Grandpa's Music

Growing up, we lived across an alley from my grandparents. During the summer I would often go over to their house, especially in my high school years, and play various games. They were already both retired by then. We might play Yahtzee, various forms of solitaire, or even a card game called “poop on your neighbor” where you try to dump all your cards on someone else. If we weren’t playing games, we often went with my grandpa to the bowling alley for a few games. He even took us flying remote control airplanes a few times. Oh, the time we spent wandering corn fields looking for model airplanes…

Grandpa Kerley was my step grandpa, but he’s the only one I remember. My mom’s real father died of tuberculosis when my mom was young. Grandpa was also a pretty good musician. He played guitar and piano. He loved to do duel “Boggie Woogie” sessions with me. I can’t say I loved it, most likely tolerated it. Hey, it made him happy.

In his later years through the influence of my dad, he gave his life to Christ. I vividly remember him telling me that he went through the “Battle of the Bulge” mostly in WW2 foxhole. He said, “They say there are no atheists in foxholes, but I never really thought about it. I just tried to stay alive”. Now it was different. He started playing in the worship band at the Sothern Baptist Church. Just a guitar a drummer and a piano. Still, he loved it. He started helping other “older“ people. He said it kept him young. When he invited me to join him on Saturdays to help sing (by that time I knew most of the old hymns by heart) I joined him. I really didn’t want to be there, but it meant a lot to him, so I went. Looking back, it is one of my fondest memories of him.

This week at H St, a homeless and under-resourced ministry we volunteer at, we sang one of the old songs by CeCe Winans, Come Jesus Come. It sounded just like the music he used to play. Memories came flooding in and I had to smile. We helped people in the nursing home have those memories too. Grangpa died at age 87 as I remember. Still, his music, his voice, and his care for the elderly are still with me. Thanks Grandpa.

Come Jesus Come

CeCe Winans

Sometimes I fall to my knees and pray

Come, Jesus, come

Let today be the day

Sometimes I feel like I'm gonna break

But I'm holding on

To a hope that won't fade

 

There'll be no war

And there'll be no chains

When Jesus comes

Let today be the day

He'll come for the weak

And the strong just the same

And all will believe in the power of His name

 

One day He'll come

And we'll stand face to face

Come and lay it all down

'Cause it might be today

The time is right now

There's no need to wait

Your past will be washed by rivers of grace

 

Chorus

Come, Jesus, come

We've been waiting so long

For the day You return

To heal every hurt and right every wrong

We need You right now

(Come and turn this around) turn this around

Deep down I know this world isn't home

Come, Jesus, come

Come, Jesus, come

Come, Jesus, come