My Granny Lowe's Secret

September 5, 2003

            Let me introduce you to my great-grandmother.  Her name:  “Anne Haseltine Langley Lowe.  She had 11 children, washed clothes on a washboard and cooked on a wood burning stove in a modest shanty with no plumbing or electricity.

Although being poor by the world’s standards she had riches untold, being a millionaire when it came to joy and happiness.  She loved to write poetry, most of it written about her children.  Near the end of her life, Grandpa Lowe had her poetry published and gave each son and daughter a book.

Granny Lowe’s indomitable faith enabled her to live a long good life, full of joy, hope, peace and victory.  Being only 12 when Granny Lowe went to that home she used to talk about, I still remember her and the influence she had upon my life.  The lives we live today can affect our families for generations.  The faithfulness of my ancestors reminds me of Deuteronomy 7:9:  “Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.”

I’m thankful that my great-grandmother loved the Lord.  She influenced my grandmother, who influenced my mother, who influenced me. 

In my research I discovered four secrets of Granny Lowe’s happiness:

1.                  Be content with what you have.  (Granny Lowe said “Discontentment breeds misery.)

2.                  Make someone happy.  (Granny Lowe’s statement:  “The happiest person is the one who forgets he or she is alive.)

3.                  Live today.  (Granny Lowe’s motto:  “Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not here.”)

4.                  Make your life a poem someone will want to read at the end of your life.

The last tip is just what Granny Lowe did.  She wrote the following poem in her late eighties.  It reflects her love for God and his faithfulness.  She called her poem “The Springtime of Life.”  It is an honor for me to share it with you for  Grandparent’s Day:

“Oh why should they call it the winter of life

When an old man is left with his old, old wife?

When they have sailed life’s stormy sea together

In all kind of times and cold, cold weather.

They never have had wealth nor fame

But always had an honest name.

They both have done the best they could

To tear down the wrong and build up the good.

Now they have started down the hill.

They strive each day to do God’s will.

When they face the setting sun,

They feel that life has just begun.

Far beyond the sunset there will glow

A brighter world than they now know.

Oh, why should this be the winter of life

When they are done with sin and strife?

For near in sight is the pearly gate

Where loved ones there for them do wait.

Not only loved ones are in sight

But Jesus with his face so bright.

And when they have crossed the last dark stream

And the love of God on them does gleam,

They’ve finished the battle of worldly strife.

I call this the “Springtime of Life.”