“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3

I slipped a pussy willow sprig from her funeral basket and whispered my plans in our granddaughter’s ear. “We’ll plant it soon, in remembrance of Mammie.”

So, I set that brown twig with soft-as-a-kitten buds in a bottle of water near a sunny kitchen window and prayed it grow roots.

Buds continued erupting from the base of that brown stick to the top as it simply sat and drank. 

Every time our granddaughter visited over the next few weeks we talked about that pussy willow branch – touched the soft buds, looked for roots, and remembered Mammie in heaven. And, every day I washed the dishes it caught my eye and I’d remember Mammie – giving thanks for the godly daughter she raised for my son and the times we celebrated our grandchildren together. 

Soon, all the buds dropped and scattered across the kitchen counter leaving a lifeless looking branch. But, I still hoped and let it sit and soak – scheming to buy one at the garden store if this poor branch never rooted because I promised we’d plant our Mammie bush. 

Roots appeared just in time for Mother’s Day! We planted them in fertile soil…

 …poured living water all around…

  …and remembered Mammie.

Just like this branch, when we sit and soak and drink in God’s presence – our Living Water – we grow and bear much fruit. 

Mammie planted her feet deep near the stream of Living Water, Jesus Christ. She never feared the heat or drought and the standing-room-only attendance at her memorial service testified to her fruit bearing life. 

Now as summer approaches and the grandchildren we shared play in the shadow of this bush, we’ll stop and give thanks for every remembrance of her. 

What are some ways you help your children or grandchildren remember loved ones who’ve passed?