying hands, and a large tapestry of DaVinci’s “The Last Supper” covering the wall behind Granny and Papa’s dueling gold recliners.
My favorite relic of Granny’s, though, was a shiny foil reproduction of Lindberg’s painting “Heilige Schutzengel” (Guardian Angel), which hung in her living room. Nearly every time I went to Granny’s house to visit, I would study that foil angel and the blurry outline of the two young children crossing a perilous wooden bridge over a tempest sea. Unfortunately, when I was 14, I lost my dear Granny. After her death, Papa gave the Guardian Angel picture to my cousin Angie as a keepsake. As the years went by, I would sometimes see variations of the Guardian Angel in people’s homes and churches and, when I did, my mind always turned to Granny and the devotion she had for God, for me, and for her family.
Last year, after a month of dating, Michael invited me and my young daughter over to his home for the first time. We were still in the discovery phase of our nascent relationship and unsure of what the future would hold, both of us scarred from previous failed relationships and both of us single parents to grade school children. Michael took me from room to room to show me his home and pointed out the various renovations he had made. When we reached the living room, I stopped in my tracks. There was Granny’s angel, in all her resplendent glory, still guarding over the children and guiding their every step. “I can’t believe you have that painting, Michael,” I said. He explained that his mother had given him the Guardian Angel at his son’s christening.
God only knows how many reproductions have been made of the Guardian Angel. It has been around for decades, and a Google search yields dozens of links where you can read about the painting or purchase your own copy. The image undoubtedly hangs in thousands of churches, pre-schools, and homes across the U.S. and around the world. But, to me, the Guardian Angel holds special meaning. When I saw her hanging there in Michael’s living room, I couldn’t help but consider it a sign from above that Michael was the man I was supposed to marry. After all, what are angels if not messengers from God, and who was Granny if not an angel?
Now, Michael and I are married, and the Guardian Angel hangs above my daughter’s bed. Every time I see it, I still think of my wonderful Granny and thank her for the message and for continuing to watch over me.
What a coincidence! FYI- I do not believe in coincidences…they are always God trying to get our attention.
I agree, John!
Very sweet and nostalgic with a message that “as he (or she) reckons in his soul,so he (or she) is”…Proverbs 23:7. My Mama always had Jesus and heaven and her family on her mind. I have that picture hanging over my bed and I can sleep in peace at night, knowing my Guardian Angel is watching over me. Maybe…the angel’s name is Beulah! Love you, Mama!
It was apparent in many ways how much Granny and Papa loved Jesus. How fortunate we all were to have been brought up in a Christian environment. We were a family that loved and still loves each other and we all know to put Christ in the center of our lives. I hope we can carry this on through our future generations until Jesus comes to take us to our new homes on high!
Those pictures are memories of good times that were had at granny and papa’s … now that they are gone they stir feelings of hope and love eternal for our children and grandchildren.
great to be reminded of neat things from our past. She was definitely loved.
Mary, thank you for that beautifully written tribute to Grandma. It was impossible to be around her without feeling her consuming love for Jesus and her family. I see a little of her in each and every member of our family. I am a better person because of her and pray that her infectious love for you all will continue to run through me.
Eloquently said, Stevie. 🙂
I loved this post, Marilyn. It was very well written and very moving for all of us that knew and loved Grany and that have the same angel photos in our home. I believe Mom gave one to my daughter and it is still hanging on the wall. I will give one to my granddaughters someday to keep up the tradition and by being the best “Grany” I can be to them.
Thanks, Mel.
Awesome post!!! I loved Granny and Pa like they were my own grandparent…i never knew my grandparents and they were a wonderful role models of how grandparents should be!! I hope to be as great a grandparent as they were!!!
Wonderful memories Marilyn. It’s difficult for me to recall alot of things from so long ago being so young, but you have a gift of bringing them to life and remembering the special details. I also enjoyed seeing their picture again with dualing gold recliners! They loved each other and are loved and missed by us all!
I love heading your blog’s!!This one especially.I never knew my Grandmother or Grandfather.After the passing of my father Samuel Griffin we moved to North Carolina..I was only 3 when my father passed away.I wish I could had know them both..You were blessed to be able to have the time you shared with Grandma Griffin&Grandpa..I have the same angel picture hanging in my home and so did my mother..I often wonder where I got my strong faith and my love for the lord..Now I know..It is passed down through my blood line.I believe in Angels I call them my Friends..I am a Grandmother of 5..I just bought my 7 year old Grand Daughter her first Bible..As I have done with my other Grandchildren..Thank you for sharing this story and there picture.How touching it was for me..